Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers New Jersey's statewide sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects consumers and businesses selling taxable goods and services, including most retail items, prepared food, and certain services like tanning, massage, and utility bills (with limited exemptions for homebound elderly meals and some services). The key change modifies the tax rate in the law, reducing the percentage applied to eligible transactions. This is a straightforward rate adjustment without new exemptions or complex mechanisms. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Budget Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to include disability-owned businesses in state medical cannabis business development programs and permit processes. It creates an Office of Disability-Owned Business Development within the cannabis commission to establish certification standards for these businesses and track state contract awards to them. The bill mandates that disability-owned businesses must be certified to qualify for medical cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, and dispensary permits under existing state programs. It also requires the Chief Diversity Officer to compile annual data on how many disability-owned businesses receive state cannabis permits. This applies specifically to the medical cannabis industry, not general business programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1126) requires immediate parole revocation for New Jersey parolees who assault or threaten law enforcement officers (or their family members) with the intent to cause imminent fear of death or physical harm. It directly affects parolees convicted of or arrested for such acts, mandating that the Parole Board detain them and begin revocation proceedings without waiting for a criminal conviction. Key provisions include: (1) applying to threats made to officers' spouses, parents, children, or other household relatives; (2) extending protection to retired officers based on their former status; and (3) requiring the threat to create a belief of immediate danger. The bill does not change existing parole revocation for other crimes but adds specific triggers for officer-related offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2858, would allow certified medication aides to administer medications to residents in New Jersey nursing homes. Currently, this practice is permitted in 38 other states and in other care settings like assisted living facilities, but not in New Jersey nursing homes. The legislation amends certification rules to expand medication administration duties for these aides, addressing severe staffing shortages that have persisted since the pandemic. Nursing homes would benefit by utilizing certified medication aides to help meet staffing ratios and reduce burdens on existing staff, without changing background check requirements for certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state officials, including the Commissioner of Health, from requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend public K-12 schools. It directly affects public school students and families by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. The key provision bans state government entities from making SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment or attendance in public primary or secondary schools. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, with no exceptions for school attendance requirements. It does not address other vaccination requirements or private school policies.

Maddy summaryS 1174 prohibits electric and gas utilities from charging residential customers in budget billing plans for service during interruptions caused by major emergency events (like storms, floods, or declared disasters) until service is restored. It directly affects residential utility customers enrolled in fixed-rate budget billing plans who experience service outages due to qualifying emergencies. The bill requires the Board of Public Utilities to enforce this prohibition, though utilities may still collect payments for service used *before* the emergency began. This policy change ensures customers aren't billed for service they couldn't use during disaster-related outages.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the automatic presumption that defendants charged with certain serious offenses can be released before trial. It specifically applies to individuals accused of sex offenses (as defined by New Jersey law) or violent crimes involving a deadly weapon, as well as repeat vehicle theft cases with prior convictions. Under the bill, judges must now hold a hearing to evaluate each case individually, considering community safety and victim protection, rather than automatically granting pretrial release. Non-monetary conditions like electronic monitoring or avoiding victims may be imposed, but monetary bail cannot be used to address safety concerns. The bill changes the standard for pretrial release decisions for these specific charges in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2625 creates new criminal offenses for creating, distributing, or possessing digital images depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children - including computer-generated or manipulated images that appear to show minors. The bill specifically targets content where a child (under 18) or an identifiable child (recognizable by features like face or birthmark) is shown in prohibited sexual acts, simulated acts, or sexually suggestive poses, or where manipulated images falsely depict a child ("purported child"). It criminalizes actions like photographing such acts, distributing these images online or via file-sharing programs, and possessing them with intent to distribute. This law directly affects individuals who produce, share, or store these specific digital materials, imposing penalties ranging from first-degree to second-degree crimes.

Maddy summaryS 910 establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" to help New Jersey employers recruit veterans by covering relocation costs. The program reimburses participating employers up to $5,000 per veteran for eligible expenses (like moving costs), provided veterans accept a job with the employer and work there for at least 12 months. Veterans must create profiles through a contracted nonprofit to connect with employers, and employers must pay relocation costs upfront before seeking state reimbursement. If a veteran leaves before 12 months due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., layoff or family emergency), the state may forgive part or all of the repayment. This directly affects New Jersey employers who join the program and veterans relocating to work in the state.

Maddy summarySJR 47 designates the month of March as "Military and Law Enforcement Working Dogs Month" in New Jersey to honor the service of working dogs and their handlers in military and law enforcement roles. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities during March, aligning with National K9 Veterans Day on March 13th. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it solely recognizes the historical contributions of these dogs, which have protected national security since the U.S. Army's 1942 K-9 Corps program and supported law enforcement since the 1970s.