Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material from appearing in school libraries. The policy must establish criteria for appropriate library materials, prohibit obscene content, mandate staff compliance with state obscenity laws (which criminalize distributing such material to minors), and outline procedures for investigating staff violations. The state education commissioner will develop and distribute guidance to schools, including examples of prohibited material and recommended disciplinary actions for staff. Noncompliant school districts may face state funding sanctions. The law directly affects school boards, library staff, and students by enforcing existing state obscenity laws in educational settings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the New Jersey Department of Children and Families' (DCF) FY2026 budget by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate for care management organizations (CMOs) serving youth with complex health needs. The rate will jump from $1,032 to $1,200 per client in 2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs - county-based agencies that coordinate care for youth with behavioral health, substance use, or developmental disabilities - will directly benefit from this funding change. The policy ensures CMOs receive higher payments for services provided through the NJ FamilyCare program.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100 million to provide financial assistance to New Jersey residents affected by Hurricane Ida's remnants (Sept 2021 storm). It directly helps eligible property owners, renters, and vehicle owners who suffered damage to their primary residence or transportation, verified through FEMA, insurance, or municipal documentation. Key provisions include reimbursements for home repairs, temporary housing costs, vehicle replacement/repairs, uncovered personal property ($50,000 cap), and gap funding for disaster mitigation, while prioritizing those not covered by federal CDBG-DR funds (income limit: $1M combined income). The Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation will administer applications, set timelines, and prioritize claims if demand exceeds funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school with a library to post a comprehensive, publicly accessible online list of all library resources - including books, DVDs, periodicals, and digital databases - on its school website. Schools must add new resources to the list within 10 days of purchase. The school library media specialist (or the principal if no specialist exists) is responsible for maintaining and updating this list. The law applies directly to public school districts operating libraries and takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates inheritance taxes for siblings who inherit property from a deceased person in New Jersey. Previously, siblings faced tax rates up to 16% on inherited assets, but the bill removes this tax for all transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2022. The change applies specifically to brothers and sisters inheriting from a decedent, with no tax imposed under the amended law for these transfers. This is a direct policy change to the state's inheritance tax code (R.S.54:34-2).
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a program where the state acts as a "purchaser of last resort" for unsold produce from farmers who cannot sell it elsewhere. The state will buy the produce at a reasonable market price and distribute it to food banks, homeless shelters, senior centers, adult day care centers, veterans organizations, and other nonprofits that provide food or meals to the public. Participation criteria for farmers and recipients will be established, and the program must comply with Department of Health food safety guidelines. The Department of Agriculture must request annual budget funding to implement the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1581) removes a current prohibition in New Jersey law that prevents state/local agencies and private detention facilities from entering agreements to detain noncitizens for immigration violations. It allows these entities to now form contracts, memorandums, or service agreements to house individuals detained for civil immigration matters. The bill amends prior law (P.L.2021, c.199) by deleting restrictions and repealing the existing ban. It directly affects New Jersey state/local governments, county sheriffs, municipalities, and privately operated detention facilities. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment but is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres program and farmland preservation efforts in the Highlands Region through 2029 (from 2024). It requires state agencies, local governments, and qualified nonprofits to use a specific two-part appraisal method when purchasing land for conservation: comparing current land values against those from 2004, then using the higher value for negotiations with landowners. The process applies only to lands continuously owned since 2004 (or by immediate family) within the Highlands Region, and does not affect federal-funded acquisitions. This extension ensures consistency in land valuation for these conservation programs without altering their funding or scope.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's small business loan program to include rural broadband telecommunications service providers certified by the Board of Public Utilities. It adds these providers to the list of eligible borrowers under the program, specifically targeting those offering broadband in rural areas (defined as municipalities with populations under 30,000 and low density). The change allows these providers to access loans for capital purchases, employee training, and new hires, aligning them with other small business categories. The bill amends existing law to include this new eligibility category without altering other program requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey optometrists' scope of practice to include administering vaccines for coronaviruses, influenza, and shingles (for patients 18+), prescribing certain medications (including controlled substances under specific conditions), and performing limited eye procedures like laser treatments and minor surgeries. It requires optometrists to follow CDC vaccine guidelines, report immunizations to the state system, and avoid invasive surgeries or general anesthesia. The changes clarify that optometrists must adhere to medical standards for pharmaceutical use and cannot perform procedures requiring full-thickness eye incisions or orbital surgery. This modernizes optometric care while maintaining safety boundaries for patient treatment.