Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Support for Victims of Domestic Violence Program" in New Jersey to encourage businesses to help people who have recently experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The program works by offering tax credits to eligible businesses that agree to provide specific goods and services, such as housing, clothing, technology, and emergency accommodations, to victims based on regional needs. The Division on Women will divide the state into three regions to assess local resource gaps and set priorities for what businesses should provide, updating these plans every three years. By linking financial incentives to these commitments, the legislation aims to expand the safety net available to survivors without changing the legal definition of domestic violence itself.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in New Jersey to clearly disclose when their rental properties are exempt from local rent control limits. Owners must provide prospective tenants with a written statement and specific documents proving the exemption before signing a lease, and the lease itself must prominently display the exemption status and its expiration date. Additionally, the law mandates that owners file detailed claims with municipal officials and maintain a public online registry of exempt properties to improve transparency. These measures directly affect property owners of newly constructed buildings and the tenants who rent from them.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry to officially recognize orofacial pain as a specialized area of dentistry. It requires the board to update its rules so that licensed dentists can obtain permits to publicly announce this specialty, joining other recognized fields like orthodontics and periodontics. The change allows dentists who focus on treating pain in the mouth, face, and jaw to formally identify themselves as specialists in this area.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates accounting as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject to increase its visibility in educational programs. It requires the New Jersey Department of Education to create outreach initiatives that encourage young women and minorities to pursue careers in these fields. The legislation also mandates that institutions of higher education develop strategies to recruit and retain underrepresented students in accounting and other STEM programs. By explicitly including accounting in STEM definitions, the bill aims to broaden career opportunities and address historical underrepresentation in the workforce.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the New Jersey child tax credit for families with children under six years old and to expand eligibility to include children aged six through 11. Under the new provisions, taxpayers with an income of $30,000 or less would receive a $2,000 credit for each child under six, while those with children aged six to 11 would receive a $1,000 credit, with amounts gradually decreasing as income rises to $80,000. The legislation also sets a maximum total credit limit of $2,500 per taxpayer and clarifies that the credit is refundable if it exceeds the tax owed. These changes would apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, for resident New Jersey taxpayers.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires hospitals to obtain a state certificate of need before selling or leasing their property to real estate investment trusts, ensuring such deals do not jeopardize public health or the hospital's financial stability. The legislation mandates that these transactions use a standardized contract form developed by the Department of Health, which includes clauses allowing buyers to reclaim funds if performance targets are missed, giving priority to lessees in future sales, and permitting reduced rent during financial hardships. Additionally, the bill requires hospital owners to submit annual financial statements to the Department of Health regarding costs associated with these agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to pay child care subsidies for three- and four-year-olds at a rate equal to the state's per-pupil preschool education funding, but only for high-quality programs rated by the Grow NJ Kids system. It establishes an annual review process to adjust these subsidy amounts based on current education aid figures and mandates that the Division of Family Development create an application process for eligible providers. Additionally, the legislation directs state agencies to publish application information online and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing the number of participating children and total spending, while also appropriating necessary funds from the General Fund.
Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 139 designates October each year as Opioid Abuse Prevention Month in New Jersey to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid addiction. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to hold educational activities and programs focused on prevention, recovery, and support for those affected by the crisis. This symbolic measure aims to highlight the state's ongoing struggle with prescription painkiller abuse and its link to heroin use without mandating specific policy changes or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that New Jersey's state health insurance programs, including SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare, cover specific education services for individuals with kidney disease who need dialysis or a transplant. Under the legislation, the Department of Health must first create detailed rules outlining how these services should be delivered, which will include verbal counseling on managing other health conditions, preventing complications, and understanding different treatment options. The covered education must be provided by a healthcare professional before a patient's appointment and must ensure the patient has the opportunity to actively participate in choosing their treatment path.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for courts in New Jersey to evaluate whether rent increases on residential properties are unconscionable. It requires judges to consider multiple factors, such as the landlord's expenses, local market rates, the property's condition, and the relative bargaining power of the tenant and landlord. The legislation places the burden of proof on landlords to demonstrate that a rent increase is fair and not excessive. Additionally, if a court finds a violation, tenants may receive lease reformation, treble damages for overpayments, and a $2,000 civil penalty. The rules do not apply to properties already covered by local rent control ordinances or affordable housing programs.