Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1409) lowers the requirement for state agencies to designate a contract as a "disabled veterans' business set-aside" from three to two qualified disabled veterans' businesses. It directly affects state contracting agencies and disabled veterans' businesses by making it easier to set aside contracts for these businesses. The key change amends Section 4 of the existing "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans’ Businesses" (P.L.2015, c.116) to update the threshold to align with federal standards and neighboring states. This adjustment aims to address challenges in finding sufficient qualified businesses for set-asides in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 121 restructures funding for New Jersey's Basic Skills Training Program by adjusting how money from the "Supplemental Workforce Fund" is allocated. It directs 24% to One Stop Career Centers for training displaced/disadvantaged workers, 28% to Workforce Investment Boards for vocational rehabilitation, and 25% (split 12.5% each for standard training and apprenticeship pilot programs) to employer consortia. The bill also mandates a minimum $3 million allocation to community colleges for basic skills training, requires employers to pay regular wages during training, and adds reporting requirements for training providers and employers. This affects workers seeking job skills, community colleges, employer groups, and workforce development agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most businesses (including nonprofits and corporations, but excluding government agencies) to establish and annually report a valid email address to New Jersey's Division of Revenue. The Division must share these email addresses with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for official communications. All electronic notices sent via email will be in addition to, not replacing, existing paper or other communication requirements under current law. Businesses failing to comply face annual civil penalties of up to $250.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for New Jersey public high school students to take the statewide graduation proficiency test during 11th grade. It directly affects all 11th-grade students in New Jersey public schools by removing this specific testing mandate. The key provision removes the grade-level requirement from the law, though students must still meet proficiency standards through other approved assessments or methods to graduate. The bill does not eliminate the overall proficiency requirement but changes when the assessment must be administered. This update aligns with recent policy shifts that allow flexibility in how proficiency is demonstrated.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how traffic fine revenue is distributed in specific New Jersey municipalities. It directs 25% of fines collected by State Police for motor vehicle violations in municipalities with at least four limited-access highways (like interstates) to go directly to those local governments. The funds must be used for general municipal purposes and covering municipal court operating costs. The remaining 75% of these fines continues to go to the State General Fund, as with other traffic violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies (including departments, boards, and public authorities) to prominently display a clear link on their main website page to programs, services, benefits, or resources specifically for women. It applies only to offerings "intended exclusively or primarily for women," such as health services or support programs. Agencies must ensure the link is easily identifiable to help women access these targeted resources. The requirement takes effect five months after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryS 145 establishes a temporary pilot program to create "remote learning safe havens" in five specific New Jersey school districts (Camden, Newark, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton). These safe havens - located in state/federal buildings or nonprofits - provide supervised spaces for students eligible for free/reduced lunch to access online learning during the pandemic, with required broadband internet and staffed by licensed personnel. The state will fund facility setup, staffing, and broadband costs, while districts must ensure compliance with health guidelines and avoid using havens for in-person instruction. The program expires after the 2020 public health emergency ends, with a report due to lawmakers on whether to expand it.

Maddy summaryS 124 creates a program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) that offers low-interest loans to developers building or renovating qualifying high-performance green buildings. It directly affects commercial, industrial, or mixed-use developers constructing projects of at least 15,000 square feet that achieve specific green building certifications, such as LEED Silver, Green Globes two globes, or equivalent standards. The bill establishes clear rating requirements for "high performance green buildings" and directs the NJEDA to administer the loan program after adopting necessary rules. This policy change provides a new financing tool to incentivize sustainable building practices in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryS 138 requires a pest inspection before demolishing a building if another structure is located within 10 feet on a different property. A health officer or certified pesticide applicator must inspect for pests (rats, mice, roaches, or other designated pests) and certify there is no "severe pest presence" that could spread to nearby buildings. If pests are found, they must be exterminated before certification is issued. The certification must be filed with the construction official before a demolition permit is granted, with costs borne by the applicant. This applies only to demolitions affecting closely-situated buildings, not to single structures or cases of immediate structural danger.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 62) allows restaurants to seat patrons under temporary outdoor coverings (like tents or awnings) during the pandemic, provided the cover is anchored and has at least two sides for exit routes. It specifically exempts restaurants from standard snow-load certification requirements if the cover has less than two inches of snow, or if certified to handle snow weight. The bill directly affects restaurants, cafeterias, and food courts seeking to expand outdoor seating safely. It takes effect immediately and expires when pandemic emergency orders end.