Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system where municipalities that update their zoning regulations to allow for more housing options receive priority for state funding. Municipalities that adopt specific housing strategies - such as permitting accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, or allowing multi-unit developments in commercial zones - can qualify for preference in state grants, including the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program. School districts in these municipalities may also receive up to a 10% increase in state aid for school construction projects. The bill requires municipalities to review and potentially amend their master plans and zoning regulations to incorporate these housing strategies, with planning boards required to report findings and recommend changes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5358) revises New Jersey's Secure Choice Savings Program to require **all employers with at least one employee** in New Jersey to offer automatic payroll deductions for retirement savings, replacing the current threshold of 25+ employees. It directly affects private-sector employers (excluding state government) by mandating they set up payroll arrangements allowing employees to contribute to the program, with automatic enrollment at 3% of wages unless employees opt out. Key provisions include allowing employees to choose contribution levels (up to IRA limits) and investment options, with employers retaining the ability to offer alternative retirement plans. The bill removes the prior "small employer" category to reflect this expanded requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A2415) requires New Jersey's Silver Alert System to use the same broadcast alert procedures as the Amber Alert System. It directly affects media outlets participating in the Silver Alert program, which helps locate missing elderly individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments. The key provision mandates that participating media must broadcast a distinctive sound tone followed by "This is a Missing Person Silver Alert" during alerts, with the alert repeated as often as possible for the first three hours. After three hours, broadcasts continue at intervals determined by law enforcement and media, while including a description of the missing person and contact information for the public.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when contracts for operating official motor vehicle inspection facilities are renewed or new contracts are awarded, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) must be offered employment first to meet staffing needs. It mandates that job offers to these employees must include compensation and benefits matching the terms of the existing CBA. Additionally, the bill ensures that any collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time remains binding on successors - such as companies acquiring assets or merging - during sales, transfers, or mergers of inspection facility operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools. The fact sheet must cover reducing drowning risks, the importance of swim lessons, proper flotation device use, and monitoring water conditions. Public school districts must annually distribute this fact sheet to parents, while nonpublic schools are encouraged but not required to do so. Additionally, school districts must maintain and update an online list of local swim lesson locations, including free or low-cost options. The bill directly affects public schools, parents, and guardians by providing standardized water safety information and resources.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create and maintain a free, public online registry of tutors and organizations offering free supplemental tutoring to students. It allows certified teachers, retired teachers, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations to register, providing details like contact information and subject expertise. All registrants must undergo criminal background checks (except certified teachers with prior checks), and the registry explicitly states it does not endorse or verify the quality of services offered. The registry will be accessible to all New Jersey residents via the DOE website.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Early Language Access Program within New Jersey's Department of Health to provide free language instruction services to deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children under age 5 and their families. The program matches families with interprofessional teams (including ASL interpreters, speech therapists, and audiologists) who deliver up to 25 hours per week of tailored instruction - using the family's preferred communication method (like ASL, spoken language, or multimodal approaches) - in settings such as homes, childcare centers, and preschools. It also covers support services like hearing device assistance, provider training, and case management. Eligibility requires proof of the child’s hearing loss, age, and New Jersey residency. The bill codifies and permanently authorizes this existing early intervention service.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide students with information about food assistance programs. Specifically, institutions must include details about the federal SNAP program (food stamps) and campus or community food resources - such as food pantries or meal swipe programs - in initial admission offers and via email during each semester's registration. The state will develop standardized SNAP application links and program information for schools to distribute. This applies directly to students at public higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to improve access to food support.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Real Estate Appraiser Board to adopt the Appraisal Qualifications Board's "Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal" (PAREA) program as an alternative way for prospective appraisers to gain required experience. Currently, applicants must find a licensed appraiser to supervise their on-the-job training, which is often difficult with no formal support system. Under the bill, the PAREA program would allow applicants to fulfill all experience requirements through virtual simulations of real-world appraisal work, guided by mentors. This change directly affects individuals seeking real estate appraiser licenses or certifications in New Jersey.