Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1773) requires New Jersey school districts to include specific post-graduation data in annual school performance report cards. It mandates reporting the number and percentage of graduates placed in employment or further education, including apprenticeships, as part of the required school profile. The change applies to all high schools and districts, adding this metric to existing report card requirements like graduation rates and student test scores. The bill aims to provide families and communities with clearer insights into student outcomes after high school.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits third-party reservation platforms (like OpenTable or Yelp) from listing, advertising, or selling restaurant reservations without a written agreement with the restaurant. It directly affects third-party services and food service establishments (including restaurants, pushcarts, and stands serving food to consumers). The key provision requires written authorization from the restaurant before a third-party platform can offer its reservations, with violations subject to daily civil penalties up to $1,000 per restaurant per day. The bill mirrors similar laws in New York and Illinois, aiming to prevent unauthorized reservation arrangements. It is currently pending in the New Jersey Senate Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires school bus contractors to submit annual certifications for each driver, including background checks and license verification, by August 15 before the school year begins. The Office of School Bus Safety will create an automated system to send weekly alerts to contractors who miss deadlines and notify school districts if they remain noncompliant after 10 days. Contractors who fail to comply face potential penalties, suspension of vendor codes, or exclusion from future bids, while districts cannot contract with noncompliant companies without special approval. The bill also establishes a two-year pilot program offering incentives like priority in bidding or fee reductions to contractors who submit certifications on time, with a final report to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program for veterans' memorial homes in New Jersey to receive support from the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing in developing residency training programs for licensed practical and registered nurses. The legislation establishes specific requirements for these programs, including a 12-month timeline, full-time schedules, preceptor support, and data collection on nurse retention after training. A $500,000 appropriation is provided to fund the program, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis and annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to reimburse local municipalities for the cost of property tax exemptions granted to disabled veterans, and it increases the reimbursement rate for existing veterans' property tax deductions. Under the new provisions, the State will cover 102.5 percent of the total amount of disabled veterans' property tax exemptions and 102.5 percent of the veterans' property tax deductions claimed by taxpayers in each tax year. The legislation also establishes a certification process where tax assessors and county boards must report the number and dollar value of these exemptions to the State by specific deadlines each year. These changes directly affect local taxing districts, which will receive additional state funding to offset the revenue lost from these tax breaks, while disabled veterans continue to benefit from their existing property tax relief programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April each year as "Autism Awareness and Recognition Month" in New Jersey to increase public understanding of autism spectrum disorders. The resolution asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging state officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. It aims to highlight the diverse experiences of people with autism across families, workplaces, schools, and communities while promoting further research on the disorder. This measure directly affects state government operations and public awareness efforts but does not allocate funding or change existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases compensation for poll workers in New Jersey elections and provides overtime pay when polling places stay open late. It raises the standard fee for district board members from $300 per election to $300 plus additional payments, increasing specific responsibilities like handling signature registers from $25 to $50 per person. The legislation also mandates hourly pay at the state minimum wage for workers who remain on duty after polls close to serve voters still in line. Counties that incur these additional costs will be reimbursed by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3684) updates New Jersey's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to clarify and strengthen protections for individuals impacted by crime. Key changes include adding a new right for victims to communicate with prosecutors about plea negotiations *before* such discussions begin (Section 3, point o), and ensuring victims aren't charged fees for accessing their own case records (Section 3, points 42-47). It directly affects crime victims navigating the state's criminal justice system, ensuring they receive clearer information, greater input during plea processes, and no financial barriers to accessing their case documents. The revisions refine existing protections without creating new rights, focusing on practical improvements to victim support.

Maddy summaryS 1197 prohibits third-party reservation platforms (like apps or websites) from listing, advertising, or selling restaurant reservations without a written agreement with the restaurant. It directly affects restaurants and third-party services by requiring explicit contracts for reservation distribution. The bill imposes daily civil penalties of up to $500 per violation and allows restaurants or customers to sue for damages, attorney fees, or court-ordered stops to ongoing violations. This mirrors Illinois' similar law and takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a psychoactive compound found in Kratom, to New Jersey's Schedule I list of controlled substances. It directly affects anyone possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or using 7-OH in the state. Under the law, 7-OH would be classified as a substance with "high potential for abuse" and "no accepted medical use," making it illegal for non-medical purposes. Possession of 1 ounce or more would be a second-degree crime, while smaller amounts would be a third-degree crime under New Jersey's drug laws.