Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summarySJR 92 is a symbolic resolution designating August of each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey. It directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging residents to support Black-owned businesses and asks the New Jersey Business Action Center to publicize the observance. The resolution recognizes over 76,000 Black-owned businesses in New Jersey, which generate significant economic activity and support jobs statewide. This is a commemorative measure with no new funding or legal requirements, focused solely on raising awareness of Black entrepreneurship.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey STEM Entrepreneur Fellowship Program, requiring the Secretary of Higher Education to create a three-year fellowship initiative supporting STEM entrepreneurs. It allocates funding for at least 20 fellowships at New Jersey colleges and universities, prioritizing applicants with viable STEM business ideas that will benefit society and become self-sustaining. Fellows receive support to commercialize their ideas and build structured businesses, with priority given to those backed by state-supported incubators. The program must be evaluated within five years to assess its success in launching new businesses. The initiative directly affects STEM entrepreneurs seeking resources to develop their ventures.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the U.S. President and Congress to pass federal legislation requiring federally-regulated banks to provide free paper account statements to elder adults. It directly affects seniors who lack reliable access to online banking due to not owning or using computers or electronic devices. The resolution highlights that while many banks now charge fees for paper statements, federal law currently allows this practice, preventing states from mandating free paper statements for federally-regulated institutions. The resolution calls for federal action similar to New Jersey’s pending Senate Bill 2787, which would require free paper statements for elder account holders at state-regulated banks.

Maddy summaryS 3637 creates the New Jersey Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Program to help businesses recover from pandemic-related losses. It requires eligible insurers to offer a policy rider covering pandemic-related business interruption to small businesses (with 100 or fewer full-time employees) and establishes a state fund to cover losses exceeding $75 million in aggregate industry claims during a declared public health emergency. The program pays for losses above an insurer’s deductible (5% of their prior year premiums) up to a $500 million annual cap, using funds from the state budget (minimum $50 million annually). This directly affects commercial insurers, small businesses in New Jersey, and the state’s Department of Banking and Insurance, which administers the fund.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 76) formally supports International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, by encouraging New Jersey residents to participate in related ceremonies and educational activities. It references UNESCO's mission to promote linguistic diversity and highlights global language endangerment statistics, including the status of Native American languages in the U.S. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic gesture of support. Copies will be sent to UNESCO and New Jersey's congressional delegation as part of standard resolution protocol.

Maddy summaryS 3683 creates a new third-degree crime for knowingly filing a false report or providing false information to law enforcement with the intent to falsely accuse a law enforcement officer of committing a crime, offense, or professional misconduct that could trigger disciplinary action. This bill directly affects individuals who make deliberate false reports against officers to harm their professional reputation or career. The law adds this as a separate offense under New Jersey's criminal code, meaning a person could face charges for both this new crime and existing false reporting offenses like falsely accusing others or reporting made-up incidents. Penalties include up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey would join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, a multi-state agreement that simplifies licensing for cosmetologists to practice across participating states. This bill directly affects licensed cosmetologists seeking to work in multiple states, as well as state licensing authorities managing professional regulations. The key mechanism creates a uniform framework where cosmetologists meeting standardized requirements can practice in any compact member state without obtaining separate licenses, while enabling states to share disciplinary information and support military families relocating. It aims to improve workforce mobility, reduce licensing barriers, and ensure consistent public safety standards for cosmetology services.

Maddy summaryS 3635 establishes the "New Jersey Cybersecurity Grant Program" within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, appropriating $5 million from the General Fund. The program provides grants to financial and healthcare businesses operating in New Jersey that are deemed high-risk for cybersecurity incidents, with a maximum award of $100,000 per business per fiscal year. Businesses must submit applications online and provide documentation like invoices for reimbursement after purchasing qualifying cybersecurity equipment. The bill defines "sensitive businesses" to include financial institutions and healthcare entities operating in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's regulations for health care sharing ministries (HCSMs), which are organizations where members share medical costs based on common ethical or religious beliefs. It replaces the federal requirement that HCSMs must have operated since 1999 with new rules: HCSMs must now conduct annual independent audits and publicly share the results. The bill also mandates that HCSMs post specific annual data on their websites, including the number of New Jersey residents, households, and employer groups they serve, as well as any health care provider contracts in the state. These provisions aim to increase transparency and address concerns about the current system being exploited by some new organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises window guard requirements for residential rental units and apartment buildings in New Jersey. It requires landlords to install and maintain approved window guards on windows in units where children 13 years or younger, or people with disabilities, reside or spend significant time. Key changes include expanding the age limit from 10 to 13 years, adding disability protections, mandating audible alerts (chimes) on guards, and specifying that guards must prevent openings larger than 4 inches. The bill also clarifies that rigid window stops cannot replace compliant guards and establishes different notification rules for condo communities versus standard rental buildings.