Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to submit two specific documents for certain information technology projects: 1) A written business case (including budget, risk analysis, and public benefits) for projects exceeding $2.5 million in value, due 30 days before procurement; 2) A change management plan (covering stakeholder impact and implementation strategy) for projects over $2.5 million, involving multiple agencies, or significantly altering public service processes. All submissions must go to the New Jersey Office of Information Technology and relevant divisions (Purchase and Property, Revenue, and Management and Budget). The bill directly affects all New Jersey state agencies managing qualifying IT projects, aiming to standardize documentation before procurement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3672 requires all state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to create pregnancy policies for female officers who have completed probation. The policy mandates that officers notify supervisors upon confirming a pregnancy and allows them to continue full-duty work until medical advice suggests otherwise, while agencies must avoid assigning them to hazardous tasks like patrol, firearms training, or exposure to toxins. Officers on maternity duty (temporary reassignment for medical reasons) can perform nonhazardous tasks like report writing or clerical work but cannot engage in activities involving physical risk, such as defensive tactics or inmate contact. The bill also allows pregnant officers to modify uniforms through their agency’s supplier while maintaining body armor requirements during field duties, except when on maternity duty.
Maddy summaryS 3686, the "Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act" (HALO Act), creates a new disorderly persons offense for approaching within 25 feet of a first responder after being instructed not to, when the intent is to obstruct, threaten, intimidate, or harass them while they perform official duties. It directly affects first responders - including police officers, firefighters (paid or volunteer), and emergency medical personnel - by establishing legal protection against interference during their work. The law prohibits actions that impair their duties through threatening behavior within the 25-foot zone, with penalties including up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill does not prevent prosecution under other existing laws.
Maddy summaryS 3676 permits pharmacists in New Jersey to administer specific long-acting injectable drugs for psychiatric conditions, which are FDA-approved medications designed to treat symptoms with a single dose lasting up to 24 weeks. Pharmacists must meet certification requirements set by the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy and the State Board of Medical Examiners, and administration requires a prescription from an authorized prescriber. The bill defines "long-acting injectable drugs" as those treating psychiatric disorders, excluding vaccines or non-psychiatric medications. This change expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these specific drugs under regulated conditions, without altering existing prescription requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to administer epinephrine using standard needle and syringe equipment (not prefilled auto-injectors), expanding their existing authorization under current law. To qualify, EMTs must complete an approved training program and pass an exam on non-prefilled administration, as certified by the Commissioner of Health. The Commissioner will maintain a public registry of certified EMTs and annual lists of those authorized. This change directly affects EMTs providing emergency care, particularly in anaphylaxis situations, by offering a flexible administration method while ensuring standardized training and oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) aid to qualify for food assistance (SNAP) without meeting the federal 20-hour weekly work requirement typically needed for student SNAP participation. It directly affects low-income college students who receive EOF grants, which provide financial aid for higher education. The exemption requires federal approval first - New Jersey must apply for this within 90 days - and cannot take effect until federal law, regulation, or a waiver permits it without penalty to the state. After approval, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform students about the new eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to issue temporary emergency medical services certifications to EMTs and paramedics whose certifications have expired or are inactive, during the ongoing state or public health emergency related to COVID-19 (whichever lasts longer). It allows provisional certifications for expired EMTs/paramedics and temporary reactivation for inactive paramedics, waiving standard fees, continuing education, and proficiency demonstration requirements. These temporary certifications are valid for six months from issuance, and the bill also enables temporary reciprocity for paramedics certified in other states or by the National Registry. The policy directly affects healthcare providers needing to work during the emergency without full recertification.
Maddy summaryS 3701, "Daniel Kearney's Law," creates criminal penalties for drivers who violate probationary license restrictions while under the influence of alcohol/drugs (R.S.39:4-50) or operating with a suspended license. It applies to drivers with probationary licenses who break these restrictions, particularly when combined with DUI or license suspension. The bill mandates a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence (or three years, whichever is greater) and requires a five-year to life license suspension for such violations. This amendment to New Jersey's reckless vehicular homicide law (N.J.S.2C:11-5) increases penalties for these specific offenses without changing general traffic laws.
Maddy summaryS 3670 allows New Jersey municipalities to use school bus video footage to issue tickets for illegally passing school buses. Law enforcement must review the footage within 90 days to determine if a violation occurred and issue a $100 ticket for a first offense (or $250 for repeat offenses), with footage deleted within 60 days after fines are paid or 3 days if no ticket is issued. Vehicle owners and operators are jointly liable for fines, though lessors can avoid responsibility by providing the lessee's details to the court. The bill specifies that school bus video footage is not a public record and cannot be used in most legal proceedings outside of this specific traffic enforcement context.
Maddy summaryS 3689 (Sponsored by Senator Bucco) expands New Jersey's pension and retirement income exclusion to include taxpayers earning over $150,000 annually, while increasing the maximum exclusion amount. Currently, taxpayers with incomes above $125,000 but under $150,000 receive reduced exclusions (e.g., 25% for married couples filing jointly), but this bill removes the $150,000 cap. Qualifying taxpayers - those receiving pension/retirement income and filing New Jersey taxes - would see higher tax savings under the revised rules. The bill amends existing tax code provisions (N.J.S.54A:6-10) to implement these changes.