Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents homeowners' associations, condominiums, and cooperatives in New Jersey from charging transfer fees when members place their unit or shares into a living, revocable trust. It clarifies that such trust placements do not count as a "title transfer," eliminating fees like membership, capital contribution, or transfer taxes that associations might otherwise impose. Associations may still charge a reasonable fee covering actual administrative costs for processing the transfer. The law directly affects residents of common interest communities who use living trusts for estate planning, particularly seniors. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySJR 24 establishes the "Autism and Mental Disorders Study Commission" to examine how hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts currently train staff to interact with people with autism, Down syndrome, and other mental disorders. The commission, composed of seven appointed members including state health and human services officials, will study existing training protocols and issue a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year. It will dissolve 30 days after submitting its final report. This resolution does not enact new laws but directs a study of current practices affecting these organizations and the individuals they serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to collect and share data on residents seeking affordable housing. DCA must create an online system for residents to submit where they currently live, work, and where they want affordable housing, and also gather similar data from housing agencies. Each year by January 31, DCA will compile this information into a municipal-level report and send it to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). This data will help COAH better understand actual demand for affordable housing across the state to guide housing allocation decisions. The bill directly affects residents seeking housing and the state agency responsible for assigning affordable housing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1491) reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to members of New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees in these systems by ensuring their benefits automatically increase each year to match inflation, without requiring new legislative action each time. The key mechanism is restoring a provision that had been removed, so benefits rise automatically based on the Consumer Price Index rather than relying on annual budget decisions. This change provides predictable income stability for retirees as living costs change. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 702 adopts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining full separate licenses. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" that eliminates redundant licensing requirements, facilitates interstate mobility for professionals, and increases public access to dental services. Key provisions include sharing disciplinary records between states, maintaining each state's scope-of-practice rules, and enabling military members and their spouses to relocate more easily. This directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to practice across state lines and patients in participating states. The compact does not change individual state licensing standards but creates a streamlined process for cross-state practice.

Maddy summaryS 1345 creates a permanent "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force" within the Department of State. The task force, composed of 18 members including legislative leaders, community representatives (like Hadassah and ADL), and experts, will research anti-Semitism and develop recommendations to address its harms. Its work directly affects Jewish communities in New Jersey, aiming to improve safety at synagogues, schools, and institutions amid rising hate incidents. The bill requires the task force to produce actionable plans based on its research, without specifying new funding or enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 725) criminalizes squatting by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering vacant dwellings without permission to occupy), "unlawful occupancy" (taking up residence without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning to property after being evicted by court order). It presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they provide a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. The law affects individuals occupying vacant properties without owner consent, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. Currently, squatting isn't a criminal offense in New Jersey, requiring owners to seek court-ordered evictions instead.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 669) extends Medicaid reimbursement rates for telehealth-based partial care behavioral health and substance use disorder services for 180 days after the federal waiver expires, while permanently eliminating prior authorization requirements for these services. It directly affects Medicaid providers and beneficiaries receiving non-residential behavioral health care, including psychiatric care, counseling, and case management. Key provisions require providers to submit progress reports on transitioning to in-person services and cover up to five hours daily (five days weekly) without prior approval. The bill ensures continued access to critical care during the pandemic recovery period while reducing administrative barriers for providers.

Maddy summaryS 698 expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to cover tuition and fees for career and technical education programs at county colleges and county vocational schools. It directly affects adult students enrolled in these programs (e.g., nursing, culinary, or workforce training) who meet income limits ($0-$65,000 annual adjusted gross income) and apply for federal/state aid via FAFSA. The bill requires students to be in good academic standing and not owe prior grants, with grants covering costs not covered by other financial aid. Funding will be administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for students and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education for college support programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for students to provide a sales tax exemption form when purchasing school textbooks, affecting students, schools, and retailers (especially online sellers). It removes the need for schools to declare textbooks as required or be approved by the Department of Education, and clarifies that the exemption applies to all textbooks - new, used, electronic, or rented - regardless of condition. Currently, buyers must submit a form proving the book is required for school, creating hurdles for online purchases. The change simplifies the process while maintaining the existing sales tax exemption for educational materials.