Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for services to individuals aged 21-29 with developmental disabilities from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Specifically, it moves eligibility determination, service provision, and facility oversight for this age group from DHS's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to DCF's Children's System of Care (CSOC). The change delays the current transition age from 21 to 30 years, extending youth-focused services. The bill requires an inter-agency agreement between DHS and DCF to manage the transition and updates relevant laws to reflect the new departmental responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Virtual Currency and Blockchain Regulation Act," establishes rules for regulating virtual currencies and blockchain tokens in New Jersey. It requires developers and sellers of "open blockchain tokens" to file a notice with the Department of Banking and Insurance before sale, pay a $1,000 fee, and ensure tokens are marketed for personal use (like purchasing goods or services) rather than as investments. Resellers (facilitators) must verify tokens meet these requirements and stop selling non-compliant tokens. The bill defines key terms to clarify which tokens fall under its rules, aiming to prevent fraudulent sales and protect consumers.

Maddy summaryS 457 expands New Jersey's "Nosey's Law" (P.L.2018, c.141) by banning rabbits, hares, and rodents from traveling animal acts like circuses and carnivals. It removes previous exemptions for domestic animals such as cows, horses, and dogs, adding these species to the prohibited list. The bill limits existing exceptions to apply only to educational institutions - outreach programs at schools can still use animals for bona fide education, but not for general entertainment. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities with ocean or tidal water shorelines to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. It amends existing law to make this free access mandatory (replacing the previous optional provision) for qualifying veterans, including those discharged due to medical reasons. Municipalities must accept federal discharge documents (like DD-214 forms) or state-issued veteran IDs as proof. The policy directly affects shore municipalities and veterans meeting the discharge criteria, eliminating fees they previously might have paid.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1188) amends New Jersey's "Extended Employment Act" to modernize support for people with significant disabilities. It revises key definitions - such as replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment" to describe nonprofit-run programs providing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities who cannot compete in the open labor market. The bill updates funding mechanisms to tie annual increases to the CPI-W index (not fixed amounts) and requires contracted providers to submit detailed annual reports on participant outcomes. It directly affects nonprofit service providers administering these programs and people with significant disabilities who qualify for extended employment services. The changes aim to better align program structure with current vocational rehabilitation standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $500,000 in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Huntington's Disease Grant Program within the Department of Health. The funds will support grants to institutions of higher education, non-profits, and New Jersey-based research organizations for services including pre-symptomatic testing, neurology care, counseling, and disease management. It directly benefits approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and an estimated 7,000 at-risk individuals. The supplemental appropriation increases the program's total FY2023 funding from $200,437 to $700,437. The bill does not change eligibility but expands existing support for medical care and counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public and private institutions of higher education from receiving state funding if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses. Specifically, it blocks state operating aid, state bond proceeds, and student financial aid for institutions that boycott Israel's goods, boycott entities doing business with Israel, divest due to a company's support of Israel, or participate in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The law excludes divestment for "prudent economic reasons" and applies to all parts of an institution, including endowment funds. The bill takes immediate effect and directly impacts colleges receiving any state education funding.

Maddy summaryS 1566 creates a $10 million grant program to support volunteer fire companies in New Jersey by funding operational costs and emergency equipment like protective gear, tools, and training. The program, managed by the Division of Fire Safety, requires volunteer fire companies to apply with detailed plans for fund use and report on expenditures and impact within one year. The bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the new "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund," which will distribute grants annually to maximize participation across the state. This directly affects community-based volunteer fire departments seeking financial assistance for sustainability.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 805 requires the Department of Health to create a standardized system categorizing maternity care facilities into five levels based on the complexity of care they provide. This directly affects all hospitals and birthing centers offering inpatient maternity services, defining their capabilities for low-risk (Level I) through highly complex cases (Level IV, including regional centers for critically ill patients). The bill mandates facilities meet specific clinical standards - such as ACOG guidelines for hospitals and AABC standards for birthing centers - and establish transfer protocols between levels to ensure seamless care. It also requires participation in a Maternal Data Center to track outcomes and reduce preventable complications and health inequities in maternal care.