Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Student Support Act creates a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to claim 75% of their contributions (minimum $100) to approved student support organizations that award scholarships. These scholarships are for New Jersey students from low-income families (household income not exceeding 2.6 times the federal reduced-price lunch guidelines) attending participating nonpublic schools that meet specific eligibility criteria. The program limits total annual tax credits to $37.5 million and requires scholarship organizations to spend no more than 5% of contributions on administration. The bill also establishes a separate $37.5 million annual grant program for public school districts with high poverty rates to fund student support services like tutoring and counseling.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July after the bill takes effect. It directly affects local health departments across the state, which lost this dedicated, unrestricted funding when it was eliminated in 2011 (previously accounting for about 15% of their budget). The funding must be spent as outlined in the existing "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," restoring a flexible resource for local health needs. Currently, local health departments rely on fragmented funding sources like property taxes and purpose-limited grants, which this bill aims to supplement.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 1032 requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to study workforce conditions for service providers in mental health, substance use disorder, and developmental disability programs, as well as child welfare services. It mandates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for these providers based on the Consumer Price Index, effective October 1 each year. The studies must examine workforce vacancy rates, demographics, geographic distribution, care needs, and future supply-demand gaps. DHS and DCS must report findings and COLA evaluations to the Governor and Legislature annually, with public access to reports online. The bill directly affects contracted service providers delivering Medicaid-funded care in these sectors.
Maddy summaryS 2535 establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. The bill requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate of $9.09 per 15 minutes (currently $3.65), aligning with reimbursement rates for similar services under the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This change directly affects approved brain injury service providers who deliver structured day programs to Medicaid beneficiaries. The policy applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, ensuring consistent reimbursement for brain injury care.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows disabled veterans in New Jersey to claim a $5,000 deduction from their gross income for service animal expenses not already covered by medical expense deductions. It directly affects disabled veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability recognized by the U.S. Veterans Administration. Key provisions include deducting costs for purchasing, training, and maintaining service animals (such as food, grooming, and veterinary care), with "service animal" defined per the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2024, and requires taxpayers to submit proof to the Division of Taxation.
Maddy summarySCR 107 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand New Jersey's civil service hiring preference for veterans. Currently, only veterans who served during wartime receive this preference when applying for state or local government civil service jobs. The amendment would allow the New Jersey Legislature to pass laws extending this hiring preference to all veterans, regardless of whether they served during wartime. If approved, this change would enable future legislation to broaden eligibility for the preference, directly affecting all veterans applying for civil service positions in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 787 requires certain New Jersey school districts (specifically those in second-class cities ordered by the state Supreme Court to desegregate) to provide transportation for students in interdistrict school choice programs who live more than 2 miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from their assigned school. Sending districts (where students reside) receive state transportation aid for these students, which they must pay directly to the choice districts (where students attend). If a choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed the state aid amount, it can receive supplemental state funding by demonstrating cost-efficient route planning (e.g., centralized pick-ups across multiple districts). The district must annually report excess costs to the state for reimbursement.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1311 prohibits licensed real estate appraisers from considering protected characteristics - including race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability - when valuing properties. The bill directly affects all licensed and certified appraisers in the state by banning discriminatory factors in appraisal analyses. It requires appraisers to complete mandatory anti-bias training as part of their continuing education, including a fair housing and appraisal bias course. This law codifies existing anti-discrimination protections under state law and aims to prevent biased appraisals that could impact property values for marginalized communities.
Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act," creating a program within the Department of Human Services to help migrants and refugees access public assistance programs. The program connects individuals (including those from Haiti, Venezuela, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) with resources like housing, healthcare, job training, education, and legal services. It requires the Department to collaborate with local governments and community groups, run multilingual outreach campaigns, and submit annual reports tracking program effectiveness and service details. The law takes effect immediately.