Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $3.5 million supplemental appropriation from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Freehold Regional School District for additional state school aid. It directly affects over 10,000 high school students in the district, specifically allowing the district to continue offering "courtesy busing" transportation - non-mandatory services for students living less than 2.5 miles from school. The funding prevents the district from eliminating this service, which it planned to cut due to prior state aid reductions totaling $20 million since 2019. The bill specifies the funds must be used to maintain this transportation for approximately 30% of students who rely on it due to unsafe walking conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in grades 11 and 12 as part of career readiness education. It mandates schools to encourage students and their families to complete the FAFSA, while directing the Commissioner of Education to publish clear resources for completing it. The law applies to all public school districts in New Jersey and takes effect in the first full school year after enactment. It focuses on providing practical guidance to help students access federal financial aid for college.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to expand eligibility for accidental disability benefits. It allows state employees who worked at a psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately before joining PERS to apply for benefits if they sustained a work-related injury after January 2003 - even if the injury occurred before they became a PERS member. The key change deems such injuries as happening during membership, making the employee eligible for the benefit. This adjustment specifically applies to injuries from duties at these facilities, without altering the requirement that injuries must be work-related and reported within five years (with exceptions for delayed symptoms).

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2059 would create a program allowing groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) to take over transportation for students who legally require bus service from public school districts. Under the bill, participating school districts would pay consortia the current transportation funding rate ($1,022 per student) instead of providing buses directly, with consortia assuming all transportation responsibilities for those students. Consortia could also offer optional transportation to other students (within 20 miles) if parents cover costs, and must refund unused funds to districts. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024, before moving forward.

Maddy summaryS 455 prohibits public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey from requiring students to wear face masks indoors or outdoors on school property or while riding school buses. The bill directly affects all students attending these schools by removing mandatory mask-wearing rules in those settings. It explicitly allows students to voluntarily wear masks if they choose. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain large food waste generators (like supermarkets, restaurants, or food processors) to continue disposing of food waste at sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas to generate Class I renewable energy, instead of sending it to recycling facilities. It specifically applies to generators who were already using this landfill method as of April 14, 2020, and requires them to maintain this disposal practice to remain compliant. The bill amends existing law to exempt these generators from the standard requirement to source-separate and recycle food waste, provided they use landfills that convert methane gas into renewable energy. This creates a permanent exception for qualifying facilities while maintaining the core goal of reducing landfill waste.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 31) from New Jersey urges Congress to formally designate "The Most Beautiful Lady in the World: Statue of Liberty Anthem" (written by Helmut and Paul Calabrese) as the official anthem for the Statue of Liberty. It does not create binding law but requests Congress pass legislation for this symbolic recognition. The resolution highlights the song's history, including its performance at the 100th anniversary celebration, and describes it as an "inspirational dedication" to the monument. The bill directly affects the ceremonial identity of the Statue of Liberty, though it has no legal effect without congressional action.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) from denying child care subsidies to teachers and school employees based on their weekly work hours during periods when schools are not in session for students (e.g., summer or holidays). It directly affects school staff who would otherwise lose eligibility due to reduced hours outside the school year, while maintaining their requirement to participate in regular subsidy redetermination processes. The key provision amends eligibility criteria to ensure these workers are not deemed ineligible for subsidies solely because they work fewer hours during non-school periods. This change aligns with existing income and residency requirements but removes the hour-based restriction during school breaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates legal immunity for New Jersey prosecutors who fail to disclose evidence that could prove a defendant's innocence (exculpatory evidence) in criminal cases. It directly affects state, county, and municipal prosecutors, as well as their agencies, by making them personally liable for violations of evidence disclosure rules established under federal court rulings (Brady v. Maryland and Giglio v. United States). Key provisions require courts to notify ethics officials within 24 hours of a disclosure violation and allow victims to sue for damages, attorney fees, and other relief. The bill removes blanket immunity for such failures, holding prosecutors and their agencies accountable under civil law. It does not change the standard for evidence disclosure but ensures consequences when prosecutors ignore existing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 655) restricts property tax appeals by prohibiting taxpayers from challenging assessments or exemptions for *other properties* in their county. It specifically stops appeals related to financial agreements (like tax abatement deals) between a property owner and a local government. Under current law, taxpayers could appeal assessments for any property in their county, but this bill limits appeals to only the taxpayer's own property. Local governments retain their right to appeal assessments for any property, and the law applies to all property tax appeals filed after enactment.