Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to integrate instruction about the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans into Social Studies and English Language Arts curricula for all students in grades K-12. It mandates that this instruction be historically accurate, culturally relevant, community-based, contemporary, and developmentally appropriate. The State Board of Education must adopt specific standards for this content, and the Commissioner of Education must provide teacher training and sample resources developed with input from the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. The law applies starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private health insurance plans, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and NJ FamilyCare to cover sign language interpreter services during medical appointments for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates coverage for qualified interpreters (certified by the New Jersey Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or an accredited organization) or video remote interpretation when in-person services aren't available. The bill specifies that family members or friends can only serve as interpreters under certain conditions, and prohibits their use in cases of suspected domestic violence or child abuse. It establishes minimum reimbursement rates of $42.40 per hour for NJ FamilyCare and $42.53 per hour for SHBP/SEHBP. The bill aims to ensure equal access to health care communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, aligning with federal accessibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $20 million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants in New Jersey's fiscal year 2025, specifically to fund summer 2025 semester aid. It directly affects eligible New Jersey college students who received tuition aid in the prior fall or spring semester, are enrolled in at least six credits during summer 2025, and continue in the same undergraduate program. The key provision requires that these students receive 75 percent of the maximum grant amount for which they qualify under current law (instead of the current 50% for 6-8 credits). The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to administer these grants for the summer 2025 term.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act" to protect immigrants interacting with state and local government agencies. It prohibits public agencies, including law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and shelters, from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility. The bill bans state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities with detainers, notification requests, or transfers, and requires adoption of policies ensuring sensitive locations remain accessible to all residents regardless of immigration status. It mandates training for law enforcement officials and public awareness campaigns about these protections, with annual reporting requirements for agencies interacting with federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3694 prohibits businesses from owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. It defines cryptocurrency as decentralized digital currency and specifies that crypto ATMs are internet-connected kiosks allowing users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using debit cards, credit cards, or cash. The bill amends existing consumer fraud law to make these activities unlawful, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 per violation and potential court-ordered restitution. This directly affects businesses operating or planning to operate crypto ATMs in New Jersey, aiming to address rising fraud losses - reported at over $110 million in 2023 - particularly impacting seniors with median losses of $10,000.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 3657 prohibits landlords and property management software companies from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental prices and supply, which the bill states may reduce competition and raise rents. It defines a "coordinator" as any entity (including property owners using their own software) that collects price data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or occupancy levels. The bill makes it unlawful to contract with such services or facilitate price-fixing agreements, aligning with New Jersey's Antitrust Act. This directly affects landlords, property management software providers, and rental markets, targeting practices cited as contributing to a 35% median rent increase for three-bedroom units since 2021.

Maddy summaryS 3642 requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education and public colleges/universities to create programs improving Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. It mandates targeted leadership development for Hispanic/Latino faculty, pathways for undergraduates into academic careers, and strategies to address barriers in recruitment and retention. Public institutions must implement diversity-focused hiring policies for leadership positions and submit annual reports tracking leadership diversity composition. The bill directly affects Hispanic and Latino faculty/staff at New Jersey's public higher education institutions and requires annual reporting to the Secretary of Higher Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases income and resource thresholds for several Medicaid eligibility groups in New Jersey. It raises the income eligibility limit for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) group from 100% to 138% of the federal poverty level (from $15,060 to $20,783 annually for an individual in 2024) and increases resource limits from $4,000 to $40,000 for individuals and from $6,000 to $60,000 for couples. These changes will expand Medicaid eligibility to more low-income seniors, blind individuals, and people with disabilities who currently exceed the current income and asset limits. The bill affects Medicaid eligibility for ABD, Medically Needy, Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS), and Medicare Savings Programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires six New Jersey authorities - NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA - to consider and prioritize minorities and women in hiring decisions and contract awards. It mandates these entities to publish quarterly reports on employee and contractor demographics, including gender, race, ethnicity, and average salaries or contract amounts. The law defines "minority" to include Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian or Alaskan Native individuals, and specifies criteria for "minority businesses" and "women's businesses." The provisions for PANYNJ and DRPA will only take effect if New York and Pennsylvania enact similar laws. The bill aims to increase diversity in employment and contracting within these major state authorities.