Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program. For film productions, it reduces the tax credit rate from 35% to 30% for eligible expenses incurred outside a specific New York City area (within 30 miles of 8th Ave/Central Park West), while maintaining the 60% New Jersey spending requirement. For digital media, it increases the credit rate to 35% for producers using vendors primarily located in seven specified counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, or Salem), with unchanged requirements for $2 million in New Jersey spending and 50% NJ wages. The changes directly affect film and digital media producers seeking tax credits under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), a centralized data hub that collects and analyzes education and workforce data from state agencies. It directly affects state departments (like Education, Higher Education, and Labor), which will provide data to the system, and policymakers who will use the insights for decision-making. Key provisions require the system to be operated by Rutgers' Heldrich Center, mandate strict privacy safeguards (including compliance with FERPA and NIST standards), and limit data sharing to de-identified, aggregate reports. The goal is to improve evidence-based policies around workforce development, education pathways, and program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases in smaller employer coverage under New Jersey's family leave law by reducing the employee threshold from 30 to 5 employees over two years. Starting immediately, employers with 20+ employees must follow the law; one year later, the threshold drops to 10 employees; and after two years, all employers with 5+ employees must provide reinstatement rights after family leave. It directly affects workers at small businesses (5-20 employees) who previously had no legal right to return to their jobs after taking family leave. The law ensures these employees cannot be retaliated against for taking leave, aligning small business coverage with existing protections for larger employers.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, making it a third-degree crime (up from fourth degree under current law). It establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and social media platforms. The office will create accessible reporting systems, offer counseling, promote cyber ethics in schools, and train law enforcement on investigating cyber-harassment cases. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, directly affecting public servants, their families, and victims of online harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to lease school property no longer needed for educational purposes to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) without requiring competitive bidding. It directly affects school districts and FQHCs by expanding an existing exemption list that already permits similar non-bidding leases to entities like government agencies, fire departments, and certain nonprofits. The key mechanism adds FQHCs to the list of approved lessees, enabling private agreements for nominal fees instead of public bidding processes. This change simplifies leasing for school properties that could support community health services.

Maddy summaryAJR 57 designates March 30th of each year as "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities about MTSS, a rare but serious bacterial infection. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or policies, but formally establishes an annual day to highlight MTSS prevention and symptoms for New Jersey residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential landlords in New Jersey from charging application fees exceeding the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords violating this rule face a $250 penalty, enforceable by the state (via the Commissioner of Community Affairs or Attorney General) or by tenants suing in court for the same penalty plus attorney fees. Tenants can independently pursue claims for overcharges, while landlords cannot charge more than the verified service cost or $30, whichever is lower. The law takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows current seasonal retail consumption alcohol license holders in New Jersey to exchange their limited-season licenses (valid only during summer or winter months) for full-year "plenary" licenses. Seasonal license holders can surrender their existing license to the issuing authority to convert it to a year-round license, enabling them to sell alcohol every day of the year. Municipalities cannot prohibit this conversion or restrict the licensee's operating hours to match those of standard plenary license holders. The change directly affects seasonal license holders who currently operate under seasonal time limits, providing them with year-round operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to anyone under 21 years old. It requires that any delivery to a residence must be signed for by an adult resident (21+), with an exception for U.S. Postal Service employees under federal law. Violations by retailers or delivery services can result in civil fines ($250-$1,000 per violation) and potential license suspension for repeat offenses. The law applies to all tobacco products and electronic smoking devices, including e-cigarettes and related components, and amends existing New Jersey statutes governing tobacco sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects four facilities in New Jersey - Children’s Specialized Hospital (Mountainside and Toms River), Phoenix Center for Rehabilitation and Pediatrics, and Voorhees Pediatric Facility - that provide specialized long-term care to medically fragile children and youth up to age 21. To qualify for this rate, facilities must comply with state and federal requirements for licensure, patient safety, and care quality. The state will fund this increase through General Fund appropriations and requires the Department of Human Services to seek necessary federal approvals for reimbursement.