Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily traffic threshold from 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day for counties and municipalities to install certain speed humps (specifically flat-top speed tables at least 10 feet long) on local residential streets without needing approval from New Jersey's Transportation Commissioner. It applies to streets with posted speeds of 30 mph or less, including projects within 500 feet of schools or school properties. The change simplifies the process for local governments to implement traffic calming measures on lower-traffic residential streets and school-adjacent areas. Note: The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.231.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's 2021 law (P.L.2021, c.324) that requires child care subsidy payments to licensed centers and family day care providers to be based on the number of enrolled eligible children - not actual attendance - through June 30, 2025. It directly affects child care providers receiving state subsidies by mandating they base staff wages and hours on enrollment numbers, not daily attendance. The law also requires the Division of Family Development to study enrollment-based versus attendance-based payment models and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within three years. This extension ensures stable funding for providers during the study period while maintaining consistent payment structures for eligible child care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that colleges in New Jersey offering childcare services to students cannot charge student-parents more for childcare than the amount covered by their state-issued "New Jersey Cares for Kids" (NJCK) voucher. Specifically, if a student-parent receives a voucher through the NJCK program (which provides childcare assistance to eligible low-income families meeting income guidelines), the college must not bill them for any amount exceeding the voucher's value. The law applies only to institutions that both provide childcare services to students and accept NJCK vouchers. This directly affects student-parents enrolled at participating colleges who rely on the NJCK program for childcare support.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" with "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen" throughout New Jersey state statutes and prohibits executive branch agencies from using the outdated terms. It directly affects all state laws and agency communications that currently reference these terms, including inheritance, estate, and lottery prize assignment provisions. The key mechanism is a straightforward language update to modernize terminology in existing statutes without creating new policies or requirements. The bill focuses solely on terminology, not on changing rights or responsibilities for noncitizens.

Maddy summaryS 1067 (NJ Basic Skills Training Program bill) reallocates funding for workforce development programs rather than increasing reporting requirements, as its title suggests. The bill changes how 100% of the "Supplemental Workforce Fund" is distributed: 24% supports One Stop Career Centers, 28% funds Workforce Investment Boards, 25% (with 12.5% dedicated to apprenticeship pilots) aids employer/educator consortia, $3 million minimum goes to community colleges, and 10% covers administrative costs. It directly affects displaced/disadvantaged workers, employers (requiring them to pay regular wages during training without paperwork), and community colleges delivering basic skills training. Key mechanisms include fixed funding percentages, employer wage requirements during training, and annual reporting by the community college consortium.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2376 provides free admission to state parks, forests, and certain historic sites for veterans on Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. It directly affects veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged from military service, including WWII Merchant Marine members eligible for federal benefits. The bill requires veterans to show proof of service and discharge, and it applies to state-owned parks/forests, historic properties funded by state moneys (like Green Acres bonds), and county/municipal historic sites. This policy change eliminates admission fees for qualifying veterans on these designated days, building on existing exemptions for veterans' organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1102) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - covering hospital services, medical expenses, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitoring systems when prescribed by a healthcare provider for treating glycogen storage disease. It applies to all new or renewed insurance contracts on or after the bill's effective date, mandating coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." The law directly affects patients with glycogen storage disease who rely on these monitoring systems and insurers who must now include this coverage without additional cost-sharing. It does not change existing coverage standards for other conditions but ensures consistent access to this specific treatment tool.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Farm Labor Equality Act" (S 1075), actually revises child labor laws in New Jersey, not farm labor standards. It raises the minimum age for agricultural work from 12 to 14 years after December 31, 2024, and limits minors under 18 to 10 hours per day in agriculture until 2025 (after which they follow standard minor labor rules). It requires minors aged 11-17 to register with the Department of Labor for work authorization, including proof of school status, and sets strict hour limits (e.g., max 40 hours/week for newspaper carriers). The bill directly affects minors under 18 working in agriculture or as newspaper carriers, and their employers.

Maddy summaryS 1069 allows active-duty military members and reservists to be excused from jury duty when deployed or on active duty. It requires them to submit certification of their military status and duty conflict to the court. The bill repeals an outdated law (N.J.S.38A:4-6) that previously exempted military members but lacked a verification process. This change ensures courts can properly confirm military service before granting the exemption. It directly affects military personnel summoned for jury duty during active assignments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to conduct and publicly report a triennial stress test analyzing the state's ability to maintain essential services during economic shifts. The analysis must include projections of tax and federal revenue, comparisons to historical trends, expected changes in spending, accounting of state reserves (like the Surplus Revenue Fund), and recession response options. The report must be posted online and included in the Governor's annual budget message. This applies directly to state budget planning and fiscal transparency, affecting how New Jersey prepares for economic downturns. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.