Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill raises penalties for unlawfully taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent in New Jersey. It upgrades the basic offense (taking or operating a vehicle without consent) from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, increasing potential penalties to 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It also upgrades the offense involving risk of injury or property damage from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, with penalties of 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who take vehicles without permission, including cases commonly referred to as "joyriding."

Maddy summaryS 1656, "River's Law," amends New Jersey law to create a new second-degree crime for animal abuse that demonstrates "extreme indifference to the value of an animal's life." This specifically applies when abuse causes death, serious injury, or involves a prior conviction. Key provisions include raising penalties for such severe cases to a second-degree crime (with potential imprisonment up to 6 months or fines up to $1,000), requiring community service with animal welfare organizations, and mandating restitution for veterinary costs or animal replacement. The bill directly affects individuals who commit severe animal cruelty, such as owners or caretakers whose actions result in death or serious harm. It is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee after being introduced on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 973 requires New Jersey public school districts to allow students attending nonpublic schools to try out for and join high school interscholastic sports teams in their district of residence, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students. These requirements include proof of residency, passing physical exams, meeting academic standards, and paying fees (capped at actual per-pupil costs, with exemptions for financial hardship using free/reduced lunch criteria). The bill does not require districts to change team schedules, provide transportation, or alter participation rules for these students. It explicitly states that students who withdraw from public school due to academic or behavioral issues remain ineligible to compete under the same rules. This policy directly affects nonpublic school students seeking athletic participation in their residential district's public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents healthcare workers in New Jersey from losing unemployment benefits if they were terminated or quit due to refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate (Executive Order 283 of 2022). It directly affects healthcare workers who left jobs at covered facilities over vaccination requirements. The law ensures these workers remain eligible for unemployment benefits, overriding previous rules that could deny benefits for such job separations. The policy applies retroactively to claims filed after January 19, 2022, and expires one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Fostering Success Voucher Act" to provide rental assistance and case management services to young adults aged 18-26 who were in foster care or kinship care and are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. Eligible individuals must reside in New Jersey, meet moderate-income standards, and agree to participate in case management services provided by approved agencies. The program, administered by the Department of Community Affairs, appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to fund rental vouchers comparable to existing state rental assistance programs and secure required case management support. It directly affects young adults transitioning from foster care systems by offering financial stability and support services to prevent homelessness.

Maddy summaryS 915 (New Jersey) grants hospital patients with developmental disabilities the right to be accompanied by a designated caregiver - such as a family member, guardian, direct support professional (DSP), or other caregiver - throughout their entire hospital stay. Hospitals must provide patients or their guardians the opportunity to make this designation at admission, update medical records accordingly, and allow the designated person to accompany the patient except during active surgery where safety concerns exist. This bill directly affects patients with developmental disabilities and their designated caregivers, ensuring they can have consistent support during hospitalization. The law requires hospitals to implement these provisions without mandating that patients make a designation, and it defines key terms like "developmental disability" and "DSP" to clarify eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Commission on Statewide Affordable Housing Obligations" to assess New Jersey's need for low- and moderate-income housing. The commission, made up of four legislative appointees (one from each leadership party), will evaluate factors like median income, housing costs, supply, and population to determine current and future statewide housing needs. It must issue an initial report within six months of forming and every five years thereafter to the Governor and Legislature, with no direct housing policy changes or funding provided by the bill itself. The commission's work will inform future housing planning but does not mandate new housing construction or subsidies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Police Training Commission to create a mandatory training course on school emergency response, including active shooter scenarios and lockdown drills. It directly affects all local police officers in New Jersey, mandating that new officers complete the training before permanent appointment and existing officers must complete it within 36 months of the law's effective date. The training will be integrated into regular in-service programs provided by each police department.

Maddy summaryS 897 allows New Jersey colleges and universities to let final-year graduate students in mental health care fields (like psychiatry, psychology, counseling, or social work) graduate or begin clinical placements early during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. The bill removes regulatory barriers, letting institutions decide whether to accelerate these students' paths to licensure or clinical work. It directly affects graduate students pursuing mental health provider roles and aims to increase the immediate availability of licensed professionals. The policy change is limited to the specified academic years and applies only to institutions choosing to implement it.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 895 automatically deactivates advisory or temporary government bodies (like committees or task forces) if they fail to hold a meeting with a required number of members present at least once every year. The Secretary of State must annually review meeting records to identify inactive bodies, terminating all member appointments and prohibiting these bodies from using state employees or resources. This applies only to bodies created by law for advisory or temporary purposes, streamlining government operations by eliminating dormant entities. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.