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 summaryS 3479 increases tax credit amounts for businesses rehabilitating historic properties and cleaning up brownfield sites in New Jersey. For historic property rehabilitation, it raises the maximum credit to 60% of costs (or $12 million, whichever is less) for properties in disadvantaged areas, and 50% (or $8 million) for other properties. For brownfield cleanup, it increases credits to 80% of remediation costs (or $12 million) in disadvantaged areas, and 60% (or $8 million) for other projects. The bill also creates new eligibility for facade rehabilitation projects and modifies application requirements to better target economic development in underserved communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to provide additional support for first-generation homebuyers. It increases the maximum down payment assistance to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers, with an extra $7,000-$10,000 specifically for first-generation homebuyers (defined as individuals whose parents never owned residential property and who may have been in foster care). The program requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years, complete homebuyer counseling, and repay the loan if they move before the five-year term. The assistance is structured as a zero-interest, forgivable loan if all conditions are met.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent "Office of the Learning Loss Czar" within New Jersey's Department of Education (though not under its control) to address academic setbacks students experienced, particularly those affecting students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities. The office will build a public resource bank of proven educational strategies, provide technical assistance to school districts, help secure grants, and partner with universities to research learning loss solutions. School districts can submit their successful programs to the resource bank with evidence of effectiveness. The Learning Loss Czar, appointed by the governor, will lead these efforts to coordinate statewide initiatives targeting academic recovery.
Maddy summaryS 3521 requires employers in New Jersey to provide one additional paid sick day per benefit year to employees who serve as volunteer first responders (such as firefighters or emergency medical personnel). This day is specifically for healthcare diagnostic testing related to potential exposure during volunteer duties, like responding to accidents or emergencies. The bill applies to employers with at least 25 employees that have operated for two years. The Commissioner of Labor will develop implementation rules, aiming to support volunteer recruitment and retention by helping responders balance paid work and community service.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new benefit programs under New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program. It provides eligible participants with a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, or cups) for individuals aged 18-50, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products. Benefits are added to participants' existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as regular benefits, with unspent funds carrying over monthly. The $2.5 million appropriation funds these programs, which directly affect low-income WFNJ recipients and their dependent children.
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 summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover abortion services without cost-sharing (such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance) for all individuals in the state. It applies to all health insurance carriers, state health benefit programs, and Medicaid, with limited exceptions for religious employers who request exclusions based on religious beliefs. The bill also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse actions against providers who offer legally protected reproductive health care services, even if the patient is from a state where those services are illegal. It defines "abortion" as medical treatment to terminate a pregnancy (including medication and aspiration methods) and aims to remove financial barriers to access, particularly benefiting low-income individuals and other groups facing disproportionate access challenges.
Maddy summaryS 2330 establishes a one-year pilot program providing two new benefits for participants in New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program, which supports low-income residents. It allocates $2.5 million to the Department of Human Services to distribute a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (e.g., tampons, pads, cups) to participants aged 18-50 who menstruate, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products to parents in the program. Benefits are delivered via existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as standard benefits, with unspent funds rolling over to the next month for the same purpose. The bill defines eligible products and requires their exclusive use for the specified items.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program to allow qualifying municipalities to use funds from the Enterprise Zone Assistance Fund for transportation infrastructure projects. It revises the definition of "qualified assistance fund expenses" to explicitly include costs for constructing, repairing, upgrading, or maintaining roads, bridges, public transit facilities, and related debt service. Previously, such projects were limited to corridors within enterprise zones; this change broadens eligibility to all transportation infrastructure improvements statewide. The policy directly affects UEZ program municipalities seeking to fund transportation projects using state assistance funds.