Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1823) clarifies and updates requirements for two key parts of New Jersey municipalities' master plans: the land use plan and housing plan. It mandates that land use plans adopted after specific dates must include climate change hazard vulnerability assessments (analyzing risks like flooding and sea-level rise) and address electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The housing plan element must now evaluate existing housing stock, project future needs for 10 years, and explicitly consider affordable housing availability. These changes directly affect all New Jersey municipalities required to maintain master plans, ensuring their planning processes address climate resilience and modern infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryS 1828 adjusts New Jersey's Secure Choice Savings Program by lowering the employee threshold for employer participation. Previously, employers with fewer than 25 employees were exempt, but this bill removes that exemption, requiring all employers with at least one employee in New Jersey to offer the program if they don't provide a retirement plan. The bill directly affects small businesses (previously exempt) and requires them to automatically enroll eligible employees into the state-run retirement savings program via payroll deductions. Key mechanisms include eliminating the 25-employee minimum, mandating automatic enrollment (with opt-out options), and allowing employees to set contribution levels up to IRS-deductible limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small New Jersey businesses with fewer than 20 employees to claim tax credits when they pay for their workers' health insurance premiums. Employers get up to $250 per employee for single coverage or $500 for family coverage if they pay 100% of the premium, with proportional credits for partial payments (50-99%). The health plan must meet federal Affordable Care Act standards for essential benefits. Credits cannot exceed the actual premiums paid and expire after the tax year - no carryover to future years. It applies to both corporate business tax and gross income tax credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows bingo halls, raffle organizers, and penny auction venues in New Jersey to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments for tickets or participation. It requires the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to create regulations enabling this change, which is currently not permitted under existing law. The policy directly affects licensed operators of these games and participants who prefer digital payment methods. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, updating payment options for these specific legalized games of chance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system requiring companies that connect workers to consumers (like gig economy platforms) to contribute 15% of each worker's monthly earnings into portable benefits accounts. It directly affects workers who provide services 40+ hours monthly as independent contractors (paid via 1099), excluding unionized workers, real estate agents, and healthcare professionals. These contributions fund worker-selected benefits including workers' compensation, health insurance, paid time off, and retirement options, managed by nonprofit benefit providers. Workers choose which benefits to receive from the available options, and companies must pay contributions monthly within 15 days of service.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Fostering Success Voucher Act (S 1780) provides rental assistance and case management services to young adults aged 18-26 who have been in foster care or kinship care and are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. The bill establishes a voucher program administered by the Department of Community Affairs, offering rental assistance comparable to the state’s existing rental assistance program and requiring participants to engage with approved case management agencies. To qualify, applicants must reside in New Jersey, meet moderate-income guidelines, and voluntarily agree to case management services. The program is funded with a $10 million appropriation from the General Fund, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for committing domestic violence in the presence of a child under 16 years old, specifically when the perpetrator knows the child is present. It applies to individuals committing acts of domestic violence (like assault or harassment) where the child is a parent, guardian, or resource family parent. The law requires a separate conviction and sentence for this new offense alongside the underlying domestic violence charge, rather than merging the two. This change ensures offenders face distinct legal consequences for exposing children to violence, regardless of whether they're convicted of the original domestic violence act. The severity of the new charge depends on the underlying offense (e.g., fourth degree if the original was a minor offense).

Maddy summaryS 1751 requires New Jersey's State Commission to include an annual debt affordability analysis in the State Debt Report, assessing the state's ability to take on additional debt. This analysis must detail specific metrics (like debt service relative to state revenues and debt per capita) and compare these metrics to those of other states. The report will provide the Legislature with a framework to evaluate and prioritize legislation impacting state debt levels. The bill amends existing law to mandate this analysis as part of the annual report, which was not previously required.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1755) expands eligibility for New Jersey's small employer health benefits plans to include volunteer firefighters and emergency responders. It amends the definition of "eligible employee" to specifically cover members of volunteer fire companies, first aid squads, or emergency/rescue teams serving their municipality under state law (N.J.S.40A:10-26 through N.J.S.40A:10-32). This change allows these volunteers - previously excluded - to enroll in their municipality's small employer health plan, which typically covers full-time municipal employees working 25+ hours weekly. The bill does not alter plan benefits or costs; it only adjusts who qualifies as an eligible participant under existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordination and Oversight Council within the Department of Human Services. The council will collect and analyze non-personal data on suicide attempts and completions from all suicide prevention organizations across the state, including details like age, gender, race, method, and mental health history. It will develop standardized reporting requirements for these organizations and provide guidance on best practices for suicide prevention materials and programs. The council will include state agency representatives and appointed members with mental health expertise, including survivors of suicide, to coordinate statewide efforts and improve data-driven prevention strategies.