Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes county vocational school districts with existing automotive programs to create electric vehicle (EV) certification programs. It allows these schools to partner with private companies to develop training for EV-related careers - including automotive technology, engineering, and maintenance - and issue certifications to students who complete the programs. The bill requires schools to identify needed skills, develop training curricula, and may consult national industry standards or the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities during program design. The certification directly benefits students seeking career opportunities in the growing EV industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to operate a state-based telephone call center available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to help residents navigate the MVC’s website and complete online transactions. The call center must provide real-time assistance in both English and Spanish, with the MVC permitted to supplement this with web tutorials or recorded messages to reduce staffing needs. The MVC must also publish quarterly reports online detailing call volume, wait times, call purposes, and call durations. This directly affects MVC customers seeking online services and mandates specific operational requirements for the agency.

Maddy summaryS 4368 requires New Jersey to create a public awareness campaign and a dedicated call center to help residents understand and apply for six specific property tax relief programs, including the ANCHOR program, Homestead Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze), and Stay NJ Property Tax Credit. The campaign will explain eligibility, application steps, and required documents for these programs through media and online channels, while the call center will provide real-time assistance in English and three other common languages. The bill also mandates the Stay NJ Task Force to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing program statistics, costs, and recommendations for improvements. These changes aim to simplify access to property tax relief for eligible homeowners, tenants, veterans, seniors, and disabled residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Homelessness Prevention Program to add a new fee for filing eviction lawsuits and clarifies eligibility for assistance. It requires applicants to be New Jersey residents facing imminent eviction (due to unpaid rent), foreclosure, or imminent mortgage payment issues, while limiting eligibility to households earning under 80% of area median income. The program prioritizes vulnerable groups like disabled individuals, seniors, domestic violence victims, and families with children facing separation. Assistance for mortgage issues must be structured as a secured loan for owner-occupied homes meeting specific criteria. The bill directly affects renters and homeowners at risk of losing housing due to financial hardship who meet the program's strict income and eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for individuals aged 65 or older. It applies to individual policies, group plans, health maintenance organizations, and state/school employee health programs. The screening must be covered at the same level as other medical conditions, with "Alzheimer's and related disorders" defined as dementia causing significant impairment in daily functioning. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, applying to new or renewed contracts on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of Group R-2 buildings (like apartment complexes) and senior housing to display clear signage at every elevator showing the elevator servicer's contact information and elevator ID number. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create a public online database tracking elevator inspections, safety issues, and maintenance status. Additionally, DCA must establish a low-interest loan program specifically for senior housing owners to cover elevator maintenance costs. Building owners who fail to post required signage face escalating fines ($100 for first offense, up to $1,000 for repeat violations).

Maddy summaryS 3353 requires New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee to establish rules for housing resident farm employees on commercial farms, mandating compliance with state construction and safety standards and restricting use exclusively to such employees. The bill defines a "resident farm employee" as a full-time agricultural worker on the farm (excluding full-time equine-related staff), ensuring housing meets specific criteria. Once adopted, this housing will be eligible for "Right to Farm" protection under state law, preventing municipalities from denying building permits or occupancy certificates for compliant housing. The policy change extends existing agricultural protections to farm worker housing, aligning it with the "Right to Farm Act" framework.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness Day" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day through awareness activities. The bill highlights NEC - a serious intestinal disease affecting premature infants that can cause life-threatening complications, long-term health issues, and high healthcare costs - without creating new laws or funding. It aligns with existing national observances like World NEC Awareness Day.

Maddy summaryS 3199 establishes the New Jersey-Haiti Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and Haiti, with a specific focus on addressing economic challenges faced by New Jersey's Haitian-American community - the state's fourth-largest Haitian population in the U.S. The 13-member commission, led by the Secretary of State and including 12 public members appointed by the Governor (based on legislative recommendations), will conduct research, hold quarterly public hearings, and analyze data on migration patterns, demographics, and economic impacts. It will identify opportunities for collaboration in areas like trade, healthcare, education, and cultural exchanges, then submit annual reports with policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. This bill creates a formal structure for ongoing dialogue and evidence-based policy development between New Jersey and Haiti.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (like banks, credit unions, and mortgage servicers) to allow homeowners (mortgagors) to choose biweekly payments (every two weeks), bimonthly payments (twice monthly), or extra payments directly to their mortgage principal - without penalties. It mandates that any amount paid beyond the annual required total in biweekly plans must reduce the principal balance. The law applies to all new mortgage agreements signed six months after enactment and affects homeowners seeking more flexible repayment options to potentially pay off loans faster. It does not change existing mortgage terms but expands payment choices for future agreements.