Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" to provide annual financial support to eligible family members of New Jersey service members who died while on active duty. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are surviving spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen military members (defined as "Gold Star family members"). The program pays a fixed $600 annual annuity on January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). Non-residents are excluded, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3510) amends New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law to require employers to provide earned sick leave for employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that are "amendable" (not just expiring) contracts. It directly affects workers in unionized workplaces where contracts become amendable but do not have a set expiration date. The key change clarifies that the sick leave requirement applies when such contracts become amendable, ensuring these employees receive the same benefits as those covered by expiring contracts. The law maintains existing protections for more generous employer policies or collective bargaining agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates "New Jersey’s For You and Me" by Kathleen Golden Murphy and Shannon Murphy Flannery as New Jersey’s official state song. It directly affects the state by establishing the first official song to represent New Jersey’s identity, replacing the previous lack of a designated state song. The song, written by two New Jersey residents in the 1990s, references state symbols like the Eastern goldfinch and red oak, and emphasizes themes of unity and pride. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, making this song the official musical representation of the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey county clerks must print primary and general election ballots in both English and Spanish in any election district where 10% or more of registered voters have Spanish as their primary language. It directly affects voters in those districts and county clerks responsible for ballot preparation. The key provision specifies the 10% threshold for requiring bilingual ballots, updating existing law to eliminate ambiguity. The bill does not change the requirement but makes it explicit in statute. It applies to all general and primary elections within qualifying districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3487) reorganizes New Jersey's executive branch by renaming the Division of State Police as the Department of State Police and designating it as the principal department within the state government. It amends existing statutes to update all references to "Division of State Police" to "Department of State Police" in laws, contracts, and documents, including changing the title of the head from "Superintendent" to "Director" for consistency. The bill elevates the State Police from a division under the Department of Law and Public Safety to a standalone department, directly affecting state administrative structure and all official materials referencing the agency. This is a structural change with no new policy provisions, solely updating organizational terminology and hierarchy.
Maddy summaryS 3520 exempts the sale of recreational safety helmets from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It defines these helmets as those meeting safety standards for activities like cycling, skateboarding, skiing, or snowboarding, or designed specifically for snow sports such as snowmobiling. This means consumers purchasing these helmets would pay no state sales tax, and retailers would not collect the tax on them. The exemption would apply to sales made three months after the bill becomes law.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 86) commemorating the 50th anniversary of New Jersey's State Government Affairs Council (SGAC). It formally recognizes SGAC's 50 years of work fostering nonpartisan relationships between government affairs professionals, elected officials, and stakeholders to improve communication between public and private sectors. The resolution has no policy changes or binding effects - it simply honors SGAC's role in promoting transparency, education, and collaboration in state governance. It directly affects SGAC by acknowledging its legacy, with no impact on laws, regulations, or constituents.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) to create and maintain a 24/7 toll-free hotline for reporting violations of election laws. It specifically covers campaign finance rules (P.L.1973, c.83), election-related crimes under Title 19, and other election law violations. ELEC must review each report and can refer findings to the Attorney General, county prosecutors, or other law enforcement for action. The hotline becomes operational 60 days after the bill is signed into law.
Maddy summaryS 3511 removes stump grinding from the list of services requiring a license from the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. The bill amends existing law to explicitly exclude stump grinding from the definitions of both "tree care operator services" and "tree expert services." This means individuals and businesses performing stump grinding no longer need a specific license from the Board for that service. The change directly affects tree care professionals who offer stump grinding as a standalone service, reducing regulatory requirements for this common post-tree-removal task.