Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to create an educational fact sheet on water safety for parents and guardians. The fact sheet must cover reducing drowning risks, the value of swimming lessons, flotation device use, and monitoring water conditions. Public school districts must annually distribute the fact sheet to parents, while nonpublic schools are encouraged to do so. Additionally, school districts must publish an annual list of local swim lesson locations (including free/reduced-cost options) on their websites, compiled from voluntarily submitted locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2188) aims to expand the categories of nonresident children that New Jersey school districts may enroll without requiring tuition payments. It amends existing law to broaden eligibility for tuition-free enrollment, directly affecting nonresident families seeking school placements in New Jersey districts. The bill's text provided focuses on defining terms like "at-risk pupils" and "district income" but does not specify the new category or exact enrollment mechanisms. Key policy changes cannot be detailed from the truncated context, as the substantive expansion of the nonresident enrollment category is not described in the provided text. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryS 2805 requires all candidates for state, county, or municipal law enforcement positions in New Jersey to undergo a detailed background investigation beyond current checks. The investigation covers 10 specific areas, including personal/citizenship details, family and social interviews, education records, employment history, financial status, criminal history (even expunged), and driving records. Candidates who provide false information or demonstrate conduct conflicting with law enforcement standards will be disqualified. This bill directly affects all law enforcement job applicants in New Jersey and expands background review requirements for hiring.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to make a good faith effort to use certified minority and women-owned businesses as direct contractors and subcontractors. It mandates agencies to set annual goals for increasing their use of these businesses across construction, professional services, and goods/services sectors, based on findings from a 2024 disparity study showing they received only 4% of construction contracts and 15% of professional services contracts. Agencies must develop goals consistent with a new statewide disparity study, to be completed by 2029, which will analyze participation gaps and inform future procurement policies. The law directly affects state agencies and certified minority/women-owned businesses by requiring proactive efforts to address historical underutilization in state contracting.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefit to 60% of the federal credit amount for qualifying residents, effective for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022. It directly affects low- and moderate-income New Jersey workers and families who qualify for the federal EITC but were previously receiving only 40% of that federal benefit through the state program. The change modifies existing law to raise the state credit percentage without altering eligibility rules, meaning residents must still claim the federal EITC first to access the enhanced state credit. The credit remains refundable, providing cash payments even if the recipient owes no state income tax. This policy change expands tax relief for working individuals and families already eligible under federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities (electric, gas, water, or sewer companies) to submit detailed reports on their capital investments when requesting rate increases from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The BPU must then review these reports within 30 days and post them on its website, removing any confidential business details before sharing. This makes utility investment data publicly accessible during rate case proceedings, increasing transparency for consumers and stakeholders. The law applies specifically to utilities filing rate increase petitions under state law and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 2613 requires New Jersey school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and contracted service providers to review the employment history of prospective employees who work with students for any allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. It mandates applicants to provide employer lists (including schools and child-contact roles from the last 20 years) and written authorization for background checks, and requires employers to verify past investigations or disciplinary actions related to such allegations. The law also imposes penalties for false statements, including fines up to $10,000, and outlines procedures for out-of-state applicant reviews. This directly affects schools and service providers hiring staff with student contact, aiming to strengthen background checks for safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Baby Bond Account Program, which would deposit $2,000 into a dedicated account for eligible infants born on or after January 1, 2021. It directly affects infants from families residing in New Jersey (or establishing NJ residency within six months of birth) with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The program is funded by a $70 million state appropriation, with accounts managed by the Department of the Treasury and invested to generate growth. Funds in these accounts may be used for qualified expenses like education, housing, or other purposes specified in the bill, but cannot be accessed until the account holder reaches adulthood.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires libraries in New Jersey municipalities or counties where at least 40% of residents live below 1.85x the federal poverty line to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and all-gender restrooms. It also mandates that libraries display educational pamphlets about menstrual health, toxic shock syndrome, and product disposal. The state will cover all costs for purchasing and maintaining these supplies. The law directly affects eligible public libraries and aims to address period poverty by ensuring access to essential hygiene products.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises visitation and reporting requirements for professional guardians in New Jersey. It requires registered professional guardians to visit their adult wards (individuals under legal guardianship) at least once every three weeks - instead of the previous minimum of every three months - to monitor their health, needs, and well-being. Guardians must also submit updated court reports detailing the ward's condition, living arrangements, care services, and decision-making participation, as ordered by the court. These changes directly affect professional guardians and the vulnerable adults they support, aiming to strengthen oversight of their care.