Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3190 establishes a "Veterans Bill of Rights" requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide all state veterans with a clear, accessible document outlining their rights and benefits. The bill mandates the department distribute physical and electronic copies of this document to veterans, maintain it on its website, and keep physical copies at all facilities. It guarantees veterans rights including fair treatment, comprehensive information about healthcare, education, housing, and employment benefits upon discharge, privacy protections for personal records, access to mental health services, and transparency in processing benefit claims. The bill directly affects all veterans residing in New Jersey who interact with the state's veterans services.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to install and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on every train set used for passenger service. It mandates that AEDs be placed in accessible locations, marked with signs, and available during all train operations. NJT must also train employees in CPR and AED use, and notify emergency services about AED locations. The law provides liability protection for NJT and its staff when using the AEDs, as specified in existing state law. This directly affects NJT operations and passengers who may need emergency cardiac care during train travel.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.
Maddy summaryS 2418 exempts volunteer emergency service organizations, such as volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services, from filing detailed registration forms and paying associated fees with New Jersey's Attorney General. Currently, most charitable organizations must submit a comprehensive registration statement and annual financial reports, but this bill removes that requirement for qualifying emergency service groups. The exemption applies specifically to organizations primarily run by volunteers and focused on providing emergency response services, reducing their administrative burden. This change would adjust regulatory requirements for these groups while maintaining existing rules for other charitable organizations.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1139 ("Parents Bill of Rights Act"), grants parents and guardians in New Jersey public schools a fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow review of classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permit opting a child out of any curriculum conflicting with their moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students in New Jersey public schools and mandates specific transparency and choice mechanisms for curriculum access.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary ovarian cancer screening for symptomatic women or those at high risk. It mandates coverage for specific tests including annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood marker tests, on the same terms as other medical conditions. The law applies to individual/group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and state health benefit plans purchased by the State Health Benefits Commission. It takes effect for policies issued or renewed after the bill's effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes eligibility for New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) for certain county fire instructors who were enrolled before November 1, 2008. It grants service credit and retirement benefits to those who: (1) maintained continuous PERS membership, (2) performed fire instructor duties each year, (3) earned over $1,500 annually, and (4) held permanent career civil service status. It also allows reenrollment for those whose membership terminated within two years prior to enactment if they repay returned contributions plus interest. The law specifically addresses a prior issue where these instructors were deemed ineligible due to their position's irregular schedule.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to State-owned lakes where boating (with or without motors) is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either construct access points or partner with private marinas through public bidding. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to cover these costs and mandates that if access cannot be provided, the DEP must report the reasons and required funding to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects public boaters seeking access to State lakes and requires the DEP to use state funds for implementation.
Maddy summaryS 368 upgrades the criminal penalty for auto theft when committed during specific burglaries. It makes auto theft a second-degree crime if linked to residential burglary (breaking into a home) and a first-degree crime if connected to home invasion burglary (typically involving weapons or injury). Currently, auto theft is a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison), but this bill increases penalties to 5-10 years for second-degree and 10-20 years for first-degree offenses. The law also ensures auto theft convictions do not merge with separate burglary convictions, requiring separate sentencing for both crimes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create a website where voters can report problems with mail-in ballots they receive, such as ballots sent to deceased or non-resident voters. Voters would submit their contact details and describe issues through a simple form, which automatically forwards to county election officials for investigation. The bill also establishes a 9-member "Vote by Mail Study Commission" to investigate mail-in ballot integrity, including voter roll accuracy and ballot delivery procedures, with public hearings across the state. The commission must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, while the Secretary of State will annually report aggregated data from the website to lawmakers.