Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summarySJR 28 designates March 17 of each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. This procedural resolution does not create new policies or funding but recognizes that profound autism affects individuals requiring 24/7 care, often with severe intellectual disabilities or minimal speech, who face exclusion from support programs. The bill cites CDC data showing 26.7% of autistic children in the U.S. have profound autism, with higher rates among girls, racial minorities, and those with additional health challenges. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor this recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a whistleblower reward program for employees reporting tax law violations by construction industry employers in New Jersey. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest (or up to 10% if the tip came from public sources like media or audits). The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties and includes protections against retaliation under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summarySCR 51 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities determine their affordable housing requirements. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs, but the amendment would require the Legislature to calculate a single statewide number representing the total affordable housing needed for the entire state. This statewide figure would become the exclusive requirement under the Constitution, replacing the current regional approach. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next general election after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities (gas, electric, water, and sewer providers) to mail detailed written explanations of proposed rate increase settlements to affected customers before the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) makes its final decision. The notification must include a clear justification for the proposed rate change. It applies specifically to settlements that would increase individual rates, tolls, charges, or service schedules. The bill aims to improve transparency for customers prior to rate adjustments. (Note: This is a procedural transparency measure, not a substantive rate change.)

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1990) modifies rules about hiding home addresses in public records related to elections and real estate. It allows unredacted home addresses to be shared with specific groups, including election challengers, candidates, real estate professionals (like agents and title companies), and court-approved petitioners. The bill specifically exempts campaign finance reports, property lien records, and election petitions from standard redaction requirements. It does not create new disclosure rules but clarifies who may access unredacted addresses for legitimate election administration or real estate transactions. The changes apply to documents held by election offices, tax agencies, and county recorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county clerks to remove voters from mail-in ballot lists under three specific conditions: if USPS returns their ballot mail, they haven't used mail-in ballots for two years, or their address changed (per USPS records). Before removal, clerks must send a 30-day written notice explaining the reason and how to reapply. Voters who don't respond within 30 days are removed and receive a reapplication form. The bill directly affects voters currently enrolled in mail-in voting who no longer meet the criteria for continued mail delivery.

Maddy summaryS 877 exempts municipal electric utilities from oversight by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) regarding their rates and operations. Currently, if a municipality provides electricity beyond its city limits, it is treated as a public utility subject to BPU rate regulation; this bill removes that requirement. Municipal electric utilities would no longer need BPU approval for rates, charges, or operations, though the BPU would retain authority to resolve disputes over service territories. This directly affects cities operating electric utilities that serve customers outside their corporate boundaries. The bill amends existing laws (R.S.40:62-24 and P.L.1983, c.78) to create this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a legal framework for supervised psilocybin therapy in New Jersey for adults 21+ with behavioral health conditions. It creates licensed psilocybin service centers where trained facilitators provide guided sessions, requiring prior medical referrals and mandatory preparation/integration therapy sessions with mental health providers. The bill defines key terms like "administration session" and "adverse event," and mandates a regulatory system including a Psilocybin Advisory Board to oversee safety, prevent diversion, and ensure accessibility. It specifically targets conditions like depression, anxiety, and treatment-resistant depression, with provisions to develop a statewide strategic plan for long-term service delivery. The bill does not legalize recreational use but focuses on regulated medical access under strict supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.