Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local police to notify municipal governing bodies when a sex offender (convicted of a crime against a minor under 18) registers with the state. It prohibits such offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, childcare centers, or playgrounds, unless specific exceptions apply (like existing residences, facilities, or court-approved exemptions). The law aims to enhance public safety by creating buffer zones around child-occupied locations, while requiring municipalities to be informed of new registrations. Exceptions include offenders residing at correctional facilities, those with pre-existing homes, or those granted exemptions by parole boards or courts. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program offering conditional admission to New Jersey public colleges for eligible high school seniors. It directly affects public high school students in grade 12 who are New Jersey residents for at least one year, applying full-time for the first time to a degree program. Admission is based on academic merit, including GPA, course rigor (like AP/IB classes), test scores, and state assessments, with colleges required to offer admission within their capacity. The program requires annual reporting on participant demographics and impact, but does not guarantee admission to specific majors or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities to charge qualifying nonprofit organizations the residential utility rate (not commercial) for services at their primary location if the residential rate is lower. It defines qualifying nonprofits as those meeting IRS 501(c)(3) standards or New Jersey nonprofit corporation rules. Utilities must establish a certification process, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, for nonprofits to prove eligibility for the residential rate. This directly affects nonprofits using utility services and public utilities providing those services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2392) requires New Jersey to replace the wheelchair symbol and the word "handicapped" with a new dynamic character logo and the word "accessible" on all public accessibility signage, placards, license plates, and markers. It applies only to new installations or replacements after the law takes effect (60 days post-enactment), not to existing signage. The new logo must be simple, identifiable, and provide equivalent accessibility to the current symbol. This affects all public facilities - like restrooms, ramps, and parking spaces - using such signage to indicate accessibility features. The change aligns with similar laws in New York and Connecticut and global adoption of the revised symbol.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to cancel classes on election days when a school building serves as a polling place. School boards may instead use the time for staff training or professional development. The law aims to improve student safety by preventing large crowds of voters from entering school grounds during class hours. It takes effect immediately and applies first to the November 2021 general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to partner with county social services boards to help low-income students access essential support programs like food assistance (SNAP), childcare subsidies, and cash aid (TANF). It mandates colleges and social services agencies to collaborate on streamlining application processes, providing direct student assistance, and identifying gaps in meeting basic needs. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to form partnerships connecting unemployed residents with career-focused college programs. These provisions aim to increase enrollment in social services and improve access to educational pathways for low-income students.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2871) requires most health insurance plans sold in New Jersey to cover screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders for people aged 65 or older. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual health insurance policies, group health plans, health benefits plans, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) issued or renewed in the state. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions, without additional cost-sharing, and defines "Alzheimer's and related disorders" as dementia impairing daily functioning. This policy change directly affects seniors enrolled in these insurance plans and aims to improve early detection access.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1360) creates tax credits for residents and employers who pay student loans used for higher education expenses. Qualified taxpayers (New Jersey residents with associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in STEM fields who worked in the state) can claim a credit against their state income tax equal to a portion of their student loan payments, based on a federal benchmark. Employers can also claim a credit for paying employees’ eligible student loans (100% for full-time, 50% for part-time), with unused credits carried forward up to seven years. The bill specifically targets STEM graduates and aims to reduce student debt burden through state tax incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1367) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a mobile application providing veterans and their families with accessible guidance on state and federal benefits and resources. It directly affects veterans, military families, and service members in New Jersey by creating a centralized tool to navigate programs like healthcare, housing, education, and transition support. The key mechanism is mandating the DMVA to create and maintain this app, building on existing requirements to provide public information about veterans' programs. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.292, meaning the mobile app requirement is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts book sales at school book fairs from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools holding book fairs where books are sold exclusively to students and their parents or guardians. The law defines a "school book fair" as events held at these schools with limited sales to the school community. The exemption would take effect four months after the bill is enacted.