Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 286 allows counties and municipalities to create reduced water, sewer, and stormwater fees for low-income households. It permits local sewerage authorities and municipal water systems to lower charges for residents whose household income is at or below a threshold based on federal poverty guidelines, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria like residing in the dwelling unit and not receiving similar assistance elsewhere. Authorities must establish clear application processes requiring income documentation and advertise the program to residents. The bill requires that local governments have sufficient budget flexibility to cover revenue losses from these reductions without raising rates for other customers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2693 establishes an Interagency Council on Menopause within New Jersey's Department of Health to improve care for people experiencing menopause. The council, composed of 15 members including health experts, individuals with menopause experience, and representatives from women's health organizations, will develop evidence-based resources, support research, and foster collaboration among healthcare providers. It will create culturally sensitive educational materials for healthcare professionals and make policy recommendations to the Legislature on improving menopause-related care and services. The council must report to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of the bill's effective date and annually thereafter on its work and findings.
Maddy summarySJR 85 is a symbolic resolution designating September of each year as "Menopause Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about menopause, a natural biological process affecting women typically aged 40-59. The resolution requests the Governor issue annual proclamations encouraging community activities to foster discussion about menopause symptoms and experiences. It specifically references New Jersey's 2019 population of 1.2 million women in this age group. The bill is procedural and has no direct regulatory or financial impact.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover community violence prevention services for eligible residents. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who would gain access to evidence-based violence prevention programs, such as counseling and neighborhood safety initiatives. The bill establishes a state training and certification program to ensure violence prevention professionals meet specific standards. These services would be added to Medicaid's covered benefits under existing state law, expanding access without altering current Medicaid eligibility rules. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Read Act establishes requirements for library materials in New Jersey public school libraries and public libraries, requiring school boards and library governing bodies to adopt policies that ensure access to diverse and inclusive materials. The bill defines "diverse and inclusive material" as content reflecting protected classes under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, materials produced by authors regardless of their protected class status, and materials containing authors' views on contemporary issues, while excluding age-inappropriate content. It creates procedures for challenging library materials, including review committees and requiring that challenged materials remain available until a final decision is made. The bill also provides legal protections for school library media specialists and librarians, granting them immunity from liability for good-faith actions and a civil cause of action against those who harass them for complying with the law.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen Transportation Services Task Force" to study and recommend improvements to transportation services for people with disabilities and senior citizens in New Jersey. The task force, composed of seven members including state agency representatives and advocates, will examine specific issues like transportation barriers, infrastructure coordination, real-time transit technology, and accessible vehicle innovations. It must submit a report with findings and legislative proposals to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its formation. The task force will expire upon submitting this report, with no direct funding or enforcement mechanisms outlined.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to establish local animal control programs that provide services, enforce state animal control laws, and implement specific protocols for handling stray animals, threats to public safety, and homeless cat populations. Each municipality must appoint a municipal health officer to oversee the program, prioritize its funding, and report quarterly to local government and the state Department of Health (DOH). The DOH will provide oversight, handle complaints about unaddressed animal control issues, and administer a $500,000 grant program to help municipalities cover costs. Additionally, programs must include a homeless cat initiative, potentially involving colony management with spay/neuter procedures and record-keeping for cat care.
Maddy summaryS 1797 prohibits transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) from charging fares above the standard rate during a state of emergency declared by the Governor or President. The ban takes effect immediately upon declaration and lasts 72 hours, with the Governor able to extend it in 72-hour increments. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $20,000 per offense. This directly affects riders and companies in New Jersey during emergencies, preventing fare spikes when transportation demand rises.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program for school-based mentoring in New Jersey public schools located within 1,000 feet of gunfire (defined as "crisis zones" where gunfire occurred in the prior school year). It directly affects kindergarten through third-grade students at risk for mental health disorders or substance abuse in selected schools. The program requires weekly 25-minute mentoring sessions focused on building emotional resilience, monitoring emotions, developing coping skills, and improving social skills like peer interactions. Participating schools must identify at-risk students, train mentors (max 20 students per mentor), and evaluate progress in behavior, task focus, and social skills at three intervals. The commissioner will report on the program's feasibility for statewide implementation after the pilot concludes.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey school districts from denying students entry to school due to tardiness or violations of dress code or uniform policies. It directly affects students who might otherwise face exclusion for minor infractions like being late or not wearing a required uniform. The law adds a clear prohibition against denying entry for these reasons, while allowing schools to enforce dress codes through existing disciplinary procedures. Exceptions apply only for violations specifically addressed under the current dress code enforcement process outlined in existing law.