Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 572, the Caregiver's Assistance Act, provides a refundable tax credit to residents caring for eligible seniors. It allows qualifying caregivers earning under $100,000 (or $50,000 if filing separately) to claim a credit equal to 22.5% of up to $3,000 in annual care expenses - capped at $675 per year - covering services like home health care, adult day care, and home modifications. The credit applies to seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability benefits) who meet income thresholds, and it is refundable, meaning caregivers can receive cash back if the credit reduces their tax liability to zero. Multiple caregivers sharing responsibility for the same senior must split the credit equally unless they agree otherwise in writing.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 537, "The Smarter Lunchroom Act," requires New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to adopt simple, low-cost strategies from The Smarter Lunchroom Movement to promote healthier student meal choices. It directs the Commissioner of Education to support schools in implementing specific changes, such as placing fruits near cash registers, using creative names for vegetables, and positioning nutritious foods first in serving lines. The bill also mandates that the Department of Education provide clear, plain-language online resources about these strategies, including a self-assessment tool. This directly affects over 1.37 million students in New Jersey schools, where nearly 25% of children aged 10-17 are overweight or obese, aiming to improve cafeteria habits through evidence-based design.
Maddy summarySJR 25 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the role of service dogs in supporting veterans, noting that 29% of veterans from recent conflicts may experience PTSD and 28% may experience TBI. It does not create new funding or policy changes but encourages the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and urges public observance. This commemorative resolution directly affects veterans using service dogs and the nonprofit organizations that train them, such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies rules for food and service stands (like cafes or newsstands) in New Jersey public buildings. Currently operated by blind individuals under the Commission for the Blind, stands become available to new operators when vacant: after 3 months to disabled person-owned businesses (at least 51% disabled-owned), after 6 months to veteran-owned businesses (at least 51% veteran-owned), and after 9 months to any business. No fees or charges are required for disabled or veteran businesses operating these stands. If a non-blind operator stops, the stand reverts to the Commission for blind operation.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's distillery licensing rules to allow craft distilleries to ship alcohol directly to consumers. It would authorize holders of Class A distillery licenses (currently limited to brewing and selling through wholesalers) to ship products directly to consumers within the state, expanding their sales options beyond current restrictions. The key change removes barriers preventing direct shipping, which currently requires products to be sold through licensed wholesalers or on-premise retail. This primarily affects small, craft distilleries seeking to sell directly to customers, potentially increasing their market reach and revenue streams. The bill is currently in the introduction phase, having been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's colleges and universities to create written policies governing the use of campus grounds and facilities for camping. It mandates that any individual or group seeking to camp must first get approval from the institution. The bill defines "camping" broadly to include pitching tents, using sleeping bags overnight, or occupying motor homes, campers, or makeshift shelters. This policy would directly affect students, organizers, and others seeking to camp on campus grounds.
Maddy summaryS 592 creates a dedicated "New Jersey Wine Promotion Account" within the Department of Agriculture to fund marketing and research for the state's wine industry. It directs two specific revenue streams into this account: $0.47 per gallon from wine sales by wineries (both plenary and farm) and the sales tax collected on retail sales of locally produced wine (excluding sales in restaurants that primarily serve meals). These funds will support promotion, research, and development of New Jersey wine, as guided by the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council. The bill directly affects New Jersey wineries and the state's wine industry by establishing a dedicated, ongoing funding mechanism for marketing and product development.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures pediatric NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries transitioning from the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program to the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program automatically retain their previous weekly private duty nursing hours and can carry forward unused hours. It requires managed care organizations to justify any reduction in nursing hours solely based on changed medical need (not other factors) and mandates that benefits continue during appeals for 30 days after an adverse decision. The bill also directs the state to review past transitions (within 5 years) to identify beneficiaries eligible for increased nursing hours and expands appeal protections by extending the appeal window from 10 to 30 days. These changes aim to prevent coverage gaps and streamline access to necessary nursing services during program transitions.
Maddy summaryS 558 creates a New Jersey program that reimburses advanced practice nurses for part of their tuition costs if they provide home health care services in the state. Eligible nurses must be NJ residents, certified by the state board, and agree to work full-time in home health care for 1-4 years in exchange for reimbursement. The program covers 25% of the nurse's lowest tuition year per year of service, with a maximum total reimbursement of 100% of that lowest year's tuition. To qualify, applicants must apply within one year of certification and cannot participate in other similar loan repayment programs simultaneously.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all individuals horseback riding on New Jersey state-owned lands to wear ASTM-compliant protective headgear with proper certification (such as a Safety Equipment Institute tag). It mandates that headgear meet equestrian safety standards, with violators facing fines of up to $50 for a first offense and $200 for repeat violations. All collected fines must be deposited into the New Jersey Brain Injury Research Fund to support grants for brain injury research at approved institutions. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection to install clear signs at all equestrian land entrances advising of the headgear requirement.