Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for New Jersey school districts to complete their annual financial audits for the 2024-2025 school year. It delays the audit completion date to January 10 and the filing deadline with the Commissioner of Education to January 15 (from the standard five-month timeline after the school year ends). This is a temporary adjustment specific to the 2024-2025 school year, following similar extensions for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years under prior law. The bill directly affects all public school districts required to submit annual financial audits under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) rules to include pay for extracurricular activities in teachers' compensation calculations. Currently, additional pay for activities like coaching sports teams, directing school plays, or advising clubs isn't counted toward pension benefits. The bill would require that such additional pay be included when calculating a teacher's final compensation for pension purposes. It specifically defines extracurricular duties to include preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. This change would directly affect teachers who receive extra pay for these activities, potentially increasing their future pension benefits.

Maddy summaryS 4660 eliminates a $25 application fee for individuals or healthcare providers to appeal insurance denials, reductions, or terminations of health benefits through New Jersey's Independent Health Care Appeals Program. It directly affects covered people (patients) and healthcare providers who must contest an insurer's final decision after exhausting the insurer's internal appeals process. The bill removes the financial barrier by deleting the fee requirement (previously allowing hardship waivers), while maintaining the 60-day application window and documentation requirements. This change applies only to appeals about medical necessity or appropriateness of services, not to coverage exclusions. The policy shift aims to make the appeals process more accessible without altering the program's scope or review standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for school counselors in New Jersey public schools, charter schools, and renaissance school projects. It defines school counselors as those holding a specific state certification and mandates their duties, including supporting students' academic, career, social, and emotional needs through individual planning, classroom lessons, and referrals. The bill requires all school counselors to complete mandated professional development in areas like mental health awareness, suicide prevention, cultural competency, and trauma-informed practices. It also creates a new State School Counselor Liaison position within the Department of Education to coordinate best practices, support professional development, and report annually to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit annual reports by February 1st detailing every recorded vote they cast (or their affiliates cast) at PJM Interconnection meetings during the previous year. The reports must list each vote, describe meeting context (purpose, agenda, utility’s role), and explain how each vote supports state goals for affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will compile these reports into an annual summary for the Governor and Legislature. This applies to all electric utilities operating in New Jersey and aims to increase transparency around how ratepayer-funded decisions are made in PJM forums.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Summer Termination Program" that prevents utility disconnections for eligible residential customers during extreme heat. It prohibits local authorities, municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and public utilities from cutting off electric, water, or sewer service if a 72-hour heat forecast shows temperatures reaching or exceeding 85°F for 24+ hours. Eligibility includes customers receiving assistance under the existing Winter Termination Program or those facing financial hardship due to unemployment, illness, medical expenses, or family emergencies. The program requires departments to establish a self-certification process for customers claiming hardship, ensuring service continuity during dangerous heat events.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to apply for accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows members to file within two years of this bill's effective date (with possible two-year extensions), replacing the previous deadline of two years after a 2019 law. The bill also relaxes medical documentation requirements, permitting members to use evidence from medical exams performed before or after entering public service instead of requiring proof they passed a pre-employment physical. Retirement systems must notify members about these changes within 60 days of enactment through certified mail.

Maddy summaryS 1297 requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and issue digital versions of driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards accessible on mobile devices like smartphones. These digital cards must include all information from physical licenses and feature security measures to prevent fraud, while allowing users to update records (e.g., address changes) through the digital system - where digital updates override physical card details. Residents who meet standard licensing requirements can voluntarily request a digital card, for which the MVC may charge a fee. The bill mandates that the MVC ensure system security, integrity, and compliance with data protection standards for all digital card holders.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4147) requires New Jersey’s State Board of Medical Examiners to allow physicians to use one optional credit of continuing medical education (CME) focused on menopause toward their biennial license renewal. The credit covers specific topics including menopause’s physiological/psychological aspects, treatments (like hormone therapy), related health risks (e.g., cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis), and patient communication strategies. Physicians who complete this training receive standard CME credit (counting toward their required 100 hours) and may qualify for financial assistance or specialized recognition. The bill defines menopause as the natural process where a woman permanently stops menstruating after 12 months without periods. It does not apply to advanced practice nurses, as the bill text specifies physicians only.

Maddy summaryS 4071 redirects $400 million in tax credits from the Community-Anchored Development Program and Cultural Arts Incentives Program to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). The bill requires HMFA to conduct competitive tax credit auctions to sell these credits, with annual limits of $75 million and a minimum sale price of 85% of the credit value. Proceeds from these auctions must fund middle-income workforce housing developments, defined as housing for households earning 80-120% of the local median income, located near public transportation or job opportunities. This housing must be deed-restricted for these income-eligible households.