Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 974 requires public school districts to appoint a mental health specialist for student-athletes participating in school sports programs. The specialist must conduct three annual mental health screenings per season using research-based tools, with parental consent required, and provide resources to athletes, coaches, and staff. School districts must also develop a mental health policy covering symptom recognition, stress reduction, emergency protocols, and transition care, and submit only aggregated, non-identifiable data to the state. This bill directly affects all public school student-athletes in New Jersey and mandates concrete changes to support their mental wellness through structured screening and policy requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySR 37 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging New Jersey educational institutions (including K-12 schools and colleges) to include veterans and active military members in classroom discussions about military values and leadership. It specifically encourages schools to incorporate these perspectives during Veterans Month (November) and through events or lessons. The resolution does not mandate changes but asks institutions to foster student relationships with service members to help students appreciate military values like integrity and selfless service. It applies broadly to all public and private educational settings across the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows people with disabilities to request an exemption from civil service examinations when applying for state jobs in New Jersey. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of disability through a medical professional's letter or certification from specific programs like Social Security Disability Insurance or vocational rehabilitation services. The Civil Service Commission must approve exemptions if the applicant can perform the job duties, and all disability records are kept confidential except for administrative or statistical use. The bill aims to improve access to state employment for qualified individuals with disabilities by removing unnecessary exam barriers.
Maddy summaryS 964 removes a ban on grocery stores providing single-use paper or plastic carryout bags specifically for delivery, pick-up, or curbside pickup orders. The bill amends New Jersey law to allow these bags for off-premises orders (like online grocery deliveries) while maintaining prohibitions on single-use bags for in-store shopping. It directly affects grocery stores (defined as 2,500+ sq. ft. stores selling food for off-site consumption) by expanding permitted bag use. The change applies only to delivery/pick-up scenarios, not to other carryout bags covered under the existing ban.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in New Jersey to notify riders electronically within 48 hours when: 1) Their account details (password, email, or phone number) are changed, or 2) Their account shows unusual ride patterns (e.g., sudden high volume of prearranged rides). It also mandates 24/7 access to live customer service via phone or digital channels to resolve account issues or dispute unauthorized charges. TNCs must annually submit compliance plans to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission as a condition for maintaining their operating permits. The bill directly affects TNCs and riders by enhancing transparency and accountability in account management.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 958) proposes to exempt compensation paid to election workers from state income tax. It directly affects individuals employed as election workers in New Jersey, such as poll workers and election officials. The bill would amend existing tax statutes (R.S.43:21-19) to remove election worker pay from taxable income. However, the provided text only includes definitions related to unemployment benefits (not the tax exemption itself), so specific mechanisms or implementation details cannot be confirmed from this context. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to a Senate committee.
Maddy summaryS 945 requires all school psychologists and counselors in New Jersey to complete an 8-hour mental health first aid training course during their first year of employment and at least once every three years thereafter. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from the Department of Human Services, covers identifying signs of mental health issues and substance use in students, risk factors, and response strategies for both crisis and non-crisis situations. It specifically includes information on conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, and psychosis affecting children and adolescents. The course must be reviewed and updated every three years to reflect current mental health understanding. This bill applies directly to school psychologists and counselors employed in New Jersey public schools.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 929) requires public and private colleges/universities to inform students with federal student loans about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during their final academic semesters. It also mandates that state government employers provide employees with PSLF information at hiring and annually thereafter. The required information includes eligibility details (like needing 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer), the program’s website, and specific loan requirements. This aims to increase awareness of a federal program that forgives student loans after 10 years of public service work. The bill does not change PSLF rules but ensures students and employees receive clear, timely information about the program.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to set the maximum hourly rate for self-directed employees equal to the rate paid to contracted service providers for identical services, duration, and care level. It directly affects individuals receiving developmental disability services who hire their own direct support workers (self-directed employees) and the workers themselves. Currently, self-directed employees typically earn $20-$25/hour for high-acuity community support, while service providers receive $51/hour; this bill would raise the self-directed maximum to $51/hour. The change ensures parity without altering how individuals budget for their services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as driver's licenses, registrations, and ID cards - in person at every MVC agency location, without requiring customers to complete these services online. It mandates that all locations offer walk-in service without appointments, reversing pandemic-era policies that split agencies into "licensing centers" or "vehicle centers" and forced online transactions or multiple trips. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents who use MVC services, ensuring they can access all needed services at their local agency without travel burdens. It takes effect four months after enactment, with MVC allowed to prepare in advance.