Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 2714 requires New Jersey electric power suppliers and gas suppliers to charge residential customers rates equal to or lower than the established "basic generation service" or "basic gas supply service" rates under existing law (P.L.1999, c.23). This bill directly affects residential utility customers by capping their electricity and gas supply charges at the current basic service rate level. The key mechanism prohibits suppliers from charging more than these baseline rates for residential service, regardless of market conditions. The bill does not alter the basic service rates themselves but prevents rate increases above them for residential customers. It is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1282) requires the Attorney General to maintain and periodically update guidelines for investigating bias incidents - such as crimes motivated by race, religion, or sexual orientation. It directly affects county/municipal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the Attorney General’s office by mandating: (1) reporting all confirmed/suspected bias incidents via the state crime reporting system within 24 hours, (2) immediate notification to the AG and prosecutors for serious incidents (e.g., homicide or hate group involvement), (3) procedures for investigations and victim referrals to the Civil Rights Division, and (4) required training for officers on bias incident detection and reporting. The bill aims to standardize and improve how such incidents are documented, investigated, and supported. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on 2026-01-13 after being incorporated into P.L.2025, c.342.)

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July each year as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging government officials, community leaders, and businesses to promote support for these enterprises. The resolution cites statistics showing diverse-owned businesses represent significant portions of New Jersey's economy (e.g., 21.7% owned by people of color) while facing challenges like limited capital access. It aims to foster reflection on supporting these businesses through annual observance, without mandating specific policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1236) requires residential electricity and gas customers to provide specific identification when switching providers. To switch between electricity suppliers or gas providers, customers must submit either government-issued photo ID or non-photo ID plus a secondary ID (like a current utility bill, bank statement, or credit card). The new supplier must verify this ID with the utility company and cannot demand an account number if valid ID is provided. The bill also mandates a written or electronic signature for the switch, while allowing existing switching methods to continue. It applies to residential customers in New Jersey switching services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act," creating a Migrant and Refugee Resource Coordination Program within the Department of Human Services. The program connects migrants (individuals relocating to NJ from other countries) and refugees (those granted federal refugee status) with public assistance resources, including housing, healthcare, education, job training, and legal services. The Department must collaborate with local governments and community organizations, implement multilingual outreach, and submit annual reports detailing program effectiveness and recommendations. The law takes immediate effect and focuses on facilitating access to existing state services, not creating new benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor to create training opportunities in AI technology, data analytics, and automation. It also creates a tax credit for employers hiring qualified AI apprentices, allowing them to claim up to $5,000 per apprentice (half of wages paid, capped at $5,000) for taxable years beginning in 2026. To qualify, employers must hire unskilled or semi-skilled apprentices for at least 20 weeks in a program meeting state and federal standards, covering roles like generative AI development. The program will partner with AI companies and educational institutions to design training pathways. The tax credit applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide trauma-informed reentry support services to certain defendants who were victims of domestic violence or abuse that contributed to their criminal behavior. It directly affects individuals sentenced under N.J.S.2C:44-1 or eligible for resentencing under pending Senate Bill 4870 (S4870), including access to mental health counseling, peer recovery support, vocational training, and housing assistance. Key mechanisms include creating a Department of Corrections grant program to fund community-based reentry services - prioritizing organizations led by trauma survivors - and mandating collaboration between corrections, courts, and public defense. The bill also requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including recidivism, employment, and housing data for participants. These services are tied to S4870, which establishes resentencing options for abuse victims whose trauma contributed to their crime.

Maddy summaryS 2838 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to research and develop recommendations addressing generational harms caused by New Jersey's historical role in slavery and ongoing systemic racial discrimination. The task force will examine specific issues like racial wealth gaps (where Black families have a median net worth of $5,900 vs. $309,000 for white families), housing discrimination, mass incarceration, and voting disparities affecting Black residents. It will produce a report with policy proposals for state-based reparations, focusing on systemic inequities documented in the bill, such as Black children being 30 times more likely to be incarcerated than white children. The bill directly affects Black communities in New Jersey facing persistent racial disparities in housing, education, and criminal justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) Oversight Program to improve access and quality of care for Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees in New Jersey. It requires MCOs (the private insurers contracted to provide health services) to submit quarterly data on providers and beneficiaries, and mandates annual verification that 20% of provider contact information and online directory listings are accurate. MCOs must also confirm all directory providers are Medicaid-eligible and that provider panel sizes comply with state limits. Non-compliant MCOs face fines of at least $50,000 per violation and potential exclusion from the program for up to five years, with annual oversight reports to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1859) amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade certain assaults to "aggravated assault" when committed against specific professionals. It directly affects individuals like firefighters, school staff (teachers, administrators, bus drivers), healthcare workers, and emergency medical personnel when they are attacked while performing their duties. The key provision adds these groups to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, increasing penalties for assaults targeting them. The change applies to attacks occurring during work, whether the attacker recognizes the victim's professional role or not. This is a policy adjustment to strengthen legal protections for public safety and service workers.