Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture, working with the Department of Education, to create a standardized online application system for schools to enroll students in the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast programs. It directly affects all public school districts and nonprofit nonpublic schools participating in these federal meal programs. Schools must offer this online application alongside paper options, and those already using their own online systems have one year to switch to the new state-developed system. The goal is to streamline enrollment for free/reduced-price meals while maintaining accessibility through paper alternatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $20 million in supplemental funding for New Jersey's STEM Teachers Loan Redemption and Tuition Reimbursement Programs. It directly affects new STEM teachers (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) who are graduating from educator preparation programs or completing STEM graduate studies in 2021-2022 and are hired as novice teachers in New Jersey public schools. Participants receive an upfront lump-sum payment covering up to 25% of eligible student loan or tuition costs (capped at $20,000) in exchange for a legally binding commitment to teach STEM for four consecutive school years. Failure to complete the four-year service period requires repayment of the benefit as a loan.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with state contracts to pay employees their usual wages for each day of jury service, minus the per diem fee the court provides. It directly affects employers who hold state contracts and employ at least 50 people for 20+ weeks annually, and employees with at least 12 months of service and 1,000 base hours in the prior year. Employers must cover the wage gap during jury duty (paying full wages minus the court's per diem), preventing income loss. Violations can result in fines or lawsuits, allowing employees to seek damages or reinstatement within 90 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey firearm owners to store unloaded guns and ammunition separately in locked safes or containers at their residence. First-time violations mandate 10-40 hours of community service with approved gun violence prevention organizations, while repeat offenses are classified as disorderly persons offenses. Retailers must display mandatory warnings about storage requirements at purchase counters and provide written notices to customers. It repeals prior laws governing minors' access to firearms and appropriates $500,000 for a public awareness campaign on safe storage.

Maddy summaryS 2263 creates a $750,000 grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to help public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools maintain after-school activities that supplement students' academic learning (like debate clubs, theater, and music programs). Schools can apply for funds to cover costs for specific activities they offer, with priority given to those most impacted by pandemic-related revenue losses. The program requires schools to specify which activities will receive funding and allows the Education Commissioner to set application rules and criteria. This is a direct funding mechanism for non-academic school activities, not a policy change affecting broader education systems.

Maddy summaryS 2195 requires sellers of residential property and landlords renting residential units to disclose if a cellular telephone transmitter is located within 100 feet of the property. Sellers must provide a written statement to buyers at contract signing, allowing buyers to cancel within five business days. Landlords must include a prominent disclosure in leases for units near transmitters. Municipal clerks must maintain a public list of transmitter locations, and owners must report locations annually to the municipality; failure to disclose may result in fines up to $500 per violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2246) allows New Jersey law enforcement agencies to confidentially share information about juveniles involved in family crises with their school principals. The principal and designated staff can use this information to plan educational and social development programs for the student. The bill explicitly prohibits using this shared information for school discipline and requires that no records of the information be kept, except as authorized by the State Board of Education. It directly affects students in crisis situations and their schools by enabling coordinated support planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates New Jersey's "Purple Ribbon Schools Program" within the Department of Education to annually recognize public and nonpublic schools that demonstrate progress in creating positive school climates. It directly affects schools that provide safe, inclusive environments for students and staff, raise suicide prevention awareness, and address student and staff mental health through specific initiatives. The program requires the Commissioner to form a working group - including educators, mental health experts, and students - to develop selection criteria focused on diversity efforts, inclusive policies (like wellness rooms), mental health support programs, and staff training in mental health first aid. Schools meeting these criteria will receive recognition based on a scoring system developed by the working group.

Maddy summaryThis bill invalidates arbitration agreements when a business fraudulently creates a contract with a consumer - such as by opening accounts without consent using stolen personal information. It directly affects consumers who were victimized by such fraud and businesses that misuse consumer data to force arbitration. The key provision states that arbitration agreements become unenforceable if the underlying contract was fraudulently established, preventing businesses from compelling arbitration in these cases. This change ensures consumers can pursue claims in court rather than behind closed doors in arbitration. The bill responds to incidents like Wells Fargo’s unauthorized account creation scheme but applies broadly to any business engaging in similar fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program to improve student literacy in New Jersey schools by training teachers. School districts must apply with proposals showing how the training addresses literacy gaps (based on state assessment data), and up to 15 districts will be selected for geographic diversity. Participating districts will provide 70-hour literacy training to teachers across all subjects, funded using federal pandemic relief funds. After two years, districts must report on outcomes, and the Education Commissioner will recommend whether to expand the program statewide.