Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryS 3087 prohibits the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) from charging toll payers or E-ZPass account holders for credit card processing fees. The bill requires the NJTA to cover these costs within its own operating budget instead of passing them to customers. This applies to all electronic toll payments made on New Jersey turnpike roads and related infrastructure. The law formalizes an existing NJTA practice, ensuring customers won't see added fees for credit card transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants to use part of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Secretary before the academic year starts, which reduces their regular academic year grant amount. The Secretary must then annually report how many students used this option and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. It directly affects EOF grant recipients at participating New Jersey colleges and implements a 2016 commission recommendation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires DNA samples from individuals arrested for or convicted of specific violent and sex offenses, including aggravated sexual assault, murder, kidnapping, and (starting January 1, 2026) human trafficking, arson, and carjacking. It mandates DNA collection at arrest for these crimes, upon sentencing for non-incarceration cases, and before release for those previously imprisoned. The law applies to both adults and juveniles convicted of or arrested for these offenses, as well as individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity. It expands existing requirements by adding new offenses effective in 2026 and clarifies collection timelines for all affected individuals.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3083 requires four-year public colleges and universities to post specific data about online and graduate students on their websites. The bill mandates annual updates including detailed cost breakdowns (tuition, fees, housing), graduation rates by demographic group (race, income, gender), average student loan debt, and faculty composition. It specifically expands existing transparency requirements to cover exclusively online students and graduate programs, requiring data separated by campus vs. commuter vs. online enrollment. All information must be publicly accessible, broken down by student characteristics, and linked to the state’s comparative education profile. The law takes effect for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3090 (S 3090) requires employers designated as qualifying under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program to inform new employees about PSLF eligibility during initial benefits orientation. The bill mandates that these employers explain two key aspects: (1) potential eligibility for PSLF, and (2) the specific requirements to qualify, including working at least 30 hours weekly (or full-time per employer), holding Direct Loans or consolidated federal loans, using income-driven repayment plans, and making 120 qualifying monthly payments. This applies only to employers already certified under the federal PSLF program. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to study and recommend improvements for child care access at New Jersey colleges. The commission includes state education officials, legislative appointees, and community representatives (like school principals, child care providers, and a student parent) who will gather data on student child care needs and review existing college programs and subsidies. It will examine successful models from other states, explore campus-based child care partnerships, and assess available grants. The commission must submit a final report with recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and college leaders within one year of forming.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3033) changes New Jersey's NJCLASS student loan program eligibility rules. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to consider the *combined income* of all cosigners (such as parents) when determining if a student applicant meets the program's minimum income requirement. Currently, a student with multiple cosigners could be denied a loan if each cosigner individually fell below the income threshold, even if their total combined income qualified them. The change ensures students with multiple financial supporters aren't unfairly excluded due to individual income calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow civil lawsuits against casinos and simulcast facilities when they recklessly ignore or intentionally violate the self-exclusion program for gamblers who have voluntarily barred themselves from gambling. Currently, casinos cannot be held liable for failing to enforce self-exclusion; this bill removes that immunity for cases involving reckless indifference or intentional misconduct toward self-excluded individuals. The law specifically targets situations where casinos permit self-excluded persons to gamble or fail to withhold gaming privileges despite knowing their exclusion status. It directly affects self-excluded gamblers seeking legal recourse and imposes new accountability on casino operators for their enforcement practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gaming. It specifically bans casino operators from conducting games that simulate real casino games (with similar odds of winning) but don't require an initial monetary investment, where participants might earn points or rewards redeemable for real value. The bill targets a practice where casinos use these games, sometimes attracting underage individuals, to encourage future gambling participation. The prohibition applies to casino licensees, their employees, agents, contracted operators, and any parties with whom the casino has a relationship.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.