Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey employers who hire "qualified veterans" (NJ residents honorably discharged since 1965 with proof of service). Employers receive a 10% credit on qualified wages paid to these veterans, capped at $1,200 per veteran annually, for wages earned during sustained employment (at least 185 business days). To qualify, employers must hire 25% new veterans (or 50% retention from prior year), offer workplace veteran support services, and conduct targeted recruitment. The credit applies only to wages paid between 2020-2024 and cannot be combined with other state employment tax credits or grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act," directly affects families of volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and rescue squad workers who die while on duty. It doubles annual survivor pensions (from $15,000 to $30,000 for widows, $10,000 to $20,000 for children, and $5,000 to $10,000 for parents), increases the maximum group life insurance coverage a municipality can pay for from $25,000 to $250,000, and requires municipalities to cover reasonable funeral costs not paid by fire associations. Municipalities can fund these benefits by adding a surcharge to fire code inspection fees. The bill takes effect immediately and amends existing laws to implement these changes.

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting efforts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. It specifically addresses modern manifestations like blaming Jewish people for global issues, spreading harmful stereotypes, and targeting Jewish institutions. The resolution references rising anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey (including 370 reported in 2021) and affirms that such hatred violates constitutional values of tolerance and religious freedom. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force but serves as a formal statement of legislative stance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate Bill S 896, the "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act," requires all public and private colleges and universities in the state to implement comprehensive mental health programs. The bill mandates annual student orientation sessions on mental health, online screening tools for depression/anxiety by 2027, peer support programs using recovery-model best practices, and mandatory Mental Health First Aid training for advisors and campus security staff. Institutions must also form partnerships with community providers to meet a benchmark of one clinical staff member per 1,250 students, while expanding access to on-campus and off-campus services. This law directly affects students seeking mental health support and institutions responsible for implementing these new requirements.

Maddy summaryS 1203 allows New Jersey county election boards to open inner envelopes containing mail-in ballots up to five days before an election, clarifying a current practice. It also requires that voters with ballots rejected due to signature issues receive a "cure letter" within 24 hours, explaining how to correct the problem by providing identification details (like a driver's license number or last four Social Security digits) without signing an affidavit. Voters can submit corrections up to 48 hours before election results are certified. This bill does not change the requirement that mail-in ballots must be received by the county board by the day before the election.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1279) amends New Jersey law to allow limited brewery license holders to coordinate with third-party food vendors (like food trucks or restaurants) to provide food on their licensed premises, removing a prior prohibition. It directly affects breweries operating under a limited brewery license (which produce up to 300,000 barrels annually), enabling them to partner with outside food providers instead of operating their own restaurants. The key provision modifies Section 33:1-10 of the law to explicitly permit this coordination while maintaining existing licensing fees and production limits. This change aims to support breweries by expanding their food service options without altering core manufacturing or sales rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pharmacies in New Jersey from charging extra fees for processing prescriptions sent by phone or electronically, unless they also charge the same fee for written prescriptions. It directly affects pharmacies and patients who use electronic or phone-based prescription services. The key provision requires pharmacies to treat electronic and written prescriptions equally regarding processing fees, aiming to remove financial barriers to adopting digital prescription methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a standardized design for roadway signs marking historic districts or sites. The signs must include a clear historic symbol (like a flag or icon) showing the relevant time period, event, or war, and follow federal traffic device standards. State agencies replacing existing signs for historic areas must use this new design, ensuring consistency and clearer historical context for travelers. The bill affects how state entities maintain and update these signs, focusing on visual clarity rather than changing historic protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the portion of wine sales tax dedicated to New Jersey's wine promotion program. It raises the per-gallon tax rate from $0.47 to $0.875 (100% of the tax) for wines, vermouth, and sparkling wines sold by New Jersey wineries. The additional funds will be deposited into the "New Jersey Wine Promotion Account" within the Department of Agriculture. These funds will support research, development, and promotion of New Jersey wine, as directed by existing law and the Wine Industry Advisory Council. The change applies only to wines produced by New Jersey wineries under state license.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1264) requires New Jersey public schools to add internet safety and online predator dangers to existing sexual abuse and assault awareness education for students in preschool through 12th grade. It amends current law (P.L.2019, c.185) to mandate that school districts include these topics as part of their health and physical education curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must consult with organizations like the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking to develop age-appropriate teaching materials. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and their K-12 students. It becomes effective 30 days after enactment.