Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey employers with tax credits for hiring and accommodating employees with disabilities. It offers three specific credits: (1) a wage credit of up to $1,800 in the first year (30% of first $6,000 in wages) and $1,200 in the second year (20% of first $6,000), (2) a transportation credit of up to $600 per employee for work-related travel, and (3) an accommodation credit matching federal accessibility spending (10% of costs over $250, capped at $10,250) for eligible small businesses. Employers must verify eligibility through a certification from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which defines "qualified employee with a disability" per the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The credits apply to insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, with unused credits carryable for seven years.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new offense for adults who harass, intimidate, or bully minors based on protected characteristics like race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. It defines the offense as any gesture, written, verbal, physical act, or electronic communication intended to cause physical or emotional harm or fear. For juveniles charged with this offense, the bill establishes a presumption of diversion to restorative programs instead of court processing, requiring participation in remedial education programs that cover legal consequences, non-legal impacts, and long-term effects of bullying behavior. The bill sets fines of up to $100 for a first offense and $250 for subsequent offenses for both adults and juveniles. This affects adults who bully minors, juveniles charged with bullying, and the juvenile justice system in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 3119 would remove a requirement that counties and municipalities set aside 5% of a bond's value as a down payment before approving bond ordinances for local projects. Currently, this down payment must be funded from existing budgets or other sources, which can limit available funds for other community needs. The bill amends state law to eliminate this requirement entirely for all bond ordinances, freeing up cash that could be used for infrastructure, services, or other priorities. This change directly affects local governments issuing bonds, making the process more flexible without altering other bond funding rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification program for municipal zoning officers and land use board administrators in New Jersey. Starting two years after the law takes effect, individuals must hold a state-issued certificate to be appointed or continue in these roles. To obtain certification, applicants must complete specific education (at least two years of college or equivalent experience), pass a course of study covering zoning laws and procedures (40 hours for zoning officers, 30 hours for land use board administrators), and pass a state examination. Certificates are valid for three years and require continuing education for renewal. The program aims to professionalize these roles by setting minimum qualifications for individuals who review development applications and enforce zoning regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed adult day health care facilities in New Jersey to create a hybrid service model that provides remote care when in-person services aren't possible. It applies when a patient is hospitalized, ill, or injured; when a caregiver faces issues; or to prevent disease spread. Facilities must deliver services via telehealth (like phone or video calls), covering clinical assessments, nursing, therapy, and other care types, while documenting them in the patient's plan. Facilities will receive the same reimbursement rate for remote services as in-person care, ensuring no financial penalty for using this model.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities that provide child care services to students and accept vouchers from the New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK) Program from charging student-parents more than the voucher amount. It directly affects student-parents enrolled at participating institutions who receive a NJCK voucher for child care. The key provision requires institutions to cover the full cost of child care using the voucher, so student-parents do not pay any additional fees beyond the voucher value. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3111 creates a tax credit program for developers building affordable housing projects in "distressed neighborhoods" across New Jersey. To qualify, projects must include at least 20% of units reserved for low-to-moderate income housing and 20% reserved for workforce housing. The program is capped at $600 million in total tax credits and applies to projects in neighborhoods within distressed municipalities, defined as areas where median family income does not exceed 80% of statewide or metropolitan median income. Developers must apply through the same process as for the Economic Redevelopment Growth Program.
Maddy summaryS 3108 would align the threshold amounts for local pay-to-play laws and prevailing wage requirements with the bid threshold amounts established under New Jersey's Local Public Contracts Law (LPCL). Currently, pay-to-play laws apply to contracts over $17,500, while LPCL thresholds can be as high as $44,000 for units with a qualified purchasing agent. The bill would change this so that both requirements apply only to contracts exceeding the same threshold amount as the LPCL. This change would primarily affect local businesses contracting with counties and municipalities, reducing the number of contracts subject to these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill coordinates threshold amounts for "pay-to-play" restrictions and prevailing wage requirements with existing public contract bid thresholds used by local governments. It affects counties, municipalities, county colleges, and school boards by setting the same dollar amount for when political contribution restrictions apply and when prevailing wage rates must be paid. For example, the threshold for political contributions during contract award will match the local public contract bid threshold, which can be up to $40,000 for contracting units with a Qualified Purchasing Agent. The bill ensures consistency across related laws without changing the underlying requirements, making it simpler for public entities to comply with these regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" to study how limited legal representation affects people in domestic violence cases. The task force, composed of 16 members including victims, attorneys, judges, and legal experts, will examine barriers to legal help for both survivors seeking protection and defendants facing allegations. It must submit a report within 18 months with specific recommendations, such as expanding legal aid access, updating rules to allow law students to provide more pro bono help, and encouraging greater volunteer legal services. The task force's work aims to address gaps in legal support for vulnerable individuals navigating domestic violence court proceedings.