Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Garden State Corporation" status for manufacturing companies operating primarily in New Jersey. It requires these corporations to have half their board members elected by employees working at NJ facilities, with equal voting rights for all eligible employees. The bill also provides significant tax credits - up to 60% in the first five years - against certain corporate taxes for qualifying companies, with reduced rates over nine years. These incentives apply whether the corporation is also certified as a benefit corporation. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryS 54 requires plaintiffs to submit an affidavit of merit in malpractice lawsuits against enrolled agents (federal tax professionals licensed by the IRS) in New Jersey. This bill adds enrolled agents to the list of professionals already covered by New Jersey's existing requirement for such affidavits. The affidavit, signed by another qualified professional, must certify that the defendant's actions likely fell below acceptable standards. The rule applies to lawsuits filed 30 days after enactment, with failure to provide the affidavit resulting in dismissal - consistent with current rules for other professionals like doctors and attorneys.

Maddy summaryS 77, "Linnette Lebron's Law," modifies New Jersey's marriage and civil union licensing rules to allow terminally ill individuals to marry more quickly. The bill requires a treating physician's certification of terminal illness to waive the standard 72-hour waiting period for obtaining a marriage or civil union license. It also mandates that if one party is terminally ill, their legal representative (attorney-in-fact) must apply for the license alongside the other party. This change directly affects terminally ill residents seeking to formalize their relationship without delay.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million microloan program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support businesses in designated Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZs) or UEZ-impacted districts (economically distressed areas affected by adjacent zones). Qualified businesses must create at least five full-time jobs (50% residents of the zone/district), operate in the zone, and lack sufficient capital for operations. Loans offer low interest (0% for veteran-owned businesses, up to 3% otherwise) with flexible terms, including potential partial forgiveness if the business fails after a good-faith effort. Funds will come from a $5 million state appropriation into a non-lapsing revolving loan fund, replenished by repayments.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's licensing rules for money transmitters (companies handling payments like wire transfers, money orders, or digital payments). It directly affects businesses operating in the state that transmit money for a fee, requiring them to maintain detailed records for five years instead of three, including transaction dates, amounts, and settlement sheets from authorized delegates. The bill also strengthens consumer protections and clarifies definitions for terms like "licensee" and "authorized delegate" to improve oversight. These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the money transmission industry without altering core business operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 798, provides free admission to New Jersey state parks, forests, and certain historic sites for veterans on five designated days each year: Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. It applies to veterans who were honorably discharged from U.S. military service (including WWII Merchant Marines eligible for federal benefits) and requires them to show proof of service. The bill covers state-owned parks/forests, historic properties preserved using state funds (like Green Acres bonds), and county/municipal historic sites. It does not apply year-round or to all historic sites, only the specified dates and locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants, bars, and wedding/banquet venues to operate at full indoor capacity during the pandemic if they meet specific health requirements. To qualify, venues must be in a low-risk area (per the state health department), install physical barriers between tables, limit group sizes to 10 people, and follow detailed safety protocols - including mask requirements for staff, contact tracing, enhanced cleaning, and ventilation standards. Venues must certify compliance to their county health board, which has 14 days to approve applications. If virus activity rises above "low," venues must switch to 50% capacity. The bill applies only to indoor dining, not takeout or delivery services.

Maddy summaryS 99 requires all human resources officers in New Jersey public employers (state, county, municipal, school district, and other government entities) to complete a mandatory, free domestic violence training program within 90 days of hire. The training, developed by the Civil Service Commission, covers domestic violence dynamics, protection orders, the "New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment Act," and community resources for victims. Public employers must ensure HR staff complete the training, with the Commission reviewing and updating the curriculum biennially. This policy directly affects HR officers in public workplaces by standardizing how they handle employee reports of domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts in New Jersey to transfer animals confiscated for suspected cruelty to an animal welfare group, rescue organization, or foster shelter on the seventh day after confiscation, if the owner hasn’t reclaimed them. The caretaker must properly house and care for the animal until the court resolves the cruelty case, and shelters cannot offer the animal for adoption or euthanize it for seven days after the case ends. Owners found guilty of cruelty or liable for civil penalties must reimburse the caretaker for all care expenses incurred during the holding period. The bill directly affects animals in custody, courts handling cruelty cases, and animal welfare organizations providing temporary care.

Maddy summaryS 889 creates a grant program to help Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties develop shelters for homeless veterans in southern New Jersey. The program awards state funds to these counties to identify suitable locations and provide property for state-operated shelters, based on applications submitted to the Adjutant General. It directly addresses geographic barriers that isolate homeless veterans from existing resources, particularly during extreme weather. The bill requires counties to propose shelter sites and land, with grants contingent on available funding and legislative appropriations. This policy change aims to expand access to shelter services in regions where homeless veterans face limited mobility to reach existing facilities.