Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," requiring school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (affecting speech, hearing, or vision) receive tailored support. It mandates schools provide early screening, trained assistants using a student's preferred communication method (like sign language or AAC devices), and communication plans in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Schools must also guarantee full access to all educational activities - from classrooms to extracurriculars - and ensure parents receive linguistic support. The law aligns with existing federal protections under the ADA and IDEA but codifies specific school district obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, calculated proportionally to their disability rating (e.g., 50% disability = 50% exemption). It directly affects veterans declared by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected disability of at least 30% (or deemed unemployable due to such disability), and their surviving spouses under specific conditions. The state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax revenue lost from these exemptions, with a $10,000 cap for partial exemptions (below 100% disability).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 36) urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance benefits and two types of disability leave benefits (family temporary disability leave and temporary disability leave) from federal taxation. It directly affects individuals receiving these benefits during unemployment, illness, injury, or caregiving for a family member, who currently face federal tax burdens on income they rely on during financial hardship. The resolution argues taxing these benefits worsens financial strain on vulnerable people already managing limited incomes. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change tax law but calls on federal lawmakers to act.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers who move to the state for a new job to deduct certain moving expenses from their gross income. It covers reasonable costs like moving household goods, travel expenses (including lodging but not meals), and storage related to the move. To qualify, taxpayers must work full-time for at least 39 weeks within 12 months (or 78 weeks within 24 months) in New Jersey after moving, with exceptions for death, disability, or involuntary job loss. The deduction applies only to those relocating specifically to start work in New Jersey, not to general relocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police to operate a 24-hour toll-free hotline (via phone or text) for anonymous reports of school safety threats. It directly affects students, parents, school staff, and the public who can report incidents like violence, bullying, suicide threats, or criminal activity without revealing their identity. The hotline will share verified reports with local police and school administrators to enable prompt investigation, while ensuring anonymity unless the reporter voluntarily discloses their identity. The State Police must also distribute hotline information to all public and nonpublic schools for student and family awareness. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1946 allows New Jersey municipalities to create programs giving priority for affordable housing units to low- and moderate-income veterans who served in wartime or emergencies (up to 50% of affordable units in a project). It amends state housing law to let municipalities use tools like rezoning, tax abatements, or public land to build affordable housing while requiring units to remain affordable for at least six years. The bill specifically adds a veteran preference mechanism into housing selection processes but does not require municipalities to raise taxes or spend public funds for this purpose. This directly affects municipalities developing housing projects and low-to-moderate-income veterans seeking housing in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1143) increases penalties for unlawfully taking motor vehicles in New Jersey. It raises the crime degree for simply taking a vehicle without owner consent from a fourth-degree offense (up to 18 months jail) to a third-degree offense (3-5 years jail, up to $15,000 fine). For taking a vehicle in a way that risks injury or property damage, it elevates the crime from third-degree to second-degree (5-10 years jail, up to $150,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who take vehicles without permission, including those engaging in "joyriding" or reckless operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any person or entity - including private companies, public agencies, or federal operations - from releasing hazardous chemicals or physical agents into the atmosphere for geoengineering, defined as intentional environmental manipulation to alter weather, cloud formation, or atmospheric conditions (e.g., cloud seeding, aerosol injection, or chaff dispersal). It requires the state Environmental Protection Commissioner to notify federal authorities if they conduct such activities in New Jersey and establishes a public reporting program for suspected violations, allowing citizens to submit evidence like photos or data. Violators face civil penalties up to $50,000 per offense, with enforcement handled by the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill directly affects entities conducting geoengineering activities within New Jersey, including federal agencies operating in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fourth-degree crime for using GPS or location-tracking devices to follow a vehicle with intent to commit an unlawful act, such as in domestic violence, sexual assault, or vehicle theft cases. It directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to monitor others for criminal purposes. The key provision mandates that this offense be sentenced under enhanced penalties, requiring a minimum five-year prison term (instead of standard penalties for fourth-degree crimes). The bill aims to address risks posed by technology misuse, without altering existing sentencing for other offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed New Jersey health care facilities to permit patients and residents to receive visitors to the fullest extent allowed under current federal or state law. It directly affects patients, residents (including adults, minors, and people with disabilities), and the facilities themselves by mandating that visitation policies align with existing legal standards. The key provision states facilities must allow visitors - including spouses, family, caregivers, or health care agents - when such visitation is legally permitted, removing barriers that previously prevented in-person visits during the pandemic. The bill takes immediate effect and applies to all facilities licensed under New Jersey’s health care laws. It does not create new visitation rights but requires facilities to operate within existing legal boundaries.