Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain New Jersey school districts that will lose state aid to submit their budgets after the state's FY2025 budget is finalized. It specifically applies to districts where the state aid reduction exceeds their unused tax authority (known as "banked cap" under current law). The Commissioner of Education must permit these districts to submit budgets within five days after the FY2025 appropriations act is enacted, and may adjust the budget calendar to create a compressed timeline for approval. The change applies only to the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires professional firefighters in New Jersey who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) but not enrolled in it (due to waiving coverage) to receive regular cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after their employment begins. The screenings must cover 11 specific cancer types - including colon, lung, breast, and prostate - without any out-of-pocket costs for the firefighters. Public employers not participating in SHBP must provide these screenings and can be reimbursed by the state up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period. Similarly, employers participating in SHBP must cover screenings for firefighters who waive SHBP, with the same reimbursement eligibility up to $1,250 per firefighter.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands "Daniel's Law" to prohibit disclosure of home addresses and unlisted telephone numbers for municipal court administrators and deputy court administrators. It extends the existing protections of Daniel's Law, which already covers judicial officers, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, and prosecutors, to include these municipal court administrators. The law creates a process for requesting redaction of this personal information from public records and imposes penalties for unauthorized disclosure. This change aims to enhance the safety of these public officials by preventing their personal information from being publicly accessible.

Maddy summaryS 3230 clarifies that law enforcement officers employed by schools, colleges, or universities in New Jersey may carry firearms on campus while performing their duties or commuting to/from work, without needing additional written authorization. This bill amends New Jersey's weapons law (N.J.S.2C:39-5(e)) to explicitly exempt these officers from the general prohibition against firearms in educational institutions. The exemption applies only to officers who have completed approved firearms training and are acting within their official duties. This change directly affects campus police officers employed by educational institutions, ensuring they can legally carry weapons during work-related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $71.4 million Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to help eligible New Jersey school districts offset state aid reductions for the 2024-2025 school year. It provides grants covering up to two-thirds of a district’s state aid reduction, but requires districts to first fully use all available tax authority (including "banked" tax capacity) before receiving aid. Districts receiving aid may also increase local tax levies by up to one-third of the aid amount, but cannot exceed a 9.9% tax levy growth limit relative to the prior year. The program directly affects school districts facing state aid cuts, with eligibility based on positive state aid differentials and subject to specific spending and staffing requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3229 expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to include eligible workforce training programs, allowing students in these programs to access state financial aid. To qualify, programs must require at least 150 hours of instruction, offer an industry-valued credential, and maintain 70% average completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate qualifying programs and require them to report student outcomes, which will be posted publicly. This change directly affects workforce training programs and students pursuing career-focused, non-degree training without traditional college credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill, if passed, would require certain businesses selling alcohol by the drink in New Jersey to carry $500,000 in alcoholic beverage liability insurance. It directly affects license holders for specific types of alcohol sales, including breweries (like craft distilleries and cideries), wineries, retail stores (including seasonal and club licenses), and temporary permit holders like those at sports facilities or casinos. Businesses must provide proof of insurance within 60 days of enactment and annually with license renewals. Failure to comply could result in license suspension or revocation. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee (introduced January 2024, reported May 2024).

Maddy summaryThis bill bars state prosecutors, the Attorney General, First Assistant Attorney General, and members of the State Commission of Investigation from campaigning for other elected offices while serving in their current roles. It requires these officials to wait three years after leaving their positions before running for elected office, extending the existing one-year ban for Commission members to match other covered positions. The bill does not apply to municipal prosecutors. It prohibits these officials from signing campaign materials or holding party positions during service and after their term ends.

Maddy summaryS 3233 would require retired law enforcement officers in New Jersey to annually qualify in firearm use rather than semi-annually as currently required. This change applies to officers who retired in good standing after serving as full-time, regularly employed law enforcement officers. The bill does not alter other requirements, such as the age limit (75 years or younger) or the need to avoid disqualifying disabilities. The amendment would reduce the frequency of required firearm qualification from twice a year to once a year for eligible retired officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows specific New Jersey school districts facing state aid cuts to submit their budgets after the state's FY2025 budget is finalized. It applies only to districts where the proposed state aid reduction exceeds their unused tax authority ("banked cap") under current law. The Commissioner of Education must permit these districts to submit budgets within five days of the FY2025 appropriations act's enactment, with the option to adjust the budget calendar to a compressed timeline. The change is limited to the 2024-2025 school year only.