Maddy summaryS 3079, the "HOPE Initiative Act," requires New Jersey to create a statewide public awareness campaign about heroin and opioid addiction. The campaign, managed by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, will use all media channels - including TV, social media, billboards, and culturally tailored materials - to educate diverse audiences like at-risk individuals, families, medical professionals, and employers. It specifically aims to debunk myths about addiction, explain warning signs, promote naloxone use, highlight treatment options (including medication-assisted therapy), and provide resources for seeking help. The bill mandates this coordinated effort to combat the opioid epidemic through factual, accessible public education.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3070 establishes a five-year pilot program in Paterson, New Jersey, that changes how expunged records are handled for certain job applicants. It prevents Paterson employers (in municipal courts, law enforcement, or corrections) from requiring disclosure of expunged records related to: (1) arrests/charges dismissed or resulting in acquittal, or (2) minor convictions like disorderly persons offenses. The program excludes applicants for court director/administrator roles, who must still disclose expunged records. After five years, Paterson must report to the state legislature on whether to continue, modify, or expand the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's driver's license suspension penalties (R.S.39:3-40) to clarify how fines and additional license suspensions apply when someone drives with a suspended license. It specifically updates penalty tiers for repeat offenses, including longer license suspensions and higher fines for operating a vehicle while license is suspended, particularly for violations near schools (within 1,000 feet of school property or school crossings). The bill also clarifies penalties for vehicle owners who knowingly let someone with a suspended license drive their vehicle. It directly affects drivers who operate vehicles during license suspensions, with enhanced consequences for repeat offenses and school zone violations. The bill does not create new waiver procedures but refines existing penalty structures.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to provide legal assistance for low-income renters in landlord-tenant disputes. It requires counties to establish a "County Tenant Legal Assistance Program Fund" by diverting $300 from each residential mortgage execution sale fee (over $3.00) collected by county sheriffs. The funds must be used exclusively for legal representation in civil landlord-tenant cases, not for general county budgets. Counties may choose to establish the program, and if they do not, they must promote existing legal aid services through public awareness campaigns. The bill is pending legislative action as of its introduction date.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10 million grant program requiring New Jersey municipalities to develop recreational sports and STEM programs for children. Municipalities must apply for a dollar-for-dollar match, covering costs like equipment, staff, and program materials, with priority given to free or low-cost programs in public spaces like libraries. It directly affects local governments and children by funding activities such as robot-building and 3D printing, aiming to improve physical/mental health and workforce readiness. Participating municipalities must report annual program details and participation data to the state for public review.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey school districts under state intervention (due to failing governance standards) from leasing buildings if the total lease payments over the lease term would exceed the building's purchase price. It directly affects districts managed by the state because they haven't met required governance benchmarks, requiring them to choose between leasing or purchasing based on cost. The key provision mandates that districts or the state acting on their behalf must compare total lease costs against a building's purchase price before entering lease agreements. The law aims to prevent districts from incurring higher long-term expenses through leasing when buying is financially preferable. This applies only to districts under state oversight for governance failures, not to all school districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes retirement benefits for New Jersey public employees by removing tiered membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It transfers all current non-retired PERS members to "Tier 1" (the benefits tier for those enrolled before July 2007), ensuring they receive identical retirement and health benefits as pre-2007 members. It also automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants, though their contributions remain in DCRP, and gives them 6 months to opt out. Additionally, it requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill’s effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $20 million grant program to support New Jersey's minority-serving public colleges and universities (defined as institutions where at least 50% of undergrads are racial/ethnic minorities). Eligible schools must submit detailed stabilization plans addressing at least a 10% decline in full-time undergraduate enrollment and faculty/staff reductions over two years. Grants require institutions to outline strategies for improving enrollment, restoring staff, enhancing instruction, and securing faculty/staff support letters. Funds must be spent per approved plans, with reporting requirements to the Higher Education Secretary, and unspent funds will be redistributed per student.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric and gas utilities to reset their rates to levels from 2020 for a five-year period. Utilities must submit rate filings reflecting 2020 rates to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which must approve them within 30 days. The approved rates would then remain in effect until 2029, directly affecting all residential and business customers of these utilities. The policy change prevents new rate increases above 2020 levels during this period.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3061) clarifies parental rights for children born to unmarried parents. It states that if a father's name appears on a child's birth certificate, he becomes a legal parent with rights and responsibilities - allowing him to request child support and custody arrangements through court. If paternity isn't established (no father's name on the birth record), the mother is the sole legal guardian. The bill also standardizes how paternity is confirmed (e.g., through genetic testing or signed forms) and ensures child support actions can proceed without additional evidence. These changes apply directly to unwed parents and their children in New Jersey.