Maddy summaryS 889 creates a grant program to help Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties develop shelters for homeless veterans in southern New Jersey. The program awards state funds to these counties to identify suitable locations and provide property for state-operated shelters, based on applications submitted to the Adjutant General. It directly addresses geographic barriers that isolate homeless veterans from existing resources, particularly during extreme weather. The bill requires counties to propose shelter sites and land, with grants contingent on available funding and legislative appropriations. This policy change aims to expand access to shelter services in regions where homeless veterans face limited mobility to reach existing facilities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 844) amends New Jersey law to require life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of murdering an emergency responder (such as firefighters, EMTs, or paramedics) while they are performing official duties or because of their status as an emergency responder. It expands an existing provision that already mandates this sentence for murders of law enforcement officers. The key change directly affects defendants convicted of such murders, making the life without parole sentence mandatory for this specific category of victim. The bill does not change sentencing for other murder cases but specifically targets violence against emergency personnel.
Maddy summarySCR 30 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's education clause, requiring students to attend the public school nearest their residence within their school district, provided that school offers the student's specific course of study. This amendment would prohibit forcing students to attend schools outside their immediate neighborhood district, directly affecting families and school districts in New Jersey. The proposal must be approved by voters in a general election after being submitted to the public for review. It is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in January 2024.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 886) creates a legal claim (lien) against life insurance proceeds to collect unpaid child support. It directly affects parents who owe child support (judgment debtors), life insurance beneficiaries, and insurance companies. The key provision requires insurers to check for outstanding child support judgments before paying out life insurance benefits (including cash surrender values), and to withhold payment until the debt is settled. This applies to all life insurance policies except funeral, credit life, or policies covering funeral expenses, and excludes minors under 16 as beneficiaries. The lien takes priority over other claims but not state tax liens.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires urgent care clinics (treating acute but non-life-threatening conditions) and retail health clinics (located in stores/pharmacies offering limited walk-in care) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site and ensure employees are trained in its use. Clinics must acquire and maintain at least one AED stored in a central, accessible location, notify emergency services about its location and type, and train all staff in CPR and AED operation. Crucially, clinics must guarantee at least one employee is trained and on-site during business hours to use the AED if needed. The requirements must be met within one year of the bill's effective date, with the law taking effect immediately but remaining inactive for 365 days after enactment.
Maddy summarySCR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 over five years, with annual increments starting in 2023 ($300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 from 2027 onward). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses (if meeting residency requirements), and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. Key provisions include phasing in the higher deduction amount, ensuring the deduction cancels taxes if below the deduction value, and requiring retirement communities to pass the credit to eligible residents within 30 days. This amendment requires voter approval at the next general election after legislative passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1289) allows New Jersey counties to create a dedicated "Fire Academy Trust Fund" using fees paid by individuals registering for county fire academy courses. The fund's revenue - collected from course registrations - must be used exclusively for fire academy equipment, maintenance, supplies, and related services. It prevents these fees from lapsing into the county's general budget at year-end, ensuring consistent funding for fire academy operations. The bill amends existing law to establish this non-lapsing trust fund structure.
Maddy summaryS 799 creates a 1% tax credit for New Jersey corporations that pay small businesses (with fewer than 50 employees) in New Jersey for subcontracted work performed within the state. The credit applies when corporations subcontract work they would have performed themselves, such as portions of their own contracted duties. Corporations can apply this credit against their corporation business tax, but it cannot exceed 50% of the tax owed. This bill directly affects corporations that contract with New Jersey-based small businesses for services performed locally.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to train and equip municipal emergency coordinators and public works employees to safely move downed, above-ground power lines during major outages that block traffic. Utilities must provide legal indemnity (protection from lawsuits) and reimburse municipalities at half the hourly wage rate for time spent securing lines. It directly affects municipal workers who would handle these emergency situations. The policy mandates utilities to submit response plans to the Board of Public Utilities for approval, ensuring preparedness during events like hurricanes or ice storms.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 795) revises the state's marriage license application form to give couples more flexibility when changing names after marriage. It allows applicants to choose from five specific surname options: taking their spouse's last name, using a former name, combining parts of premarital names, using a hyphenated name (with both parts being premarital names), or placing their premarital name as a middle name followed by their spouse's surname. The form will also include clear instructions that name changes are optional and guide applicants on updating Social Security and other state records. The bill requires the state health commissioner to coordinate with other agencies to streamline name change processing, so couples don't need to take additional steps to update licenses or IDs.