Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's bereavement leave provisions under the Family Leave Act (P.L.1989, c.261) and Temporary Disability Benefits Law (P.L.1948, c.110) to include leave for the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, termination of pregnancy for medical reasons, unsuccessful adoption, and failed fertility treatments. Employees who meet eligibility requirements can take up to 21 days of leave for circumstances where they wouldn't otherwise qualify for leave, or up to 7 days for circumstances where they would otherwise qualify. The leave applies to employees who are biological parents, adoptive parents, or parents through a gestational carrier agreement, as well as their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners. This legislation specifically addresses bereavement needs not previously covered under existing leave provisions for these specific personal losses.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for motor vehicles registered in the state. Vehicle owners who apply will pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with the additional funds (after covering administrative costs) deposited into a dedicated fund to support Revolutionary War site preservation across New Jersey. The program requires the New Jersey Historical Commission to cover initial costs (up to $25,000) and provide 500 completed applications before implementation. The license plate design will be selected by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Historical Commission, and the program may end if annual costs exceed the $50 fee for two consecutive years.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor to provide funding and training to county prosecutors for investigating and prosecuting wage theft cases. It mandates each county prosecutor's office to assign a dedicated assistant prosecutor to handle violations of state wage laws and the specific provision about unpaid wages (P.L.1999, c.90). The bill appropriates up to $2 million from the General Fund to cover these enforcement costs. It directly affects county prosecutors' offices and workers who face unpaid wages or wage law violations.
Maddy summaryS 3743 amends New Jersey's housing finance laws to expand financing opportunities for low and moderate-income housing projects. The bill requires the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to prioritize and incentivize certified minority-, women-, and veteran-owned development businesses through streamlined processes and simplified bonding requirements. It includes provisions for tax exemptions for affordable housing projects and adjusts loan terms to support housing preservation. This legislation directly affects affordable housing developers, the agency, and residents of low and moderate-income housing projects across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3497 requires all public high school students to complete a one-semester financial literacy course as part of graduation requirements for a State-endorsed diploma. The course must cover practical money skills like budgeting, credit, debt, college financial planning, and taxes, and cannot be satisfied by business or entrepreneurship courses. Teachers must hold specific endorsements in subjects like Business, Social Studies, or Family and Consumer Sciences. This requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year, building on existing middle school financial literacy mandates. The bill aims to standardize financial education across high schools statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill adds $30 million in supplemental funding from the General Fund to New Jersey's Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program, administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). It directly affects community nonprofit organizations that develop revitalization plans for low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, as these groups qualify for tax credits when investing in local improvements. The funding increases the annual limit for tax credits available under the program, which was previously capped at $15 million per year by permanent law. This additional $30 million brings the total available funding for the program to $45 million annually, supporting more projects in targeted communities. The bill does not change the tax credit structure itself but expands the available funding to meet demand.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create and issue special license plates for disabled veterans, allowing them to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities without needing additional permits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents certified by the federal VA as having a service-connected disability, and the plates - displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol - will be free of charge. The plates are non-transferable and must be visibly displayed on the vehicle to use reserved parking, replacing the need for separate disability placards. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the license plate.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow restaurants and licensed alcoholic beverage retailers (including bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) to operate in designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business premises, including on public sidewalks. It creates a "premises expansion permit" process requiring applications to either the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (for licensed businesses) or municipal zoning officers (for restaurants without alcohol licenses), with requirements for security plans and property descriptions. Municipalities may regulate hours of operation but must allow outdoor service outside specific hours (10pm-11am on Sundays-Wednesdays, and 12am-11am on Thurs-Sat), and cannot prohibit outdoor service for businesses already operating under legal or disciplinary restrictions. The bill specifies that State-owned rights-of-way require separate approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, with setback requirements for roads intersecting state highways.
Maddy summaryS 3876 requires New Jersey school districts to integrate artificial intelligence instruction into K-12 curricula, covering basic concepts, foundational skills, and ethical use. It also mandates public colleges and universities to offer AI certificate and degree programs. The Secretary of Higher Education must develop model curricula for both four-year institutions and county colleges, including course sequences and career pathway materials. The Commissioner of Education will provide age-appropriate teaching resources to schools, with requirements taking effect in the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires cosmetology, hairstyling, barbering, and related licensees in New Jersey to complete one hour of domestic violence sensitivity and response training before finishing their training program. The training must cover recognizing abuse signs and available victim resources. The State Board of Cosmetology must establish regulations for the training, develop multilingual (English, Spanish, Korean, and top 3 other local languages) prevention materials on its website, and provide licensees with consumer education resources. It also protects licensees from liability for good-faith actions regarding domestic violence information obtained during employment.