Maddy summaryS 4236, the "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights Act," requires New Jersey school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (such as hearing, vision, or speech impairments) receive specific supports. It mandates school districts to provide trained assistants using a student's primary communication method (like sign language, AAC devices, or speech-generating tools), include communication plans in IEPs/504 plans, offer early screening and assessments, and guarantee full access to all school activities including extracurriculars. The bill does not create new rights but codifies existing requirements under federal laws like the ADA and IDEA. It applies directly to students with communication disabilities, their families, and public school districts across New Jersey.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, "Daniel Kearney's Law," establishes criminal penalties for drivers with probationary licenses who violate specific restrictions and cause death or injury. It creates vehicular homicide (a second-degree crime) if a driver violates probationary restrictions and causes death, and assault by auto (a fourth-degree crime for bodily injury, third-degree for serious injury) if a driver violates restrictions and causes injury. The law specifically targets drivers under 21 with probationary licenses who violate restrictions on passenger limits or nighttime driving, which are currently in place for drivers under 21. Named after Daniel Kearney, a 19-year-old who died as a passenger in a 2021 accident where the driver was under 21 with a probationary license and had two passengers.
Maddy summaryS 4249 requires all New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about the September 11, 2001 attacks in their social studies curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students. The bill mandates teaching specific content, including the historical context, timeline of events, first responders' heroism, humanitarian response, global impact of terrorism, and strategies for promoting tolerance. It also requires each public school to hold an annual commemorative event focused on conflict resolution, diversity, and cultural tolerance related to 9/11. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May of each year as Military Spouse Appreciation Month in New Jersey. It requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of military spouses' contributions. The resolution acknowledges military spouses for their support, sacrifices, and role in strengthening military families and communities, without creating new obligations or funding. As a ceremonial measure, it has no direct regulatory or financial impact on affected individuals.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to help new nurses transition into practice through support for healthcare facilities. It requires the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN) to create a 12-month transition program for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses at facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and home care providers, with mandatory mentorship and data collection on program completers. Facilities must apply for NJCCN approval to receive financial, material, and technical support, with $2 million annually allocated for this purpose - prioritizing veterans' homes, long-term care, and home care providers. The bill also updates the NJCCN's governance structure to include more nurse representatives on its 17-member board.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to use their existing open space trust funds for repairing collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on land they own. Currently, these funds can only be used for open space, recreation, floodplain protection, farmland, and historic preservation projects. The bill requires counties and municipalities to hold public hearings and provide notice before using funds for this purpose, with a $100,000 spending limit per project. It expands the authorized uses of these trust funds without requiring new voter approval, but mandates additional transparency through public notice and hearings. This change directly affects local governments with mine-related hazards on their property, providing a new funding mechanism for addressing these safety concerns.
Maddy summaryS 843 requires New Jersey's Adjutant General (within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs) to create a program helping veterans access evaluation and treatment for service-connected PTSD, total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury. The program must coordinate support services like transportation, assistance filing disability claims, updating discharge status, and connecting veterans to healthcare resources at local, state, and federal levels. It directly affects New Jersey veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserve components, including the National Guard. The bill amends state law to mandate this program, which will be developed in coordination with relevant state agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the period during which New Jersey public bodies (like municipalities and school districts) can use newspapers for required public notices and legal advertisements. It allows these entities to continue publishing in either print or digital formats until December 31, 2025, instead of ending on March 1, 2025 as previously scheduled. The bill ensures that newspapers used for compliance with notice requirements from 2024 remain eligible for 2025, with no additional fees for viewing digital notices. It does not change how notices are published, only extends the deadline for newspaper-based publication.
Maddy summaryS 2386 creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active volunteer members of fire departments, ambulance squads, or rescue organizations who use their personal vehicles for emergency duties. It allows eligible volunteers to claim a credit based on miles driven for active duty (defined as direct response to emergencies), calculated using the federal IRS business mileage rate, with a maximum credit of $500 for single filers or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly. To qualify, members must maintain active status without regular pay (only receiving clothing allowances or limited service awards), meet attendance requirements for drills/meetings, and document service through their organization’s certification. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment and is refundable if it reduces tax liability to zero. This directly benefits New Jersey volunteer emergency responders who incur vehicle costs while serving.
Maddy summaryS 4142 revises New Jersey's primary election ballot design by requiring all candidates for the same office to be grouped together in "office blocks" rather than being separated or mixed with candidates for different offices. This change aims to reduce voter confusion by ensuring all candidates seeking the same position appear consecutively on the ballot, with each office block clearly separated from others. The bill also removes State political committee members from the primary election process, requiring them to be elected by county committees instead. Additionally, it mandates that the Division of Elections collect data on the implementation of the new ballot design and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days after the second primary election following enactment.