Maddy summaryS 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new trust fund to provide health benefits, including medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage, to public school employees and their dependents in New Jersey. It establishes a board of trustees to manage the fund and defines eligibility to include full-time employees working at least 25 hours a week and their spouses, domestic partners, and unmarried children up to age 31. The legislation also clarifies that dependents who enlist in the military are not covered during their service and gives the board final authority on determining employee and dependent status.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Green Acres program from using state funds to purchase, install, or replace artificial turf fields. It directly affects municipalities, school districts, and state agencies that rely on Green Acres funding for recreational facilities. The bill cites health and environmental concerns, including harmful chemicals, microplastics, and PFAS "forever chemicals" in artificial turf, as reasons to redirect funding toward natural grass fields maintained with organic practices. The policy change requires entities using Green Acres funds to prioritize safer, natural grass alternatives instead. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey residents who receive money from the Anti-Weaponization Fund to pay a 100 percent gross income tax on those funds. The legislation explicitly disallows any deductions, exemptions, or tax credits for this specific income, ensuring the full amount is taxed. The Anti-Weaponization Fund is a settlement established by the U.S. Attorney General to compensate individuals claiming they were victims of alleged government overreach, and this bill asserts the state's right to tax those payments.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing laws regarding search warrants to require law enforcement to act more quickly when investigating domestic violence and stalking cases. It specifically updates legal definitions for terms like "wire communication," "electronic communication," and "intercept" to ensure they cover modern technology such as cordless phones and electronic storage. By clarifying these definitions, the legislation aims to streamline the process for investigators to obtain and execute warrants related to digital and electronic evidence in these specific types of cases.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year pilot program in New Jersey to award a "State Seal of Civic Engagement" to high school seniors who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and community involvement. To qualify, students must complete a government course with a B- or higher, pass a state-approved civic literacy exam, and complete at least 10 hours of verified community service or civic activities. The Department of Education will select five school districts from different regions to participate, providing them with grants to cover program costs while they verify student eligibility and issue official certificates. At the end of the pilot, the Commissioner of Education will submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's impact and recommending whether to expand it statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Veterans Treatment Court Program in New Jersey to provide specialized judicial supervision and clinical care for veterans with serious charges who do not qualify for existing diversion programs. The program is designed to address crimes linked to untreated trauma, such as PTSD or substance use disorders, by creating a second track that operates alongside the current prosecutor-led diversion system. Eligible participants will be assigned to a specialized court docket in three regions, where they must complete structured treatment plans involving mental health professionals and an interdisciplinary team. While the bill expands access to support for justice-involved veterans, it explicitly excludes individuals charged with severe violent crimes like murder or aggravated sexual assault from participation.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for health care facilities in New Jersey, specifically targeting substance use disorder treatment centers and general hospitals. It increases daily fines for operating these facilities without a valid license or after a license has been revoked, adjusting the amounts to $12,500 and $25,000 respectively. The legislation also grants the state commissioner expanded powers to conduct inspections, require financial and quality reports, and appoint monitors for hospitals facing financial distress. Additionally, the bill allows third-floor occupancy in private long-term care facilities for owners, their families, and licensed staff.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and annually update an informational pamphlet about operating low-speed electric bicycles and scooters. The pamphlet must cover current laws, penalties for violations, and include a notice about distribution requirements. Food delivery companies that use these vehicles for deliveries must distribute the pamphlet to all their delivery drivers within 30 days of receiving it from the MVC and include it in hiring paperwork. The MVC must publish the pamphlet online with translations into at least five languages (including Spanish) and send two copies to each qualifying food delivery company within 60 days of development. It directly affects MVC, food delivery companies, and their drivers who use low-speed e-bikes/scooters for deliveries.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey residential landlords to accept rent payments made by cash, certified checks, money orders, personal checks, or through rental assistance programs. Landlords cannot force tenants to use electronic funds transfers for rent payments. Violating these requirements results in a $2,000 penalty per offense for landlords, and tenants may also sue for an additional $2,000 plus legal fees. The law applies directly to landlords and tenants in residential leases across New Jersey.