Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other relevant state departments (like Health, Human Services, and Education) to post links and information about "baby boxes" and safe sleep education on their websites. Baby boxes are cardboard containers filled with essentials like diapers and safe sleep guides, designed as a safe sleep environment for infants. The bill mandates that all these departments make this information easily accessible, printable, and updated regularly. It directly affects expecting and new parents by improving access to resources that support infant safety and care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Women’s Menstrual Health Program within New Jersey’s Department of Health to identify and assist individuals experiencing menstrual symptoms potentially linked to endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires healthcare providers to screen patients using evidence-based guidelines, provide referrals for treatment, and offer education to both medical staff and the public. It mandates the creation of online resources with clinical guidelines for providers and public materials about these conditions. Patient data collected will be kept confidential and used solely for improving care, without disclosing individual identities. The program directly affects menstruating individuals who display symptoms of these disorders, aiming to improve early detection and management.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by raising the state's matching percentage of the federal credit from current rates up to 45% for tax years starting in 2026. It directly affects low-income New Jersey residents, particularly single adults without children who were previously ineligible due to age requirements but meet federal EITC criteria. Key provisions include expanding eligibility to residents aged 18+ without qualifying children and allowing those filing separately due to domestic abuse to claim the credit. The changes apply to tax years beginning in 2022 and later, with benefit calculations tied to the federal credit amount for each filing status.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's confidentiality rules for eviction court records to allow specific legal aid organizations access. It directly affects Legal Services of New Jersey, certified non-profit public interest groups, law school clinics, and pro bono programs approved under NJ Supreme Court Rule 1:21-11(b). The key provision removes confidentiality barriers, permitting these organizations to view eviction records without requiring a notice of appearance by their attorney. This enables them to provide immediate legal assistance to unrepresented tenants facing eviction. The change applies to records from "emergency period" nonpayment cases under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to voluntarily donate unused meal plan funds at the end of a semester to a new state emergency meal fund. Public institutions must create policies to verify unused funds (including leftover cash or unused meal points) and transfer donations directly to the fund. The fund then provides all donated money to the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks, which distributes it to food banks across the state. The policy applies to all public higher education institutions starting with the first full academic year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of apartment buildings with nine or more units to provide specific maintenance services, including daily cleaning of common areas, snow/ice removal from sidewalks, and operating heating equipment. Municipalities can also require similar maintenance for buildings with six to eight units. Owners must designate a person or company to handle these services - either a resident owner, on-site staff, or an off-site provider within 200 feet - and post their contact information publicly. The law applies to all qualifying buildings and ensures owners or their designated providers are responsible for compliance and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (with input from the Department of Labor) to create and distribute pamphlets explaining state family leave programs under the 1989 Family Leave Act. The materials must be provided to all maternity care patients at discharge and displayed in waiting areas at hospitals and licensed facilities offering maternity services. Hospitals must include these pamphlets in discharge plans for patients' designated caregivers, alongside instructions for after-care tasks. The bill targets maternity patients and healthcare facilities, ensuring they receive clear information about available family leave benefits without creating new entitlements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2169 provides tax credits to businesses that hire apprentices in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)-registered programs. Businesses receive a base $1,000 credit per apprentice per tax year, with an additional $2,000 credit if the apprentice is a veteran, displaced worker, previously incarcerated, or from an underrepresented group (based on race, gender, etc.). To qualify, the apprentice must be employed for at least seven months during the tax year, and the credit cannot be claimed for more than four years per apprentice. The bill also prohibits using these credits to displace existing workers or undermine collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Fostering Success Voucher Act" to provide rental assistance and case management services to young adults aged 18-26 who were in foster care or kinship care and are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. Eligible individuals must reside in New Jersey, meet moderate-income standards, and agree to participate in case management services provided by approved agencies. The program, administered by the Department of Community Affairs, appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to fund rental vouchers comparable to existing state rental assistance programs and secure required case management support. It directly affects young adults transitioning from foster care systems by offering financial stability and support services to prevent homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1581) would amend New Jersey law to allow wineries producing more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to ship directly to consumers within the state. It specifically modifies the Class A license framework for alcohol producers (though the bill title references wine while the text discusses malt beverages, which may indicate a discrepancy). The key provision would remove current restrictions preventing large wineries from selling directly to consumers via mail or delivery, expanding their distribution options. This change would directly affect larger commercial wineries in New Jersey seeking to sell directly to end users. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee.