Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with documented flooding history and establish maximum water levels that balance flood prevention with water supply needs for communities. Reservoir owners must create and implement approved flood action plans - including flood gate systems - within 90 days of DEP rules. The Office of Emergency Management can order emergency lowering of reservoir levels during severe weather to prevent flooding, after consulting with the DEP. The state will indemnify reservoir owners who follow approved flood plans and comply with emergency orders, protecting them from related legal claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program that helps volunteer emergency responders in New Jersey reduce their student loan debt. To qualify, individuals must be New Jersey residents who completed an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate, serve as active volunteers in fire companies, first aid squads, or emergency management, and provide verification of their service. The program redeems up to $16,000 of eligible student loans over three years: $4,000 in the first year (capped at 25% of the original loan), $4,000 in the second year (25%), and $8,000 in the third year (50%). Participants must maintain active volunteer status each year to receive the benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $31.6 million in supplemental transportation funding for New Jersey school districts during the 2023-2024 school year. It directly affects school districts by allocating additional aid based on two student categories: $40 per regular education student (including nonpublic students) who qualify for standard transportation, and $275 per special education student requiring specialized transportation services. The funding, drawn from the Property Tax Relief Fund, supplements existing state school aid and is calculated using student counts as of October 16 of the prior year. The bill takes immediate effect and requires the Commissioner of Education to distribute these funds.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2095) allows residents who move to the state to start a new job to deduct certain moving costs from their state income tax. It covers reasonable expenses like moving household goods, travel (excluding meals), and storage for the taxpayer and their household members (defined as those sharing the old and new home). To qualify, taxpayers must work full-time for at least 39 weeks in the first year or 78 weeks over two years (with 39 in the first year) at their new job location. Exceptions exist for death, disability, or involuntary job loss unrelated to misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct up to $2,500 annually in nonreimbursed veterinarian expenses for the examination and care of their household pet. It directly affects individual taxpayers who pay for veterinary services for domesticated animals they own and keep in or near their home. The deduction applies to expenses incurred during the taxable year, provided the veterinarian is licensed in New Jersey. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 945 requires all school psychologists and counselors in New Jersey to complete an 8-hour mental health first aid training course during their first year of employment and at least once every three years thereafter. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from the Department of Human Services, covers identifying signs of mental health issues and substance use in students, risk factors, and response strategies for both crisis and non-crisis situations. It specifically includes information on conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, and psychosis affecting children and adolescents. The course must be reviewed and updated every three years to reflect current mental health understanding. This bill applies directly to school psychologists and counselors employed in New Jersey public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's tax rules for business personal property owned by telecommunications companies. It specifically affects local exchange telephone companies and wireless telephone companies that were subject to property tax as of April 1, 1997. The key provision reverses a misinterpretation of the law that allowed these companies to avoid taxing equipment (like utility poles, cables, and small cell network nodes) by claiming they no longer met a 51% service threshold annually. The bill restores the original 1997 intent to keep such equipment taxable regardless of annual service levels, ensuring these companies continue contributing to local property tax bases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to set the maximum hourly rate for self-directed employees equal to the rate paid to contracted service providers for identical services, duration, and care level. It directly affects individuals receiving developmental disability services who hire their own direct support workers (self-directed employees) and the workers themselves. Currently, self-directed employees typically earn $20-$25/hour for high-acuity community support, while service providers receive $51/hour; this bill would raise the self-directed maximum to $51/hour. The change ensures parity without altering how individuals budget for their services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime for intentionally tracking a vehicle using a location device (like GPS) with the purpose of committing an unlawful act, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or vehicle theft. It classifies this as a fourth-degree offense but mandates a mandatory five-year prison sentence under enhanced sentencing rules, replacing standard penalties. The law directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to harass, threaten, or harm others, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or property crimes. Introduced in the New Jersey Senate on January 9, 2024, it was referred to the Judiciary Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 797 requires all mental health practitioners licensed under Title 45 - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete four hours of suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete this training before licensure, while currently licensed practitioners must complete it within one year of the bill's effective date and every six years thereafter. Approved training programs, covering suicide prevention, assessment, and management, must be submitted to the Division of Consumer Affairs for inclusion on an official list. This law applies directly to licensed mental health professionals practicing in New Jersey, mandating ongoing training to enhance clinical suicide prevention capabilities.