Maddy summaryS 2108 (New Jersey) increases protections for homeowners and bank account holders facing debt collection. It establishes a homestead exemption for primary residences (including condos and manufactured homes) up to the county median home price (capped at $600,000 for seniors/disabled residents) or $300,000 - whichever is higher - with automatic annual inflation adjustments. The bill also creates a new $300,000 exemption for bank accounts and allows cash proceeds from selling a homestead to remain protected for 18 months. These exemptions apply automatically without requiring paperwork and cover essential household goods, but exclude cases involving fraud or intentional misconduct. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with debt who own a primary residence or maintain qualifying bank accounts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 724, limits annual electricity rate increases for low- and middle-income residential households in New Jersey. It prohibits electric utilities from raising rates for these households by more than the annual inflation rate (based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index). Eligible households are defined as those with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (low-income) or 400% (middle-income). Utilities must report program participation and financial impact to the Board of Public Utilities annually, and non-compliance results in fines determined by the Board. The bill applies to all residential electricity customers meeting the income thresholds, not to commercial or other utility customers.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.
Maddy summaryS 2105 prohibits employers in New Jersey from requiring employees or job applicants to sign training repayment agreements as a condition of employment. These agreements, which would obligate workers to pay back training costs if they leave their job, would be void under the law. The bill specifically excludes cash advances, equipment payments, sabbatical contracts, and agreements from collective bargaining from this prohibition. It also protects workers from retaliation if they refuse such agreements or report violations. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryS 2132 requires public agencies receiving state funds for public work projects to publicly post monthly on their websites how much of those funds went to contracts with businesses owned by minorities, women, or veterans versus other businesses. This applies to all state departments, local governments, and public institutions that use state funds for construction or infrastructure projects (defined as "public work" in the bill). Agencies without websites must submit the data to the Department of Labor, which will also compile an annual report for the Governor and Legislature summarizing statewide spending patterns. The law aims to increase transparency about state contracting practices without changing existing requirements for awarding contracts.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SJR 48 designates November each year as "Caregivers Awareness Month" to honor unpaid family caregivers and raise awareness about the challenges they face. The resolution requests the governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with events recognizing caregivers. It highlights that caregivers in New Jersey provide significant care - often 20+ hours weekly - while balancing work and health impacts, with many reporting emotional stress and health deterioration. This symbolic resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to acknowledge the contributions of the estimated 65 million unpaid caregivers nationwide.
Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of paying for sex (being a "patron") from a less serious disorderly persons offense to a crime, imposing a minimum $10,000 fine for first-time offenders. It directly affects individuals who pay for sexual services, not sex workers. All fines collected from prostitution-related offenses - including those for paying for sex - will now be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" established under prior law. The bill also increases penalties for offenses involving minors, requiring a minimum $25,000 fine. This policy change shifts both the legal classification of patronage and the funding mechanism for victim support.
Maddy summaryS 511 allows New Jersey taxpayers with gross income of $85,000 or less to deduct qualified higher education tuition and fee expenses paid during the tax year. The deduction covers costs for the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependents enrolled as matriculated students at accredited public or private colleges or universities. It applies to expenses paid for accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This policy change directly affects low-to-moderate income families with students in higher education.
Maddy summaryS 2073 requires members of New Jersey's independent state authorities (like boards or commissions not directly controlled by a state department) to disclose if a family member has a contract with that authority. Members must report such relationships to the State Ethics Commission within 30 days of their appointment or when a contract with a relative begins. Violations can result in removal from office and fines up to $10,000 per violation. The bill aims to increase transparency around potential conflicts of interest involving authority members and their relatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires printers sold in New Jersey to display the average cost per 1,000 printed pages for black text (and color, if applicable) on packaging or a visible label. It also mandates that ink cartridges display their yield (number of pages printed) using standardized industry metrics. The law applies to all sellers of printers and ink cartridges, aiming to provide clear cost information to consumers. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense.