Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill permits licensed organizations in New Jersey, such as charities, churches, and civic groups, to conduct a specific raffle game called "Queen of Hearts." It defines the game as one where participants draw cards from a board of 54 shuffled cards until they select the Queen of Hearts. If a non-Queen card is chosen, the participant wins a cash prize; if the Queen is selected, they receive 50% of the prize with the rest going to the organizer. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission must create regulations for this game, but the bill does not change existing licensing rules for eligible organizations.

Maddy summaryS 1082 creates the "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" to support New Jersey's craft beverage industry. It establishes a certification program for retailers selling at least 10% of their alcohol sales from local craft producers (breweries, cideries, distilleries), requiring them to display "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" signage. Qualified retailers can apply for grants up to $2,500 annually to fund capital improvements or promotional activities related to selling New Jersey-made beverages. Funding comes from 50% of tax revenues on craft beverage sales, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with input from the Division of Travel and Tourism.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 11-member Commission on Career and Technical Education to study and evaluate the availability, equity, and expansion of career training programs across New Jersey school districts. The commission will assess program access in counties, review costs and benefits of expansion, and issue a report with recommendations within one year. It also requires public school principals (grades 6-12) to annually promote career programs through student assemblies, parent events, and website notices. The bill directly affects school districts, county vocational schools, and students seeking career-focused education pathways. It creates no new funding but mandates specific reporting and awareness efforts to improve program visibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to compare its driver and vehicle registration database with the Social Security Administration's death records at least once monthly. If an individual appears in the SSA death records, the MVC must update their database to reflect their death. The bill directly affects deceased individuals' records in the MVC system, ensuring administrative accuracy. It does not change eligibility for benefits or create new requirements for living residents. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3430 (S 3430) expands the responsibilities of the Office of School Bus Safety to enhance student transportation safety. The bill requires the office to verify school bus driver training certifications, maintain a list of contractors barred from bidding on transportation contracts, and coordinate with the Motor Vehicle Commission to share safety data. It mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing safety recommendations, enforcement actions, and progress on past safety improvements. These changes directly affect school districts, transportation contractors, and state agencies overseeing school bus operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to implement a contactless payment system for all rail and light-rail passenger services within 18 months. It mandates that customers can tap credit/debit cards or mobile wallets at entry/exit points, load digital cards onto mobile apps, or use reusable physical cards - without needing physical tickets. NJT may charge a fee for physical cards but must waive it for disabled riders and senior citizens. The bill also requires NJT to consider employee impacts during the transition and study similar systems used in other states. This directly affects NJT operations and all rail passengers using New Jersey’s transit system.

Maddy summaryS 3455 establishes a "Student Mental Health Task Force" to examine mental health challenges faced by New Jersey students, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. The task force, composed of 17 members (including state agency heads and appointed representatives from education, mental health, and community organizations), will survey existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations to improve students' access to mental health services and support, focusing on identifying needs, assessing provider networks, funding sources, and potential partnerships with colleges. The bill does not create new programs but mandates a study to inform future policy. (S 3455, introduced February 9, 2026)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to let individuals voluntarily indicate on their vehicle registration that they or a regularly driving family member has a disability affecting daily activities (like mobility or communication). People can add this designation during registration, renewal, or online, and include helpful communication details for law enforcement. The information is kept private - only accessible to MVC staff and police during traffic stops to improve communication, and not shared otherwise or treated as a public record. It cannot be used for any purpose beyond assisting during vehicle stops and can be updated or removed anytime.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit monthly data to the Attorney General about handgun permit and firearm purchase permit applications. The data must include applicant demographics (race, ethnicity, gender identity), application status (approved/denied), and denial reasons. The Attorney General must then compile and publicly release this information starting from June 2022, with an initial report due within two months of the bill's effective date. The bill aims to increase transparency around firearm licensing outcomes, particularly regarding potential disparities in denials across different applicant groups.

Maddy summarySCR 96 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey veterans' property tax deductions from $250 to $2,500 over four years. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who are New Jersey residents, with the deduction amount rising incrementally: $1,000 in 2025, $1,500 in 2026, $2,000 in 2027, and $2,500 starting in 2028. The bill does not change eligibility but phases in the higher deduction amount annually. Surviving spouses of veterans and veterans in continuing care retirement communities would retain existing benefit structures under this amendment. This is a policy change to enhance property tax relief for veterans, not a new benefit.