Maddy summaryS 3473 appropriates $101,696,535 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection for local government open space and park projects. The bill allocates $24.3 million for land acquisition projects (including planning incentives, standard acquisition, and urban aid) and $75.0 million for park development projects (including inclusive playgrounds, urban aid projects, and stewardship activities). Eligible projects must be located in municipalities meeting specific population density criteria or sponsored by eligible counties. The funds will support local governments across New Jersey in acquiring or developing lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 226 restricts shipping box sizes for large online retailers (annual sales ≥ $1 million) and major retailers (75,000+ sq ft, 50+ employees). It prohibits using boxes larger than twice the volume of the shipped product, with exceptions for consumer electronics (like computers or TVs) and minimum size requirements set by the USPS or carriers. Violations incur civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, enforced through courts or the Department of Environmental Protection. The law aims to reduce excess packaging waste by targeting specific large-scale retailers, not all businesses.
Maddy summaryThe "Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act" (S 2806) prevents consumer reporting agencies from including paid medical debt or medical debt under $500 in credit reports, regardless of when the debt was incurred. It also prohibits medical creditors and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus for services provided after the bill takes effect. The bill requires a 180-day waiting period before collection actions can begin after the first bill is sent, and mandates a 30-day notice to patients before initiating collection efforts. Additionally, it protects patients during pending insurance appeals by banning collection communications and requiring removal of debt information from credit reports if an appeal is active or the debt is paid.
Maddy summarySJR 45 is a symbolic resolution designating June of each year as "Gun Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes the issue through an annual observance. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation urging public officials, organizations, and citizens to hold awareness activities during June. It directly affects New Jersey residents and state officials through this ceremonial designation, with no financial or policy impacts. The bill passed the Senate in June 2024 and is now under review in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey hospitals to annually report data on minors (under 18) who attempted or completed suicide using drugs. Hospitals must provide the number of cases, plus optional details like the minor's age, ethnicity, gender, race, and the specific drug used. This data is submitted to the New Jersey Poison Control Center, which then creates an annual report for the Governor and Legislature. The bill includes strict privacy protections, stating that personal identifiers cannot be disclosed unless required by law and that no health privacy laws are violated. It is solely a data-collection measure, not a policy change for prevention or treatment.
Maddy summaryS 3491 establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive health care (including abortion) and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. The bill defines "legally protected health care activity" as services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of where the patient resides, and creates criminal penalties for interfering with access to these services (such as obstructing facilities, intimidating patients, or recording individuals without consent). It also prohibits New Jersey from extraditing people for providing or seeking these services, protects patient privacy regarding these services, and specifies that fertilized eggs, embryos, or fetuses cannot have independent legal rights under New Jersey law. The bill applies to all individuals seeking or providing these services within New Jersey, including those traveling from states with restrictions on reproductive or gender-affirming care.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2937 requires state agencies and organizations receiving state funds to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and the United Nations' working definition of Islamophobia in their existing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) policies. The bill mandates that these specific definitions - IHRA's 2016 definition of antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred" and the UN's definition of Islamophobia as "fear, prejudice, and hatred of Muslims" - be incorporated into all relevant DEIB policies. This applies to both state agencies and any entities receiving state financial support, ensuring these definitions guide policy implementation without creating new policies. The requirement takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including its "contemporary examples," for use by state institutions. It requires state entities to consider this definition when reviewing or investigating potential anti-Semitic discrimination or bias crimes. The bill appropriates $100,000 to fund a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office, promoting the state's bias crimes reporting hotline and resources for identifying and reporting anti-Semitic incidents. The campaign aims to increase public understanding and reporting of bias crimes, particularly affecting Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in New Jersey. The bill explicitly states it does not diminish First Amendment rights or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for building electrification and decarbonization. It mandates electric utilities to develop and implement multi-year plans converting fossil fuel systems (like gas heating and cooking) to efficient electric alternatives, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, while meeting specific greenhouse gas reduction targets. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits like reduced methane emissions. The program aims to lower emissions and energy costs through utility-led initiatives, with the BPU setting targets and performance incentives.
Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Student Support Act creates a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to claim 75% of their contributions (minimum $100) to approved student support organizations that award scholarships. These scholarships are for New Jersey students from low-income families (household income not exceeding 2.6 times the federal reduced-price lunch guidelines) attending participating nonpublic schools that meet specific eligibility criteria. The program limits total annual tax credits to $37.5 million and requires scholarship organizations to spend no more than 5% of contributions on administration. The bill also establishes a separate $37.5 million annual grant program for public school districts with high poverty rates to fund student support services like tutoring and counseling.