Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide free lunches to all students, including those from middle-income families. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to students from households with annual incomes up to 249% of the federal poverty level during the 2024-2025 school year. The State would provide funding to reimburse participating schools for the costs of serving these free meals. This applies to both public and nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how financial need is calculated for students at New Jersey public colleges and universities by removing the "expected family contribution" (a measure of what a family is expected to pay) from the formula. Previously, financial need was defined as cost of attendance minus expected family contribution, but the bill updates this to cost of attendance alone. As a result, public institutions can only reduce a student's institutional financial aid if total aid exceeds the full cost of attendance - rather than the previous lower threshold that included subtracting expected family contribution. This directly affects students receiving private scholarships, potentially allowing them to retain more institutional aid without reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2126) requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to clearly post a toll-free customer service phone number at all official vehicle inspection facilities. Drivers using these facilities can call the number to report problems with the inspection process itself, such as technical issues or service concerns. The law takes immediate effect upon passage and directly affects drivers seeking vehicle inspections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "County Government Criminal Justice Reform Administration Fund" to help New Jersey counties cover costs associated with implementing criminal justice reform. It increases several court fees and assessments, with specific portions of these increases (including $2.50 from municipal court fees, $2 from violation assessments, $30 for domestic violence contempt cases, and $5 for court filings) deposited into the fund. The fund will be used to cover county costs related to criminal justice reform implementation, including salaries, health benefits, court security, facility improvements, and other capital expenses. Money from the fund will be distributed to counties based on their proportion of statewide complaint-warrants from the previous fiscal year. Counties must use these funds for specific purposes related to implementing criminal justice reform, as approved by county governing bodies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2152) expands New Jersey’s existing pilot program to authorize grants for qualified nonprofit veterans’ organizations to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes specifically for homeless veterans. It requires veterans to be low-income or have a disability (or both), and grants up to $400,000 per organization annually must include a 50% matching contribution. The program allocates $1 million yearly for five years, prioritizing organizations serving high-need communities and requiring energy-efficient upgrades where cost savings exceed 10%. It directly affects homeless veterans (defined as living in shelters, motels, or unsafe conditions) and qualified 501(c)(3)/501(c)(19) veterans’ nonprofits statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online service operators in New Jersey to notify consumers about how their personal data is collected and shared. Operators must disclose data categories collected, third parties involved, and processes for consumers to review or correct their information. It also mandates a clear opt-in mechanism for data sales (not opt-out), with operators prohibited from discriminating against consumers who choose not to sell their data. Consumers can request details about disclosed data within 60 days, and the Attorney General enforces compliance without allowing private lawsuits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey WIC participants to use their benefits for online purchases of WIC-eligible foods and to pay delivery fees charged by authorized WIC vendors. It permits participants to buy qualifying foods through the online platforms of any New Jersey WIC-approved retailer, including dedicated online vendors, and apply their WIC benefits toward home delivery costs. The bill requires the state health commissioner to seek necessary federal approvals from the USDA to implement these changes. This policy directly affects low-income pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and children under five enrolled in New Jersey's WIC program.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A2300 allocates $650,000 in supplemental funding to the Division of State Police specifically for trooper recruitment and retention. The funds will be used to boost salaries for troopers at Step 9 of the existing salary scale under the State Troopers Fraternal Association collective bargaining agreement. This supplemental appropriation supplements the state's 2024 budget (P.L.2023, c.74) and must be distributed per authority granted to the Civil Service Commission. The bill directly affects current troopers at Step 9 by providing targeted salary support to address staffing challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Community Crisis Response Advisory Council within the Department of Health to develop recommendations for community crisis response programs. It creates a pilot program in Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic Counties to fund community-based crisis response teams that provide non-law enforcement intervention for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, including mental health and substance use issues. The program appropriates $10 million, with grants up to $2 million per municipality for eligible community-based organizations that partner with harm reduction centers and meet specific community engagement criteria. The pilot requires annual reporting on program status and a final report after three years with recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects municipalities in the five counties, community-based organizations, and individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who would receive alternative crisis response services instead of law enforcement involvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law to enhance notice requirements and occupancy restrictions when a potentially hazardous condition is identified in hotels or multiple dwellings. A potentially hazardous condition is defined as an imminent health, safety, or welfare risk, or a deteriorating condition that could become an imminent hazard before the next scheduled inspection. If a violation is deemed potentially hazardous, the commissioner must send written notice with large, easily readable text to municipal officials and property owners, and owners must provide hard copies to residents and post notices in conspicuous locations like lobbies and near elevators. Additionally, owners cannot enter new leases for affected units until the hazard is resolved and a certificate of inspection is issued.