Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 4179 establishes the New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force to study the state's eviction challenges. The 23-member task force includes government officials, legislative representatives, legal experts, and community advocates from groups like the New Jersey Tenants Organization and Legal Services of New Jersey. It will examine eviction causes, impacts on renters and landlords, legal assistance gaps, and potential policy solutions, with a focus on affordable housing and homelessness connections. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its formation. This bill creates a study group only - no immediate policy changes are enacted.

Maddy summaryThe "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" requires landlords to register with detailed information (including contact details and Social Security numbers for corporate owners) and mandates 90 days of registration before courts can issue eviction judgments. It establishes a tiered inspection system for multiple dwellings based on violation history, with more frequent inspections for properties with unresolved safety issues, and requires landlords who accept federal rental subsidies to register for 90 days before receiving rehabilitation funding. The act ensures courts address habitability violations by directing tenant rent payments toward repairs when non-payment is due to unsafe conditions. This bill directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties, particularly in multiple-dwelling buildings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to help new nurses transition into practice through support for healthcare facilities. It requires the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN) to create a 12-month transition program for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses at facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and home care providers, with mandatory mentorship and data collection on program completers. Facilities must apply for NJCCN approval to receive financial, material, and technical support, with $2 million annually allocated for this purpose - prioritizing veterans' homes, long-term care, and home care providers. The bill also updates the NJCCN's governance structure to include more nurse representatives on its 17-member board.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts that receive preschool education aid to establish a "mixed delivery system" for preschool. It mandates these districts to partner with local licensed child care centers and Head Start programs to provide free preschool opportunities, maximizing use of these community providers where they meet quality standards. Districts must not assign children to specific programs based on age or cost factors affecting education. The New Jersey Department of Education will enforce this requirement and provide guidance to districts, providers, and Head Start programs on implementation.

Maddy summaryS 4245 extends the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman's authority to address complaints about abuse or exploitation of elderly residents in senior housing communities. The bill specifically applies to housing that meets federal standards for senior living, defined as "age-restricted developments" under the Fair Housing Amendments Act. Under this bill, the Ombudsman must now receive, process, and resolve such complaints directly. This change ensures elderly residents in these housing settings have a clear, formal channel to report issues and seek assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a dedicated Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within every New Jersey state department or agency. Each office will be led by a Chief DEI Officer appointed by the department head or Governor, responsible for centralizing DEI expertise, analyzing workplace data, developing tailored training, and advising on operational improvements to foster a more inclusive workplace. The offices must use data only to advance equity for New Jersey communities under state/federal law and explicitly prohibit sharing data for civil immigration enforcement. The bill applies directly to all state departments, agencies, and their employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies court procedures for visitation rights of incapacitated individuals (wards) under guardianship. It requires courts to set a hearing and issue a temporary visitation order within 10 days of a request. The bill establishes a strong presumption in favor of visitation, meaning it can only be denied with clear and convincing evidence that it harms the ward, and courts must document this decision. Courts retain discretion to impose conditions like supervised visitation if needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program to provide pet food assistance for cat and dog owners facing financial hardship. The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) must partner with selected non-profits and volunteer groups to operate food banks for pets, using a $1 million state appropriation. The program includes liability protections for good-faith donors and distributors of pet food, and requires the DOH to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year with recommendations on making the program permanent or ending it. The initiative directly affects pet owners in financial need and the non-profits managing the food distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," would allow New Jersey residents aged 55 or older who have lived in the same rental unit (not public housing) for at least 10 years and earn $80,000 or less annually to apply for "protected senior citizen tenant" status. Approved tenants would limit rent increases to 75% of the annual Consumer Price Index change in their region, adjusted each year. Landlords violating this limit could face penalties of $500 or three times the excess rent, plus legal fees. Landlords may request hardship waivers if the limit causes financial strain, but waivers do not override local rent control laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for multiple medical visits to different specialty providers at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) on the same day for enrollees. It mandates that referring providers document the medical necessity for each visit and ensures each encounter is with a distinct specialty provider. The bill explicitly states it does not override federal Medicaid rules, aligning with existing state regulations that currently limit FQHC visits to one per day unless multiple conditions or separate return visits occur. This change directly affects NJ FamilyCare enrollees seeking specialized care at FQHCs in underserved areas.