Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Minority and Women-Owned Businesses State Contractor Remedies Act" to address ongoing disparities in state contracting. It requires New Jersey state agencies and prime contractors to make a "good faith effort" to increase participation by minority and women-owned businesses, specifically Black, Asian, and Hispanic American-owned businesses and women-owned businesses, based on a 2024 state disparity study showing persistent statistical gaps in contract awards. The law defines key terms like "Black American-owned business" and "Asian American-owned business" with specific ownership criteria (51% ownership by the group) and directs the Department of the Treasury's Chief Diversity Officer to oversee implementation. It does not set fixed percentage goals but mandates evidence of good-faith efforts to meet the needs identified in the disparity study.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1071) amends New Jersey law to allow charter schools to limit admissions to students based on four specific categories: single gender, students at-risk of academic failure, students with disabilities, or English language learners. It directly affects charter schools in New Jersey by expanding their permitted admission criteria beyond current limits (which only allowed grade-level or academic concentration limits). The key mechanism updates Section 7 of P.L.1995, c.426 to explicitly include these categories, requiring schools to outline such criteria in their charter. The bill does not change existing prohibitions against discrimination based on other factors like disability or language proficiency.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1885) reduces the residency requirement for military children seeking membership on New Jersey’s Legislative Youth Council from 15 years to six consecutive months. It directly affects children of active-duty U.S. military service members (defined as children related by blood, marriage, or adoption to a full-time service member). The change applies specifically to the 40 public-member positions on the council, which require members to be between 15-23 years old and reflect district diversity. The bill amends existing law to make this exception while maintaining other membership criteria.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ Transit to expand its Access Link paratransit service to cover all U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities in New Jersey. It mandates that Access Link service be available within a 1.5-mile radius around each facility and along a 1.5-mile-wide corridor connecting each facility to the nearest NJ Transit bus route or light rail station, regardless of whether these locations fall within the current service area. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to cover implementation costs and prohibits NJ Transit from entering new contracts for Access Link service unless they comply with these expanded requirements. This change directly affects veterans using these health facilities who rely on paratransit for medical appointments.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 33) urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish an inpatient hospital facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. It directly affects approximately 119,200 veterans living in southern New Jersey counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem), who currently must travel long distances for inpatient care. The resolution highlights that the nearest VA inpatient facility is over two hours away for many, while the proposed location at the existing military base would shorten travel times and leverage current veteran services. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests the VA take this action.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for New Jersey disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability impairing their ability to walk. Eligible veterans (certified by the VA and verified by a licensed physician) must pay a $15 fee and display the plate to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing separate disability placards. The plates, marked "Disabled Veteran" and featuring a wheelchair symbol, are non-transferable and require valid display while parked. Misuse of the plate can result in revocation of the plate and associated privileges.
Maddy summarySJR 13 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 71st anniversary of the Korean War armistice (July 27, 1953), specifically acknowledging the sacrifices of New Jersey residents who served. It directs the Adjutant General to distribute copies to New Jersey Korean War veteran associations. The bill does not create new laws or affect policy; it solely serves as a ceremonial recognition of the armistice and the state's veterans' service. This resolution is procedural and non-binding.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey mortgage lenders to provide a disclosure form with each loan application, informing veterans seeking housing loans under the G.I. Bill (Servicemen's Readjustment Act) that counseling services are available. It mandates the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to refer eligible veterans to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) for free mortgage counseling. The counseling must review loan terms, provide G.I. Bill-specific guidance, and include any federally required information. It directly affects veterans in New Jersey applying for G.I. Bill-backed home loans and applies to all residential mortgage lenders originating such loans in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides $3 million in extra funding from the state General Fund to give one-time bonuses to specific frontline state workers. It directly affects employees represented by Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible employees as a bonus award, based on consultation between the budget director and the union president. The legislation specifies that only workers who provided emergency frontline service during the pandemic qualify for these bonuses.
Maddy summaryS 1057 requires all New Jersey state agencies (including departments, boards, and public authorities) to prominently display a clear link on their official websites to programs, services, or resources intended exclusively or primarily for women. This applies to any agency-provided offerings meeting that criteria, such as health services or support programs. The bill mandates this change to improve public access to women-focused resources, without altering the programs themselves or creating new benefits.