Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help people who have been released from prison find jobs. The program will work directly with labor unions to identify job openings and create plans for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. By partnering with these organizations, the initiative aims to provide stable career paths and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that forensic evidence collected during sexual assault investigations in New Jersey be kept for at least 10 years, extending to 10 years after a minor victim turns 18. It applies to various custodians, including law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and healthcare facilities, and mandates that they notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the preservation period. The law also allows county prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice to authorize destruction after the deadline, provided they offer the Division a chance to take custody of the items. By updating current guidelines that previously required only five years of retention, the legislation aims to ensure evidence remains available for potential future use.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 16-member Task Force on Student Mental Health to study how New Jersey public schools can better support students facing issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma. The group will include representatives from the state education and mental health departments, elected officials, educators, parents, and other school staff who will meet to review current services and compare them with successful programs in other states. After organizing within 30 days, the task force must submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the group will dissolve.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts to create specific procedures for reporting harassment, intimidation, and bullying online. It mandates that each district provide an electronic reporting form on its official website, allowing individuals to submit complaints anonymously, though formal discipline cannot be based solely on anonymous tips. The law also updates existing rules to ensure all incidents are reported to school principals within two school days and that written records are maintained on standardized department forms. While the bill preserves local control over policy details, it sets minimum requirements for definitions, consequences, and the inclusion of online reporting options in district anti-bullying policies.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program to provide confidential mental health support to firefighters and their immediate family members who are experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program will award grants to licensed mental health providers, with a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to cover these costs. Selection criteria for grants will prioritize providers located within an hour's travel time of the patients they serve, and a list of approved providers will be published online. The legislation aims to address barriers to care, such as fear of job loss, by ensuring accessible and confidential treatment options.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit to add safety features like barriers and lighting to bus shelters located in high-traffic areas. It applies to both new shelters being built and existing ones, provided a local municipality or entity requests the upgrade. The law defines high-traffic areas as locations with increased danger to pedestrians and passengers, considering factors such as collision frequency and proximity to schools or hospitals. Implementation of these safety improvements is subject to the availability of funds, and the bill takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that amateur sports officials, such as referees and umpires, are classified as independent contractors rather than employees under New Jersey state employment laws. The legislation directly affects individuals who are paid to enforce rules, manage games, and ensure participant safety in amateur athletic events. Key provisions exempt these officials from various state protections and obligations, including unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, wage and hour laws, and certain tax requirements. The law applies retroactively to any pending legal or administrative proceedings that might have previously classified these workers as employees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution recognizes the history of women's suffrage in New Jersey and honors the first women who voted in the state more than 200 years ago. It acknowledges that New Jersey originally granted voting rights to certain women in 1776, expanded those rights in 1790 and 1797, but later restricted suffrage to white men in 1807 and 1844. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, the New Jersey National Organization for Women, and the National Women's History Museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students in grades 11-12 at New Jersey public schools to miss up to three days per school year for college visits, visits to technical institutions, or military recruitment activities without penalty. Students must provide documentation to their school, and these absences will not appear on transcripts, job applications, or affect perfect attendance records. Military recruitment-related activities include required testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting for enlistment. The law aims to support students exploring college or military career paths while maintaining attendance accountability.