Maddy summaryThis bill expands the New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide more funding for security measures at high-risk nonprofit organizations. It increases the maximum grant amount for hiring security personnel to $25,000 per application and for target-hardening equipment to $100,000, while also raising the total annual budget request for the program from $2 million to $14 million. The legislation allows eligible nonprofits to receive multiple personnel grants for different properties in a single year and removes restrictions on receiving both personnel and equipment grants simultaneously. Additionally, the bill establishes specific allocation percentages for the program funds, directing 55% toward security personnel, 36% toward equipment, and 4% toward outreach and administrative support.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes maximum THC potency limits for cannabis products and introduces an excise tax on moderate and high potency items in New Jersey. It directly affects cannabis businesses by requiring them to adhere to these new potency standards and pay the additional tax. The legislation also mandates that the state commission create rules to enforce these limits and collect the tax.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires community management entities in New Jersey to obtain a license before contracting to manage planned real estate developments, such as condominiums and homeowners' associations. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must create a licensing system that includes specific experience requirements and will enforce the rule by prohibiting unlicensed entities from signing new management contracts. Violations of this requirement could result in penalties of up to $4,000 for each contract entered into without a license. The legislation also directs the commissioner to adopt necessary regulations within seven months of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent fund within the New Jersey Department of Education to help public schools support students affected by domestic violence. The fund will be financed through annual state appropriations, federal grants, and other available money, which can be used to provide therapy and trauma-informed mental health services in schools. Additionally, the money may help districts identify resources for unmet student needs and fund the hiring and training of mental health staff. Schools that receive these funds must report to the Department of Education on how the money is spent, while the department determines how to distribute the money among districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill codifies the Attorney General's recommendations to establish a formal process for issuing Amber Alerts when a child is abducted by a family member. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, broadcast media, and the public by creating a standardized protocol for emergency notifications. The law requires that an alert be activated only if specific risk factors are present, such as threats of harm, a history of violence, or the presence of weapons, distinguishing these cases from abductions by strangers. Additionally, the bill mandates that participating media broadcast the alert repeatedly for the first three hours and includes instructions for updating the public with new information.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase penalties for crimes involving heroin and fentanyl while creating new offenses specifically for distributing heroin mixtures. It also aims to make certain defendants eligible for drug court programs as an alternative to traditional prosecution. The legislation achieves these goals by amending state statutes to redefine key terms like "adulterants" and "controlled substance analogs," ensuring that laws cover synthetic variants and fake drugs. These changes directly affect individuals charged with drug-related offenses and the courts that handle such cases.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates accounting as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject to increase its visibility in educational programs. It requires the New Jersey Department of Education to create outreach initiatives that encourage young women and minorities to pursue careers in these fields. The legislation also mandates that institutions of higher education develop strategies to recruit and retain underrepresented students in accounting and other STEM programs. By explicitly including accounting in STEM definitions, the bill aims to broaden career opportunities and address historical underrepresentation in the workforce.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 12-member task force to study how safe students are when schools open and close each day. The group will examine bus loading procedures, traffic congestion around schools, and whether enough police or other staff are present during arrival and departure times. Members include representatives from various education organizations, government officials, and parents, who will work without pay to review current practices and research. The task force must organize within 60 days and submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. Once the report is submitted, the task force will end its work.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill lowers the minimum required liability insurance coverage for autocabs from $1.5 million to $200,000. The change directly affects owners of autocabs operating in the state by reducing the financial protection they must maintain. The legislation amends existing statutes to specify that autocabs must carry policies covering at least $200,000 for bodily injury, death, or property damage per accident. This adjustment aligns the insurance requirements for autocabs with the lower limits set for other non-commercial vehicles in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of Type I and Type II school buses in addition to their existing scheduled checks. The law mandates that these inspections cover vehicle maintenance, emissions, and the review of driver employment and fleet records, with the timing and location determined by the commission. Operators who fail to provide access to buses or records, or who falsify documents, face fines ranging from $50 to $500 per violation. Additionally, the bill allows the commission to designate alternative inspection sites if a school bus operator lacks adequate terminal facilities for thorough examinations.