Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities with career fire departments to deploy personnel for fire suppression and rescue operations in line with NFPA 1710 (2020 edition), a nationally recognized safety standard. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules and directs municipal governing bodies or fire commissioners to ensure compliance. The policy directly affects paid or part-paid fire departments that respond to at least 50% of initial full-alarm assignments. It aims to standardize safety practices for career firefighters, preventing local relaxation of requirements due to budget or political considerations. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 280 would lower New Jersey's mandatory school attendance age from six to five years old. This change would require parents and guardians to enroll children aged five to 16 in public school or equivalent instruction, instead of starting at age six. The bill amends multiple statutes to update age references in attendance rules, truancy definitions, and penalties for non-compliance. The law would take effect for the second full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3010 limits New Jersey's Medicaid estate recovery program to only recover costs for nursing home care, home and community-based services, and concurrent hospital/prescription drug services provided to recipients aged 55+ at the time of service. It restricts recovery to assets passing through probate (real estate, personal property), eliminating current practices that allowed recovery from life insurance, retirement accounts, and jointly owned property. The bill aligns New Jersey's Medicaid program with federal minimum requirements under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. This change preserves more assets for heirs while meeting federal Medicaid program obligations.

Maddy summaryS 290 allows New Jersey courts to adjust, reduce, or waive criminal defendants' fines, fees, and penalties (known as legal financial obligations) based on their ability to pay, the interests of justice, or if the obligation conflicts with rehabilitation goals. It directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who face mandatory financial penalties. Courts must publicly state the specific reasons for any adjustment or waiver on the record. This bill implements a recommendation from the 2023 New Jersey Criminal Sentencing Commission to make these obligations more equitable.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Family Day Care Provider Registration Act (P.L.1987, c.27) to increase the maximum number of children a registered family day care provider can care for from five to ten at one time. It directly affects registered family day care providers operating from their homes, allowing them to serve more children while remaining under the existing registration system. The change modifies the definition of a "family day care home" in the law, specifying that registered providers may care for up to 10 children (excluding legally related children or those in employment agreements with providers). This is a concrete policy adjustment to capacity limits for home-based child care providers, not a new licensing requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police Superintendent to create a policy within six months that prioritizes recruiting women and minorities as civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy. It directly affects State Police recruits by mandating more diverse instruction, as the policy aims to diversify the civilian staff delivering their training. Key provisions include annual policy reviews and updates, plus annual reports to the Attorney General and Legislature detailing the demographics (age, gender, race, ethnicity) of all civilian instructors/contractors and summaries of policy changes. The bill takes effect immediately, focusing on concrete reporting and recruitment requirements rather than outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to enforce local rent control laws. It directly affects residential tenants in municipalities with rent restrictions (such as rent stabilization ordinances) and landlords who may face violations. Tenants can petition the RCEU to investigate and challenge rent increases they believe violate local rules, and the unit can order rent reductions, impose fines up to four months' rent, or allow lease termination. The RCEU will also operate a dedicated helpline and online portal for tenant reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program, which would provide low-interest loans to developers to convert underused buildings (like vacant malls, warehouses, or hotels) into housing for homeless individuals and families. The program targets "very low-income households" (earning ≤30% of area median income) and offers two housing types: transitional housing (up to 24 months with support services) and permanent supportive housing. It appropriates $30 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a dedicated Safe Haven Homeless Housing Fund, administered by the state Housing Agency, with interest earnings also deposited into the fund. The bill requires the agency to develop implementing rules but does not change existing eligibility or housing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $125 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NJAHTF) to restore funds previously diverted for affordable housing. It directly affects municipalities that have certified compliance with fair share housing plans and housing elements, enabling them to access grants and loans for new affordable housing projects. The funds will support housing development in communities meeting state housing obligation requirements, as authorized under existing law. This is a funding restoration measure, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It directly serves immigrants, refugees, and their families - over two million people representing nearly a quarter of the state's population - by providing refugee resettlement services, legal assistance, health screenings, and workforce development programs. The office will act as a central hub for coordinating state services, offering technical assistance to other agencies, and ensuring programs are culturally responsive. The Director, appointed by the Human Services Commissioner, will lead these efforts with staff prioritizing lived experience in immigrant communities. The bill formalizes existing initiatives from Executive Order 74 (2019) to improve access to resources and build trust between immigrant communities and state government.