Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThe "Gary Letizia Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Act" authorizes New Jersey paramedics, under medical oversight, to administer blood products to patients in pre-hospital settings (e.g., ambulances) during severe bleeding or shock. It requires EMS providers to meet specific standards - including paramedic training, equipment protocols, and quarterly audits - and establishes reimbursement rates equivalent to hospital-based transfusions for Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and private insurance. The bill also creates a state grant program to cover initial equipment and training costs, and mandates a statewide blood rotation system to prevent waste and ensure adequate supply of low-titer O blood for emergency use.

Maddy summaryS 4559 requires community group home operators to first obtain municipal approval confirming compliance with local zoning and land use regulations before the state Department of Human Services can issue a license. This affects new or existing community group homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities or addiction, as they must now secure a written "certificate of preliminary approval" from their municipality. The bill mandates that the municipality verify the proposed home meets all pre-existing local ordinances, and the state department cannot approve a license application without this certificate. This adds a new local government review step to the licensing process for these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes from New Jersey state income tax compensation earned by college athletes for using their name, image, or likeness (NIL), directly affecting student-athletes at four-year public or private colleges in New Jersey. It allows a tax exclusion of up to $100,000 annually for NIL earnings earned under the existing New Jersey Fair Play Act (P.L.2020, c.83), which permits athletes to monetize their NIL. The exclusion applies only to athletes participating in intercollegiate sports while enrolled at a New Jersey-based four-year institution. The law takes effect immediately for taxable years starting after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits third-party reservation platforms (like OpenTable or Yelp) from listing, advertising, or selling reservations for restaurants without a written agreement with the restaurant. It directly affects restaurants (including food trucks and stands) and third-party reservation services, requiring explicit authorization before any reservation arrangements. Key provisions mandate written agreements for all reservation listings, with violations subject to daily civil penalties up to $1,000 per restaurant per day. The law mirrors similar measures in New York and Illinois, aiming to give restaurants control over their reservation channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's juvenile justice law to require that any juvenile charged with a crime listed under the "No Early Release Act" (NERA) be tried as an adult in criminal court, regardless of the juvenile's age. Currently, juveniles 15 or older can be tried as adults for certain serious offenses, but this bill expands the requirement to all NERA crimes and removes the age requirement. The NERA crimes include serious offenses such as murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, carjacking, and certain drug-related crimes. The bill also requires the Youth Justice Commission to collect and analyze data on these cases to monitor how the law is being applied. This policy change affects all juveniles in New Jersey who are charged with NERA crimes, shifting their cases from juvenile court to adult criminal court.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the automatic presumption that defendants charged with certain offenses can be released before trial. It specifically removes this presumption for defendants accused of sex offenses (as defined under Megan's Law) or violent crimes committed using a deadly weapon (such as aggravated assault, robbery, or sexual assault involving a weapon). Under current law, courts generally assume pretrial release is appropriate unless specific risks exist; this bill requires courts to consider detention for these cases without that automatic assumption. The change directly affects defendants facing these specific charges during pretrial proceedings in New Jersey courts.

Maddy summaryS 4415, the "Stolen Vehicle Possession Accountability Act," increases penalties for repeat offenders who receive stolen motor vehicles. Adults convicted of this crime on two or more prior occasions within 15 years face a second-degree offense (previously third degree for lower-value vehicles), punishable by 5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 in fines, and mandatory 85% of the sentence without parole eligibility. Juveniles adjudicated delinquent for two or more prior offenses must have their cases transferred to adult court, where they may receive up to 10 years in prison for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects repeat offenders in both adult and juvenile justice systems, focusing on enhancing sentencing for habitual stolen vehicle possession.

Maddy summaryS 4436 requires New Jersey's Legislature to formally approve the state's Energy Master Plan (EMP) and each three-year revision within six months for it to become official state policy. Currently, the EMP would automatically take effect after the Energy Master Plan Committee adopts it, but this bill mandates legislative approval as a mandatory step. The committee will continue preparing the plan, holding public hearings, and adopting it, but without the Legislature's approval, the plan remains non-binding. This change ensures the Legislature has a direct role in finalizing the state's energy strategy before it becomes policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide new or slightly used luggage (suitcases, backpacks, etc.) to children in resource family care. It directly affects children aged 21 or younger placed in resource family care by DCF, providing luggage for specific transitions: entering care, moving between homes, attending college, or aging out of care. The program will contract with community organizations to accept, store, and distribute clean, durable luggage that has been cleared of donor belongings. DCF must submit annual reports tracking how many children received luggage and the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summarySJR 164 designates March 17 each year as "Profound Autism Day" in New Jersey to raise awareness about people with profound autism and their caregivers. It does not create new policies or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day. The resolution highlights that people with profound autism often require 24/7 care, have severe intellectual disabilities or minimal communication abilities, and face higher rates of health challenges and exclusion from support programs, as noted in a 2023 CDC study showing 26.7% of autistic children in the U.S. have profound autism. This designation aims to foster inclusion for a group frequently marginalized in research and services.