Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law that allowed New Jersey municipalities to charge applicants up to $200 for a public defender application. It directly affects people seeking public defender services in local courts who might have faced this fee. The key provision removes municipal authority to impose such fees, eliminating a potential financial barrier. The sponsor states this aligns with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel by removing fee-related obstacles. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 46) urges Congress to permanently change the tax code so that all forgiven student loans - such as those canceled through income-driven repayment plans, public service programs (like Teacher Loan Forgiveness), or death/disability - no longer count as taxable income. Currently, most discharged loans are subject to federal income tax, while limited exceptions (e.g., public service forgiveness or death/disability loans forgiven between 2017-2026) are not. The resolution seeks to eliminate these inconsistencies by making all discharged student loan amounts tax-exempt permanently. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change the law but requests Congress take action.

Maddy summarySJR 58 establishes the "Williams and Amenhotep New Jersey Task Force on Missing Persons" to review and improve how New Jersey handles missing persons cases. The task force, composed of state officials, law enforcement representatives, and appointed public members, will examine current law enforcement practices statewide for investigating missing persons reports and identify if changes are needed to align with best practices. Within 12 months of forming, the task force must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, after which it will dissolve. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a temporary body to assess and suggest improvements to missing persons response procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to provide at least 60 days' written notice before ending any state financial aid or service to affected parties, including individuals, organizations, and local governments. For services critical to public health, safety, or welfare (such as healthcare or emergency services), the notice period extends to 90 days. The notice must clearly state the reason for discontinuation, effective date, available alternatives, and contact information for appeals, with exceptions only for federal mandates, emergencies, fund exhaustion, or violations of terms. Agencies must also publish the notice online and inform legislative leaders about the change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all paid and volunteer firefighters in New Jersey municipalities within coastal zones to complete mandatory marine firefighting training. Firefighters must complete basic training within one year of the law's effective date, advanced training within two years of basic, and biennial in-service training thereafter. The law appropriates $140 million from the General Fund to fund the training programs and Coast Guard-approved courses developed by the Division of Fire Safety. It applies to all firefighters engaged in fire suppression or rescue in coastal communities, defined as those included in the state's Coastal Management program under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 189) amends New Jersey law to allow the state's Transportation Research Bureau to award research contracts to private colleges/universities and other eligible entities (like non-profits), not just public institutions. It requires the bureau to determine if such contracts serve the public interest and follow standard public bidding rules. The bill also mandates that all research funded under these contracts must consider transportation needs of residents with disabilities. It defines "entities" to include non-profits but excludes municipal planning organizations. The bill does not create new funding but changes how research contracts are awarded for transportation projects.

Maddy summaryS 2257 requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover family planning and reproductive health care services - including abortion, contraception, counseling, and related medical care - without cost-sharing. It directly affects health insurers, Medicaid, and medical providers by mandating comprehensive coverage and prohibiting medical malpractice insurance companies from penalizing providers for offering legally protected reproductive care. The bill defines covered services to include abortion procedures, emergency care, genetic testing, and well-baby care, while explicitly excluding childbirth. This policy aims to remove financial barriers, particularly for low-income individuals, people of color, and those in rural areas, ensuring access to reproductive health services without insurance restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects $2 million in existing health services funding from "Salvation and Social Justice" to the Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation for a restorative maternal health birthing center in Trenton. It amends the fiscal year 2026 appropriations act to change the recipient of the funds while maintaining the same purpose and total funding amount. The reallocation affects the Trenton-based nonprofit organizations involved in maternal health initiatives, without altering overall state spending.

Maddy summaryS 1787 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use-of-force policy every even-numbered year (or sooner if needed), ensuring it prioritizes de-escalation, limits force to what's necessary and proportional, and treats deadly force as a last resort. It mandates public reporting of all law enforcement use-of-force incidents through a publicly accessible online database and establishes specific protocols for handling barricaded persons - especially those in mental health crises - requiring crisis intervention training for officers. The bill also requires the Police Training Commission to include barricaded-person response training in all officer basic courses. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.243.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to create a free mentoring program for civil service firefighter applicants living in municipalities with a median income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. The program provides guidance through the application, exam, and hiring process via workshops, study groups, and resources to help overcome barriers, particularly to compete with applicants from wealthier areas using private study groups. Mentors - current or former firefighters in good standing - volunteer without pay, and applicants can use the program up to three times within a decade. The Commission must annually review the program’s effectiveness and ensure no fees are charged to participants.