Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryS 1055 requires government agencies awarding public construction contracts over $1 million to set aside 0.5% of the contract funds for outreach and training programs. The funds support minority group members and women in construction trades, including apprenticeships, supportive services, and training for management roles. Programs must partner with community groups, labor organizations, and educational institutions to facilitate entry and long-term employment. Annual reports will track program outcomes, including workforce participation and employment results, for public transparency. (Introduced in 2026; focuses on concrete policy changes, not outcomes.)

Maddy summaryS 1066 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes. The campaign will provide accessible information through a state website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote shared decision-making during childbirth, and share resources about breastfeeding, pregnancy discrimination rights, family leave options, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. It specifically directs healthcare providers to document patient birth plans in medical records and encourages the use of high-value care options like midwives and lactation support. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to maternity care information for all women and children across racial and ethnic backgrounds. The campaign must coordinate with existing efforts to avoid duplication.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1624) removes a requirement that New Jersey veterans must have served in active duty or federal active duty to qualify for a $6,000 tax exemption. 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 the exemption. The key change eliminates the language requiring "active duty status" or "federal active duty status" from the tax code, allowing all eligible honorably discharged veterans to claim the exemption regardless of their service status. The bill does not change the exemption amount or eligibility criteria beyond removing the active duty requirement. It is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mortgage lenders in New Jersey from refusing loans or imposing worse terms based on a person's "familial status," which includes being a parent (natural, adoptive, or resource family), having custody of a child, or being pregnant. It directly affects mortgage applicants with these family situations and the lenders who serve them. Key provisions allow affected individuals to sue for damages and legal fees, while the Banking Commissioner can investigate violations and impose $10,000 fines per offense. The law aims to prevent discrimination in home loans related to family structure or parenting status.

Maddy summarySJR 22 designates September 14 of each year as "Latino Business Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness of Latino-owned businesses' economic contributions. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging state officials and citizens to observe the day with activities highlighting these businesses. This is a symbolic recognition effort, not a policy with direct economic changes or funding, as it focuses solely on awareness through an annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey employers with a temporary tax credit of 50% (up to $50,000 per year) against corporation business and gross income taxes for costs spent building, renovating, or improving real property used to operate on-site child care centers. The credit directly affects businesses that construct or maintain facilities primarily serving the children of their own employees. To qualify, employers must commit to operating the child care center for 60 consecutive months and enter a binding agreement with the state director to verify expenses and maintain compliance. The credit is available for three calendar years following the bill's effective date and requires documentation to prevent misuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires short-term farm labor housing - defined as temporary housing for seasonal agricultural workers for up to three months - to include fire safety measures like fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and proper exit routes. It directly affects farm labor camps providing housing to seasonal workers under New Jersey's existing labor camp definition. The bill mandates that such housing automatically complies with the State Uniform Construction Code if these fire safety provisions are met. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must update construction rules within six months of the bill's enactment to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans surgical declawing (onychectomy) of cats and other animals unless a licensed veterinarian determines it is medically necessary for the animal's health, such as treating an infection or injury. It directly affects veterinarians who perform procedures, pet owners who seek declawing, and animal care facilities. Veterinarians must document medically necessary cases in writing, file a report with the Department of Health, and provide a copy to the pet owner. Violating the ban is a disorderly persons offense, while failure to document a necessary procedure could lead to disciplinary action against the veterinarian.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Medicaid payment rates for specific behavioral health services provided to adults in New Jersey. It raises reimbursement rates for in-person partial care (20+ hours/week) and intensive outpatient services (9+ hours/week) by 35%, covering costs like counseling, psychiatric evaluations, and medical services. It also sets a minimum $10 reimbursement per one-way trip for transportation to these providers. The changes apply to adult Medicaid beneficiaries (21+) with severe mental illness or substance use disorders receiving these services, effective after the bill's enactment.