Maddy summaryThis bill officially establishes five centers and programs at Rutgers University-Newark and allocates $6.5 million in annual state funding. It creates the Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race (to research race-politics links and support student careers), the Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity (to study systemic racism), the Center for Local Supply Chain Resiliency (to strengthen New Jersey's supply chains), the RE-OPEN program (to aid formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs), and the NJSTEP initiative (to provide college education for incarcerated individuals). Each center receives specific annual funding: $1 million for the first four, and $2.5 million for NJSTEP. The bill directly affects Rutgers Newark, students, formerly incarcerated individuals, and community groups engaged with these programs.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July after the bill takes effect. It directly affects local health departments across the state, which lost this dedicated, unrestricted funding when it was eliminated in 2011 (previously accounting for about 15% of their budget). The funding must be spent as outlined in the existing "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," restoring a flexible resource for local health needs. Currently, local health departments rely on fragmented funding sources like property taxes and purpose-limited grants, which this bill aims to supplement.
Maddy summaryS 2535 establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. The bill requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate of $9.09 per 15 minutes (currently $3.65), aligning with reimbursement rates for similar services under the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This change directly affects approved brain injury service providers who deliver structured day programs to Medicaid beneficiaries. The policy applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, ensuring consistent reimbursement for brain injury care.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" allowing qualified drivers to operate smaller school buses (defined as vehicles with max 9 passengers plus driver, used by schools for student transportation) without needing a commercial driver's license. To qualify, drivers must be 21+, hold a valid license for 3+ years, pass medical/vision exams, pass a knowledge test, and complete disability-specific training. The certificate holder faces penalties including license suspension for operating while suspended, leaving students unattended, or accumulating traffic violations, and must complete 10-hour safety training for reinstatement. This directly affects school bus drivers, school districts, and the Motor Vehicle Commission, streamlining operations for smaller school transportation vehicles.
Maddy summaryS 2284 establishes a new Office of Resilience within New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) to address the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. The office will develop trauma-informed strategies, run public awareness campaigns about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and create a community-informed virtual hub to support non-profits providing healing-centered services. It requires collaboration with early childhood providers, researchers, and community groups to build statewide systems that prevent ACEs, promote PCEs, and reduce trauma-related health and social costs. The office directly affects children and families exposed to trauma, with a focus on early intervention (ages 0-3) to improve lifelong health, educational outcomes, and community well-being.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1311 prohibits licensed real estate appraisers from considering protected characteristics - including race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability - when valuing properties. The bill directly affects all licensed and certified appraisers in the state by banning discriminatory factors in appraisal analyses. It requires appraisers to complete mandatory anti-bias training as part of their continuing education, including a fair housing and appraisal bias course. This law codifies existing anti-discrimination protections under state law and aims to prevent biased appraisals that could impact property values for marginalized communities.
Maddy summaryS 2181 temporarily removes a residency requirement for new hires by New Jersey school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects. For three years after the bill takes effect, these employers may hire out-of-state residents without requiring them to live in New Jersey, provided the position was advertised to New Jersey residents for at least three months and the new employee was not a New Jersey resident employed by such a school in the past year or during the three-year period. This exemption applies only to new hires meeting these conditions and does not affect current employees or positions that do not qualify. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly after passing the Senate unanimously.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act," creating a program within the Department of Human Services to help migrants and refugees access public assistance programs. The program connects individuals (including those from Haiti, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) with resources like housing, healthcare, job training, education, and legal services. It requires the Department to collaborate with local governments and community groups, run multilingual outreach campaigns, and submit annual reports tracking program effectiveness and service details. The law takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2531) requires public schools and senior residential centers used as polling places to create election-day security plans. It allows police officers (in plain clothes) to be present at these locations if requested by the center or school, provided they do not interfere with voters. Schools must establish locked, separate voting areas from student zones during elections if the school is in session. The bill also mandates a notification chain: the center/school must inform the district board 7 days before an election, which then notifies county election officials and the Secretary of State.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $9 million from New Jersey's General Fund to fund a three-year pilot program for project-based STEM education in nine school districts. It specifically targets at-risk students in grades six through eight, focusing on hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning through curriculum development, teacher training, and classroom resources. Four of the nine participating districts may include Camden, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton school districts. The program requires the state education commissioner to submit a final report evaluating its implementation and recommending whether it should be expanded statewide.