Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's process for health insurance carriers to credential physicians seeking to join their provider networks. It requires carriers to notify applicants within 30 days if an application is incomplete (or deem it complete if no notice is given), post universal application forms and process details online, and reimburse physicians for services delivered during the credentialing wait period if approved. Physicians changing employers within the state cannot be forced to resubmit applications solely due to the job change. The Department of Banking and Insurance gains authority to enforce these rules and investigate complaints about credentialing violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants or financial assistance to commercial, institutional, and industrial entities. The funds specifically support projects that refurbish or upgrade *existing* electricity generation facilities to modernize, expand, or extend their operational lifespan. Projects must demonstrate measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, potentially through technologies like carbon capture or fuel cells, though combined heat and power facility upgrades are exempt from this requirement. The "Global Warming Solutions Fund" is financed through New Jersey's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires for-profit colleges that convert to nonprofit status to submit their annual IRS Form 990 (a standard nonprofit tax form) to New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education for five years after conversion. The Secretary must review these forms each year to check for misuse of nonprofit funds for private benefit, such as excessive executive pay or personal asset use. If violations are found, the Secretary can recommend revoking the institution's nonprofit status to the Secretary of State. The law applies specifically to institutions converting under New Jersey's nonprofit corporation laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students attending for-profit colleges (proprietary institutions) starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. It redirects the previously allocated funding for these institutions toward the summer tuition aid program, which supports students during summer terms. Current students enrolled in proprietary institutions who received aid before the 2026-2027 academic year may continue receiving grants until they exhaust their eligibility. The change takes effect immediately but applies first to the 2026-2027 academic year.

Maddy summaryS 3731 establishes a Student Tuition Recovery Fund within New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to reimburse students who paid tuition and fees to proprietary (for-profit) colleges that closed or failed. Proprietary institutions must pay an initial $2,500 deposit and then a fee of at least $1 per $1,000 in tuition and fees each semester to fund the program. Students can apply for reimbursement of their economic loss (tuition and fees paid, excluding grants and scholarships) by providing proof of residency, payment, and the reason for their claim (e.g., school closure), with claims accepted within six years of leaving the institution. The fund may also help students seek federal loan forgiveness to avoid repaying loans for incomplete education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities (including proprietary institutions) to notify New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and the State Secretary of Higher Education when the U.S. Department of Education approves a federal "borrower defense" loan discharge for a student. It applies directly to institutions that receive federal loan discharges due to school misconduct, such as misleading practices or poor educational services that harmed students. Institutions must report the discharge approval and specify if the student was a New Jersey resident during enrollment. This ensures state authorities are informed to potentially assist residents with additional support or verification.

Maddy summaryS 3770 establishes a three-year pilot program to fund research and development of nonlethal weapons for law enforcement in New Jersey. The bill creates a $3 million "Non-Lethal Weapons Innovation Fund" to award grants of up to $1 million each to up to three New Jersey higher education institutions. These institutions must submit research plans for weapons designed to incapacitate targets while minimizing fatalities, serious injury, or property damage, with priority given to projects partnering with private companies. A diverse oversight committee - including law enforcement, medical, and civil rights representatives - will review applications, monitor progress through annual reports, and recommend whether the program should continue after the pilot ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's for-profit colleges that grant degrees to spend at least 70% of their tuition and fee revenue on teaching and student support services, such as tutoring, counseling, and career assistance. These institutions must annually report by July 1st to the state's higher education secretary how they allocated tuition and fees, breaking it down into teaching, student support, and advertising expenses. If a college fails to meet the 70% requirement, the state can notify it and, after one year, revoke its license to award degrees. The bill also mandates that college executives with financial stakes disclose those investments to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $20 million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants in New Jersey's fiscal year 2025, specifically to fund summer 2025 semester aid. It directly affects eligible New Jersey college students who received tuition aid in the prior fall or spring semester, are enrolled in at least six credits during summer 2025, and continue in the same undergraduate program. The key provision requires that these students receive 75 percent of the maximum grant amount for which they qualify under current law (instead of the current 50% for 6-8 credits). The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to administer these grants for the summer 2025 term.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3699 bill prohibits rental property owners and property management software companies from facilitating tacit agreements that coordinate rent increases across multiple properties, which reduces competition and raises costs for renters. The law specifically bans the use of software that collects real-time rental data from multiple landlords and uses algorithms to recommend uniform pricing, defining such coordination as a violation of the state's antitrust laws. It also requires state agencies to create a public education program explaining the new rules and how renters can report suspected violations.