Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 452 would limit annual rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change (or 10% maximum) for most rental units in New Jersey. It affects landlords and tenants in standard residential leases, but excludes affordable housing units, new constructions (within 15 years), single-family homes owned by individuals (not corporations), and duplexes where the landlord resides. The cap applies only to future rent increases, not current rates, and tenants could challenge violations through existing tenant protection laws. The bill does not alter current rent levels or apply to exempt properties like dormitories or government-subsidized housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for targeting senior citizens (60+ years old) or people with disabilities (defined as those with long-term medical conditions limiting their ability to resist). It automatically upgrades the penalty for any crime committed against these groups by one degree (e.g., a fourth-degree offense becomes a third-degree crime), and makes the perpetrator strictly liable - meaning ignorance of the victim’s status is never a defense. The bill also requires separate sentencing for both the original crime and the new "victimization" offense, rather than merging the charges. It specifically includes protections for crimes listed in New Jersey’s criminal code, such as assault, burglary, and harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2952) was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into enacted law (P.L.2025, c.314). It allows New Jersey municipalities to impose an employer payroll tax of up to 1% (with a 3% administrative fee option) on businesses operating within their borders. If a municipality has a median household income of $55,000 or more, all collected tax revenues must fund local schools through a special fund, with strict confidentiality rules protecting employer reporting data. The bill also clarifies tax obligations for out-of-state employees and prohibits duplicate tax payments across multiple municipalities.

Maddy summaryS 1436 establishes a 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education in New Jersey. The commission, including representatives from universities, county colleges, faculty, student leaders, and fiscal experts, will study financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of public colleges and universities. It must issue a report with recommendations within 180 days of organizing, focusing on tuition disclosures, student outcomes, and institutional performance. This bill directly affects New Jersey's public higher education system and its stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living centers) to let residents or their representatives designate up to two essential caregivers for in-person visits during health emergencies such as pandemics. Facilities must document these designations in residents' care plans, provide visitation time equal to normal circumstances, and post clear policies online about caregiver rights. It prohibits facilities from imposing stricter infection protocols on caregivers than on staff and mandates written information to residents about how to designate caregivers. The bill directly affects long-term care residents and their chosen caregivers, ensuring consistent access during crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Food Security Advocate to create and operate a dedicated hotline for individuals and organizations seeking to donate large quantities of surplus food. The hotline will receive donation requests via phone, in-person, or electronic means, then connect donors directly with food banks and community resources to facilitate food delivery. It also mandates a public awareness campaign using TV, radio, internet, and social media to inform residents about the hotline's purpose and availability. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to support nursing transition-to-practice initiatives for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered professional nurses (RNs) at healthcare facilities. It requires facilities to apply for NJCCN support to create structured 12-month programs with mentorship, full-time schedules, and data tracking, prioritizing veterans' homes, long-term care, and home care providers. The New Jersey Board of Nursing will allocate up to $2 million annually for financial, material, and technical assistance to approved facilities based on their applications. The bill also updates governance for the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN), including board composition and appointment processes.

Maddy summaryThe "Patient and Provider Protection Act" regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey, directly affecting PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients who use prescription drugs. It requires PBMs to establish conflict-free committees managing drug formularies, ensures generic drugs are not disadvantaged over higher-cost alternatives, and bans commission-based PBM compensation in favor of flat fees. The bill mandates PBMs to prioritize long-term patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and sets reimbursement rules: contracted pharmacies must be paid at least their acquisition cost, while independent pharmacies receive rates no more than 5% below the lowest contracted rate (but not below cost). It also bans contracts conditioning drug rebates on excluding generic drugs and prevents PBMs from restricting independent pharmacies from matching network prices and quantities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large warehouses, distribution centers, and ports generating 50+ daily truck trips to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and annually implement pollution-reduction measures. It specifically targets facilities in overburdened communities (defined by existing law) with 50,000+ square feet of business space, or all facilities with 100,000+ square feet, mandating shorter permit terms (3 years) for those in overburdened areas. The DEP must establish a program within one year to achieve zero emissions from these facilities by 2050, requiring annual compliance demonstrations and permit fees before operations begin or continue. Facilities must prove they can meet pollution reduction goals to secure or renew permits, with enforcement starting after the bill's effective date.