Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryS 854 allows dogs, including emotional support dogs, to temporarily visit residents at New Jersey's State veterans' residential facilities (like veterans' homes and Veterans Havens). Family members of residents and approved groups (animal shelters, nonprofits, veterans' organizations) may bring dogs for visits, provided they follow specific rules: dogs must be leashed indoors, have current vaccinations (except service dogs), and be under handler control. Facilities must consider residents' health needs, can deny access for safety risks (like uncontrolled dogs or health hazards), and aren't responsible for dog care during visits. This bill does not permit permanent dog stays or overnight access.

Maddy summaryS 4247, the "NJ Veterans to Local Government Employment Act," requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to create a centralized website with resources for veterans seeking public employment, including civil service preference forms, job listings, and transition guides. It also mandates that DMVA provide paper copies of these materials at Veteran Service Offices and outreach events. Additionally, the Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) must maintain a public online list of non-civil service county and municipal job openings, including any veteran hiring preferences for those positions. This bill directly affects veterans navigating public employment opportunities across federal, state, county, and municipal government roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill would reorganize New Jersey's State Police by establishing it as a principal department within the state's executive branch, rather than as a division within the Department of Law and Public Safety. Currently, the Division of State Police operates under the Attorney General's Department, but this bill would transfer it to become the Department of State Police with the Superintendent of State Police as its head. The bill also designates the Superintendent as the State Director of Emergency Management and clarifies that personnel decisions within the department would require only the Superintendent's approval, not the Attorney General's. This reorganization would change the administrative structure of the State Police and its relationship to other state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Veterans Care Commission within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to study issues affecting active-duty service members, Reserve components, and NJ National Guard members returning to civilian life. The 11-member commission includes state agency heads, the Adjutant General, and five public members (with at least three representing qualified veterans' organizations) who will hold public hearings and analyze military service impacts on health and well-being. The commission must issue annual reports with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of forming, including potential legislative solutions to address identified challenges. The bill directly affects New Jersey veterans and their families by creating a structured process to identify and address their post-service needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows 12th-grade students in New Jersey public schools to receive excused absences for military enlistment activities without affecting their attendance records. It specifically covers required steps like testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting for those enlisting in the U.S. military or National Guard. Schools cannot count these absences toward perfect attendance records or list them on transcripts, applications, or employment forms. Students must provide documentation to verify their military enlistment plans to school officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state and certain local government employees to work on Good Friday in exchange for taking time off on another pre-approved religious holiday during the same calendar year. It directs the Civil Service Commission to create a list of acceptable holidays based on the Commissioner of Education's existing list of observable religious holidays. Employees must notify their employer by January 1 to use the alternate leave, and school employees are explicitly excluded from this program. The policy applies to all state government workers, with rules to be established by the Civil Service Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Treasury to award a single contract for non-commercial radio and TV public service announcements (like health, safety, and education campaigns) to a non-profit broadcaster association, without requiring public bidding. It applies to all state agencies needing to air these announcements. The contract must cover services promoting public health, safety, education, or community awareness programs. The Treasury Division must determine this approach serves the state's best interest, considering price and other factors.

Maddy summaryS 4514 allows New Jersey county clerks to require businesses employing 10 or more people to submit certain documents electronically to their offices, rather than in paper form. The bill gives county clerks authority to determine the specific format and method for electronic submissions. This applies to documents submitted to county clerk offices by qualifying businesses and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The policy change directly affects medium and large businesses that interact with county clerk offices for document filings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded telephone support program for New Jersey seniors. It requires the Division of Aging Services to create a chat-line connecting adults aged 60+ (or their family/guardians) with matched volunteers for weekly phone calls. Seniors register with personal details and interests, while volunteers (18+) provide similar information to enable matching based on shared hobbies and location. The program mandates strict confidentiality for all participant information and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how $1.5 million in state funding for community security initiatives is distributed under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. It specifically redirects the funds from the incorrect designation "Jewish Federation of New Jersey" to the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, which will distribute the money equally to all Jewish Federations statewide. The funds will cover costs for security initiatives like safety planning and equipment at Jewish community centers. The bill corrects an administrative error in the current appropriations act without altering the funding amount or security program scope.