Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1582) removes a requirement that New Jersey veterans must have served in active duty or federal active duty status to qualify for a $6,000 tax exemption on gross income. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components, or New Jersey National Guard who previously needed active duty service to claim this exemption. The key change modifies New Jersey tax code (N.J.S.54A:3-1(b)(7)) to eliminate the active duty language, allowing eligible veterans to claim the exemption regardless of their service status. The policy change takes effect immediately for taxable years beginning after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1885) simplifies New Jersey's definition of "veteran" for benefits eligibility by removing specific historical conflict date and location requirements. It eliminates the need for veterans to have served during exact periods like "World War II, between September 1, 1939 and September 2, 1945" or "Vietnam conflict, on or after December 31, 1960," instead requiring only 90 days of active military service (excluding basic training) with an honorable discharge. This change directly affects veterans whose service dates or locations no longer match current definitions but still meet the general service duration criteria. The bill focuses on streamlining access to benefits, maintaining exceptions for those with service-connected injuries regardless of service duration.

Maddy summaryS 140 (New Jersey Senate Bill) modifies how municipalities meet their affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act. It allows municipalities to count each housing unit occupied by a veteran (with qualifying military service) as 1.5 units toward their fair share requirement, rather than the standard 1 unit. Additionally, it permits municipalities to satisfy up to 35% of their obligation through housing specifically reserved for veterans. This directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to provide affordable housing for low/moderate-income households, providing a new pathway to meet requirements by prioritizing veteran housing. The bill amends Section 7 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-307), effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 131 clarifies jury service exemptions for military members in New Jersey. It adds a specific provision (Section f) to N.J.S.2B:20-10, allowing active-duty military personnel, reserve members, or militia members to be excused if they submit certification of deployment or duty assignment to the court. The bill repeals the outdated N.J.S.38A:4-6, which previously provided military exemptions but lacked a verification process. This change creates a clear, standardized method for military members to request excusal without requiring courts to independently verify service status. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents serving in the military who are summoned for jury duty during active assignments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a four-year pilot program for up to 15 New Jersey school districts to create confidential student mental health assistance programs for grades K-12. Participating districts must develop programs that identify students facing mental health challenges (including those related to family, school, or substance use), provide voluntary counseling and referrals, and connect students to community resources. Each district must appoint trained student assistance counselors to deliver services, offer mental health education, and build community partnerships. After the pilot, districts will report on program participation and outcomes, with the Commissioner of Education submitting a report to the Governor and Legislature to recommend whether to expand the program statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Mary's Law" (S 100), requires New Jersey's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide direct payments to sellers (not families) for specialized, modified motor vehicles needed by children with catastrophic illnesses. It specifically adds these vehicle purchases and necessary modifications to the list of eligible expenses covered by the fund, shifting from current reimbursement practices to direct payments within 30 days of approval. The bill also increases the fund's annual funding surcharge from $1.50 to $3 per employee paid by employers under the state's unemployment compensation law. This change aims to help families who cannot afford upfront vehicle costs for their children's medical needs.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 48) urges the U.S. Congress and President to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act's shipping restrictions. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports by water to use U.S.-flagged vessels built, owned, and crewed by U.S. citizens, which increases shipping costs for island territories. Puerto Rico, as an unincorporated U.S. territory, faces higher prices for imported goods due to these restrictions, and the resolution argues permanent exemption would reduce costs for residents and aid recovery from Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico’s pre-existing financial crisis. The exemption would apply to most goods but exclude items needed for national defense. Note: This is a non-binding request, not a law.

Maddy summaryS 98 requires at least one family member of a resident to serve on each board managing New Jersey institutions for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities. The bill amends state law to mandate that this family member fills the first vacancy on the board if no family member is already serving. This provision directly affects the governance of these specific state-run institutions by ensuring resident families have a direct voice on decision-making boards. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1966) requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover specific medically necessary infertility treatments, directly affecting insurers and patients seeking fertility care. It mandates coverage for services like IVF, genetic testing, medications, and diagnostic procedures as defined by medical guidelines, while limiting IVF coverage to cases where less expensive treatments have failed, capping egg retrievals at four per person, and requiring coverage for those who've reversed sterilization. Religious employers may opt out of covering certain procedures (like IVF) if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must disclose this in writing. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create two dedicated websites: one in English and one in Spanish, to help residents enroll in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. The English site will list health centers and agencies that assist with enrollment, including the languages they speak, while the Spanish site will mirror this content with a Spanish domain name for easier access. A bilingual public awareness campaign will promote both websites. The bill directly affects Spanish-speaking residents and underserved communities by improving access to health care enrollment resources.