Maddy summaryThis bill (A2815) establishes a program where groups of nonpublic schools (consortia) take over transportation responsibilities for students who are legally required to receive school bus service from public school districts. Under the program, participating school districts would pay consortia the current aid-in-lieu transportation rate ($1,022 per student) for mandated transportation, and the consortia would assume all transportation duties for those students. Consortia may also offer optional transportation for other students at parental cost (capped at $1,022), and must refund unused funds to districts based on actual student usage. The program requires annual audits, an oversight committee, and takes effect immediately for the 2023-2024 school year.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's rules for repaying unemployment benefits paid in error. It creates a tiered repayment system based on when the recipient is notified of the overpayment: 100% repayment if notified within 90 days, 65% if notified between 91-180 days, 35% if notified between 181-365 days, and no repayment required if notified after 365 days. The policy protects individuals from excessive repayment burdens when overpayments occur through no fault of their own, particularly when delays in notification by employers or the state extend the overpayment period. This applies to both individuals who received overpayments and employers who might cause overpayments through reporting errors.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1877) requires health insurance carriers to offer healthcare providers - such as doctors, dentists, and hospitals - more than one payment method (e.g., check, electronic transfer, or credit card) for reimbursement, rather than forcing them to accept only one option. It mandates that carriers disclose any fees tied to specific payment methods before the first payment and provide clear instructions for selecting methods, while requiring a 30-day turnaround for changing payment methods upon provider request. The bill also prohibits carriers from using a provider’s preferred payment method to decide whether to grant credentials for network participation. These changes apply to all health and dental insurance plans in the state, with enforcement handled by the Department of Banking and Insurance.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.
Maddy summaryACR 104 proposes a constitutional amendment to make the State Comptroller an elected position rather than an appointed one, while eliminating the Office of State Auditor. Currently, the State Comptroller is appointed by the Governor for a six-year term with Senate approval, and the State Auditor is appointed by the Legislature. Under this amendment, the Comptroller would be elected by statewide voters for a four-year term with a limit of two consecutive terms, becoming an independent executive branch officer. This change would consolidate the duties of both current offices into one elected position responsible for financial audits and oversight of state government operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that phone lines, websites, or electronic systems used to collect anonymous tips for criminal investigations must encrypt communications to hide the tipster's identity, phone number, device details, and exact location (only the municipality is shared). It prohibits law enforcement and system operators from requesting or keeping these identifying details. Tips and related records cannot be accessed under New Jersey's open records law or used as evidence in court, except for cases involving false reports to police. Violating the bill by disclosing a tipster's identity is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine, and government employees who leak such information face civil liability for up to $25,000 plus legal fees.
Maddy summaryThis bill, designated as Brianna's Law, makes it illegal to transport for slaughter, sell, or slaughter a pregnant cow (a "gestating cow") in New Jersey. It creates a fourth-degree crime with criminal penalties including fines of $3,000 to $10,000 per violation, and establishes a civil penalty of $3,000 to $5,000 per cow or carcass. The law directly affects livestock transporters, slaughterhouses, and anyone involved in the sale or handling of pregnant cows. It amends New Jersey's animal cruelty statutes to specifically prohibit these actions, named after a pregnant cow named Brianna who escaped slaughter in 2018.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for selling single cigarettes or cigarettes in packs of fewer than 20, which is already prohibited under New Jersey law. Vending machine owners face daily fines of $200-$1,000 (up from $100-$500), and retail sellers pay $500 for a first offense (up from $250) or $1,000 for repeat offenses (up from $500). It directly affects businesses operating vending machines or selling cigarettes at retail in non-compliant packaging. The bill strengthens existing fines without changing the prohibition on such sales.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A3292) creates a public online registry for domestic violence offenders in New Jersey, making detailed personal information accessible to the public. It requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling (6 months for first offense, up to 2 years for repeat offenses) and community service (minimum 1 year) for convicted offenders, while increasing fines to $500 for first offenses, $1,000 for second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent offenses. The registry includes offenders' names, aliases, offense details, physical descriptions, photos, vehicle info, and addresses, with removal options after 2, 7, or 20 years (excluding severe crimes like homicide or sexual assault). The bill also specifies that the registry is separate from existing systems and includes procedures for address updates and removal petitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a model policy mandating law enforcement officers to intervene when witnessing misconduct by colleagues, such as unjustifiable force, civil rights violations, or other criminal acts. All law enforcement agencies in the state must adopt this model policy or a substantially identical approved alternative, including disciplinary consequences for officers who fail to intervene. Agencies must report quarterly on interventions to the Attorney General, who will compile an annual summary for the Legislature.