Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to gather and report specific data about undergraduate students who are parents or legal guardians of children under 18. Under the legislation, institutions must submit an annual report to the Secretary of Higher Education by July 1 each year, detailing the number of student parents enrolled in both full-time and part-time programs broken down by demographic groups, along with their academic outcomes such as transfer, withdrawal, and graduation rates. The reports must be made publicly available on each institution's website, and the state secretary will compile a statewide summary of this data for public access. All collected information must remain confidential and comply with privacy laws, ensuring no personal identifying details are disclosed.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the New Jersey transfer inheritance tax for step-grandchildren by treating them the same as biological grandchildren and stepchildren. It amends state law to classify step-grandchildren as Class A beneficiaries, making their property transfers tax-exempt rather than subject to the current 15-16 percent tax rate. The change applies to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2025, and does not allow for refunds of taxes paid before that date.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses operating within New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zones to receive a 50 percent sales and use tax exemption on telephone, mail-order, and internet transactions. It also permits these qualified businesses to file quarterly tax returns instead of monthly ones and increases the allowable administrative expenses that municipalities can claim for managing the zones. The legislation defines a "qualified business" as one that employs at least 25 percent of its full-time staff in the zone, with employees who are local residents, unemployed New Jersey residents, or low-income individuals.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary study commission to examine how hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts train their staff to recognize and interact with individuals who have autism, Down syndrome, or other developmental disabilities. The commission will consist of seven members appointed by state officials and will meet for one year to conduct public hearings and gather information before submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature. The report will include findings and recommendations, after which the commission will dissolve.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 50% exemption from New Jersey's sales and use tax for qualifying retail businesses operating in municipalities affected by ongoing public highway projects. It directly affects small businesses with a fixed location (such as shops or charter boat services) located in areas where highway construction, repair, or maintenance is underway. Businesses must apply to the Division of Taxation for approval, and the exemption applies only during the "relief period" - the time between a project's start and completion. The exemption automatically ends when the highway project concludes, as notified by the Commissioner of Transportation to the Tax Division.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to reimburse small retail businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) for increased operating costs caused by public highway projects. It also provides a 50% sales and use tax exemption for eligible businesses in municipalities affected by these projects. The grants cover the difference between a business's normal operating expenses and the increased costs during the project's duration, requiring documentation of both periods. The program is funded by a $1 million appropriation, with applications reviewed by the EDA using criteria defined in the bill.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 106) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules - adopted January 20, 2026, and known as NJPACT-REAL - are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by adopting these rules without explicit legislative approval, as the DEP claimed authority under outdated laws that never intended to cover climate regulations. The rules significantly expand flood hazard areas, restrict development rights for property owners, and impact housing costs and property values. This resolution does not change the rules but formally states the Legislature’s position that the DEP must await future legislative action on climate policy.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to hire additional staff to reduce backlogs in processing professional license applications and renewals. It appropriates $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028 specifically for this purpose, directly affecting license applicants and regulated professions like healthcare, engineering, and contracting. The Division must report yearly on staffing changes, backlog reductions, and spending details to the Governor and Legislature. This funding aims to improve efficiency in license processing, supporting economic development and consumer protection as stated in the bill.
Maddy summaryS 1413 requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to create and maintain an online open data portal on its website. The portal must provide public access to specific non-confidential datasets, including license application volumes, processing times, active license counts by county, exam pass rates, and consumer complaint statistics. Key mechanisms include annual updates, the ability to sort data by profession/county, and year-over-year comparisons, while ensuring compliance with open records laws and privacy regulations. This bill directly affects the Division of Consumer Affairs (which must implement the portal) and the public (which gains access to transparency data about licensing and complaints). The portal will not include confidential or non-disclosable information under state or federal law.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to automatically approve physician applications for provider networks if the physician holds a valid, unrevoked medical license from the state Board of Medical Examiners. It applies to both new applications and renewals, streamlining the process for licensed physicians seeking to join insurance networks. Carriers may request additional non-duplicative information but cannot deny applications based solely on license status. The law affects physicians seeking network participation and insurers managing provider credentialing.