Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to improve mental health support for middle and high school students. It requires the Commissioner of Education to select six school districts (representing all regions and urban/suburban/rural settings) based on applications detailing student demographics, current mental health services, and staff availability. Participating districts must develop innovative approaches to increase mental health awareness and teach stress-management skills. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2236 establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Children within the Attorney General's office (though operating autonomously). The ombudsman will directly support children at risk of abuse/neglect, those in foster care, and youth under state supervision by investigating systemic issues, monitoring child welfare services, and ensuring agencies comply with standards. Key mechanisms include accessing child welfare records, inspecting facilities like group homes and shelters, issuing subpoenas for investigations, and operating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office will report findings to the Governor and Legislature to improve coordination and address gaps in child welfare services across state agencies.

Maddy summarySJR 26 is a ceremonial joint resolution designating May of each year as "Military Spouse Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies but formally recognizes military spouses' contributions. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities and programs during May. This designation directly affects military spouses in New Jersey by providing official state recognition of their support for service members. The measure takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 1133 allows volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad members in New Jersey to claim a $5,000 deduction from their state income tax if they meet specific service requirements. To qualify, firefighters must perform 60% of fire duty (e.g., 400 duty hours yearly with ≤50% for drills or 60% attendance at alarms/drills) and hold Firefighter I certification by January 1. First aid/rescue volunteers must complete 10% of rescue duty (400 hours yearly or 10% alarm attendance with 60% drill participation) and have approved training or EMT certification. The deduction applies only to those who volunteered full-time during the tax year and must be claimed with verification from their department.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to deploy mobile service units at physical agency locations experiencing overcrowding and service delays. If mobile units are insufficient for all overcrowded sites, the MVC must prioritize their use to maximize the number of customers served or minimize delays. The policy applies directly to MVC customers facing long wait times at physical locations and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying veterans from New Jersey's state income tax. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable military discharge (from active duty in U.S. Armed Forces, reserve, or New Jersey National Guard in federal status) and earn $50,000 or less in gross income annually. The exemption applies to taxable years starting January 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects low-income veterans who meet the service and income criteria. The bill modifies New Jersey's Gross Income Tax Act to provide this specific tax relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to review their administrative rules before they expire to ensure they remain effective and necessary. Agencies must assess whether a rule's benefits still outweigh its costs and whether it has become outdated or could be improved. Rules expire after seven years unless renewed through specific processes outlined in the bill, but agencies must conduct this review prior to renewal to justify continued use. The findings of these reviews must be reported to the Governor and Legislature, with the results published in the New Jersey Register.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 375) changes New Jersey's juvenile justice process by allowing prosecutors to seek to try juveniles aged 15 or older as adults for specific serious offenses without the juvenile's consent. It targets crimes like homicide, certain robberies, sexual assaults, firearm offenses, and drug trafficking (as listed in the bill text). Courts must review factors like the crime's severity, the juvenile's maturity, and prior history before granting the waiver. If convicted, juveniles would serve custodial sentences in juvenile facilities until age 21, with limited options to transfer to adult facilities. The bill applies directly to juveniles charged with the enumerated offenses in the state's statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location/speed, and two-way communication equipment (like cell phones). It directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs by mandating these safety technologies. The bill specifies that collected video footage and GPS data are not considered government records, and it directs the State Board of Education and Motor Vehicle Commission to create rules for installing, using, and retaining this data. Implementation is scheduled for six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.