Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 453) prohibits landlords or their agents from charging residential rental application fees exceeding $50 for most properties, directly affecting landlords who collect such fees. Violations carry a $1,500 penalty per offense, with $250 of each penalty returned to the tenant. It exempts single-family and two-family homes from the fee cap and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to create an online reporting system for violations. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.405, meaning it is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits in New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees, including state employees and teachers, by requiring their benefits to increase each year to match inflation without needing separate legislative action. The key mechanism establishes a permanent automatic adjustment process tied to inflation data, eliminating the need for annual budget amendments. This change ensures retirees' purchasing power remains aligned with rising living costs over time.

Maddy summaryS 2869 amends New Jersey law to require that certain human trafficking convictions (specifically those involving sexual exploitation or child victims) be sentenced under the No Early Release Act. This means offenders must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole, rather than standard parole eligibility rules. The bill also mandates restitution to victims based on the value of their labor and directs fines to the Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund. It directly affects individuals convicted of severe human trafficking crimes under the amended sections of N.J.S. 2C:13-8. The legislation aims to increase accountability for traffickers while providing financial support to victims.

Maddy summaryS 2771, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration authorities based on immigration detainers. It requires agencies like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to provide services without fear of immigration enforcement, ensuring all residents access public services regardless of immigration status. The bill specifically bans cooperation with "immigration detainers" (requests from federal authorities to detain people) unless supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects immigrant communities by reducing barriers to healthcare, education, and public safety services, while directing state resources toward local priorities instead of federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Human Services (in consultation with the Department of Health) to launch a three-year advertising campaign targeting certified home health aides, promoting healthcare careers as rewarding opportunities with available financial support like scholarships and student loan assistance. The campaign must specifically aim to recruit from underrepresented racial groups, senior care specialists, and high-demand healthcare fields. It appropriates $3 million from the state general fund to cover campaign costs and requires a final report on effectiveness to be submitted to the governor and legislature within six months of the campaign's end. The bill expires upon submission of this report.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to study and recommend solutions for New Jersey college students who need child care services. The commission, composed of 15 members including state education officials, legislative appointees, child care providers, and a student parent, will collect data on student child care needs and review existing campus programs and subsidies. It will also explore partnerships between colleges and child care providers, and examine successful models from other states. The commission must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and legislature within one year of forming.

Maddy summarySJR 28 designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. This procedural resolution does not create new policies or funding but recognizes that profound autism affects individuals requiring 24/7 care, often with severe intellectual disabilities or minimal speech, who face exclusion from support programs. The bill cites CDC data showing 26.7% of autistic children in the U.S. have profound autism, with higher rates among girls, racial minorities, and those with additional health challenges. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor this recognition.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3118 establishes a three-year Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson. The bill allows participating OTPs to use telehealth to remotely monitor patients receiving take-home methadone doses, aiming to improve treatment compliance and reduce costs while tracking patient outcomes. Each selected OTP receives a $75,000 grant from a $225,000 state appropriation to implement the program, with annual reporting required on metrics like patient retention and transportation cost savings. The Department of Human Services must submit a final report within four years evaluating the pilot’s effectiveness and recommending potential statewide expansion. Participation is voluntary for both OTPs and patients, and the program operates under existing federal and state regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a whistleblower reward program for employees reporting tax law violations by construction industry employers in New Jersey. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest (or up to 10% if the tip came from public sources like media or audits). The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties and includes protections against retaliation under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that school districts must conduct criminal history record checks for all workers performing construction or public works in school buildings - including contractors and third-party employees - before allowing them on school property during school hours. It updates existing requirements to explicitly include these workers in background checks, ensuring they meet the same standards as school staff. The bill also mandates that school districts revise their visitor policies to incorporate these updated check procedures. These changes directly affect school districts, contractors, and workers in school construction or maintenance roles.