Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of multiple dwelling buildings to notify tenants and tenant associations before selling the property. It specifically mandates notice for sales to affiliates, short sales, or deeds in lieu of foreclosure, ensuring residents are informed of these transactions. If at least 51% of the occupied units are represented by a tenant association, the group gains the right of first refusal to purchase the building. The law also defines how tenant associations can form successor entities, such as cooperatives or joint ventures, to facilitate the acquisition and maintain affordable housing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows homeowners in New Jersey whose primary residences are located in Governor-declared disaster areas to pause their mortgage payments for up to 180 days. To qualify, a borrower must request this forbearance from their lender, who is required to approve the request within 15 business days. During the pause period, lenders cannot charge penalties, fees, or interest, and borrowers have the option to extend the pause for another 180 days. After the forbearance ends, the missed payments must be repaid through loan extension, loan modification, or a deferred payment due at the end of the loan term.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey. It allocates $12 million to expand training and support for midwives, aiming to increase access to culturally competent care for Black communities who currently face higher risks of pregnancy-related death and infant mortality. The legislation directly affects healthcare providers, educational institutions, and state agencies involved in workforce development and maternal health services. By investing in midwifery education and addressing systemic inequities, the bill seeks to improve birth outcomes and reduce the gap between Black and white residents in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commission on Black Women and Girls in New Jersey to address their specific needs through education, health, and policy recommendations. The commission will consist of eleven members, including several state officials and three public members appointed by the Governor to represent medical research and community organizations. Its primary function is to identify and suggest programs focused on issues like social-emotional learning, access to higher education, restorative justice in schools, and comprehensive sexual health education. While housed within the Department of Children and Families, the commission operates independently and has the authority to request information from various government entities to carry out its work.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Mom Project oral health program within New Jersey's Department of Health to provide dental care to low-income pregnant women and new mothers. The legislation defines eligible participants as residents enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare and allocates $3 million in funding to support the initiative. The program specifically targets medically underserved areas to address barriers such as lack of insurance, language differences, and discrimination that often prevent these women from accessing necessary dental services. By connecting eligible mothers with community oral health centers and dental homes, the bill aims to treat periodontal disease and reduce risks associated with preterm birth and low birth weight.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every municipality in New Jersey to either operate its own emergency shelter for homeless individuals or partner with a private nonprofit to do so. Alternatively, a municipality can choose to pay a fee to the county, calculated at $5 per resident based on the latest census data, which the county will then distribute to local shelters based on how many people each shelter serves. To help cover these costs, municipalities are allowed to use existing funds from certificate of occupancy fees. Additionally, all shelters established under this law must use a state system to provide real-time updates on available bed space.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits financial institutions from charging any administrative fees, such as account maintenance or transaction costs, to individuals who have been released from incarceration in New Jersey. It requires that any money remaining in an inmate's facility account be transferred to a free consumer checking account or issued on a fee-free debit card upon release. The legislation also mandates that the state work with banks to provide these banking services at no cost to the former inmates and allows for the disbursement of cash allowances in a fee-free manner.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $12 million program to fund community-led initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families in New Jersey. The funding is directed toward underserved urban areas, including Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City, to support culturally congruent care provided by Black medical professionals, midwives, and doulas. By creating resource centers that address systemic barriers and provide holistic support, the legislation seeks to reduce the state's high rates of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and infant mortality among Black women. The initiative specifically targets regions with significant health disparities to ensure equitable access to prenatal care and wellness services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's version of the "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing residents 18 or older to transfer real property directly to designated beneficiaries upon their death through a special deed. The key mechanism requires the deed to be recorded with the county clerk before the owner's death, remains revocable anytime during the owner's life, and does not affect the owner's rights to sell or mortgage the property while alive. It explicitly states the transfer won't impact the owner's eligibility for public assistance, creditor claims against the owner's property, or the beneficiary's eligibility for benefits. The bill directly affects New Jersey property owners seeking to bypass probate for real estate transfers.

Maddy summaryS 1659 requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. This applies to most construction projects, but excludes single-family homes, dwelling unit renovations/repairs, and small-scale alterations (e.g., to buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit and update it before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within 180 days of enactment. It does not apply to residential renovations or single-family home projects as defined in the bill.