Maddy summaryS 2623 allows surviving spouses of retired police and fire personnel (PFRS members) who died while receiving accidental disability retirement benefits to enroll in New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) with all premiums paid by the state. It also permits these surviving spouses to continue receiving their pension benefits after remarriage - normally a reason for termination - without losing this benefit. To qualify, the surviving spouse must provide documentation proving the retired member's disability or related complications were a significant factor in their death. This applies to spouses of members who died before, on, or after the bill's effective date, and allows previously terminated pensions due to remarriage to be reinstated upon application.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1454) requires New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to allow students applying for state grants or scholarships to submit a monthly expense and resource statement instead of traditional income verification documents (like tax returns) when their income/assets cannot be confirmed through government records. It specifically mandates HESAA to estimate a minimal standard of living (e.g., housing, food costs) as "in-kind support" if a student reports zero income. This change directly affects students from low-income households or those without verifiable financial documentation, ensuring they are not automatically denied aid. The policy applies to all New Jersey state student aid programs and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to partner with county social services boards to help low-income students access essential support programs like food assistance (SNAP), childcare subsidies, and cash aid (TANF). It mandates colleges and social services agencies to collaborate on streamlining application processes, providing direct student assistance, and identifying gaps in meeting basic needs. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to form partnerships connecting unemployed residents with career-focused college programs. These provisions aim to increase enrollment in social services and improve access to educational pathways for low-income students.
Maddy summaryS 1449 requires governing boards of New Jersey's public colleges and universities to set tuition and fee rates for the next academic year during the Spring semester, after the Governor's budget is released. This change directly affects public higher education institutions by shifting the timing of their fee adoption process. The key provision mandates that boards must finalize rates after the budget is issued and during the Spring semester, ensuring campus communities (students, faculty, staff) are present to provide input. The bill aims to improve transparency and community engagement in tuition decisions, as stated in its legislative purpose. (Bill S 1449, introduced January 13, 2026)
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide specific academic accommodations for students serving in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve). It gives these students options like pass/fail grades, incompletes, or course withdrawals without academic penalty if military duties interfere with classes. Institutions must create clear policies, notify students of their rights, and develop academic contracts with professors to address missed coursework. Additionally, colleges must accept up to 30 credits for undergraduate and 12 for graduate programs based on military training evaluations. The bill directly affects military-affiliated students and all New Jersey higher education institutions.
Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Homelessness Prevention Program to add a new requirement: landlords must pay a fee when filing eviction cases related to unpaid rent. It sets strict eligibility rules for assistance, requiring applicants to be New Jersey residents facing imminent homelessness due to eviction, foreclosure, or inability to pay rent/mortgage, with income capped at 80% of area median income. The program prioritizes vulnerable groups like seniors (62+), people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, and families with children facing separation. Assistance for mortgage issues must be for owner-occupied homes owned for at least one year, and applicants must exhaust other financial resources before qualifying. The bill does not change existing program funding but establishes new administrative criteria for aid distribution.
Maddy summarySJR 42 designates June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials, organizations, and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. It is a symbolic resolution with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes - merely commemorating the issue through designated observance. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to committee.
Maddy summaryS 1476 modifies New Jersey's existing plastic bag law to restrict grocery stores (2,500+ sq ft) from providing standard single-use paper carryout bags. Instead, stores may only offer paper bags containing significant recycled content. This bill targets paper bags specifically, as the legislature found they use comparable energy/resources to plastic bags and contribute to pollution. The law aims to reduce single-use plastic and paper waste while promoting recycled materials, affecting all qualifying grocery stores statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1489) increases the percentage of partial payments withheld by New Jersey government agencies from 2% to 10% for certain construction and repair contracts over $100,000. It directly affects contractors working on public infrastructure projects who agree to have payments withheld until project completion. The key change requires agencies to withhold 10% of each partial payment instead of 2%, with all withheld funds released within 45 days after final acceptance. The bill also updates maintenance bond requirements to remain at 100% of project costs for up to two years. This amendment applies to contracts entered into after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryS 2714 requires New Jersey electric power suppliers and gas suppliers to charge residential customers rates equal to or lower than the established "basic generation service" or "basic gas supply service" rates under existing law (P.L.1999, c.23). This bill directly affects residential utility customers by capping their electricity and gas supply charges at the current basic service rate level. The key mechanism prohibits suppliers from charging more than these baseline rates for residential service, regardless of market conditions. The bill does not alter the basic service rates themselves but prevents rate increases above them for residential customers. It is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.