Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing "Bringing Veterans Home" initiative into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans statewide. It requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish six regional housing hubs, use state data to target needs, create a standardized referral system, and classify veterans for assistance. The law mandates coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and existing programs like the Homeless Prevention Act to connect veterans with housing benefits and placements. The initiative, launched in 2024, becomes permanent under this bill, taking effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create a program waiving E-ZPass toll fees for motor vehicles used by certified disabled veteran owned businesses. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned and controlled by disabled veterans (with at least a 10% VA disability rating), have at least $2,500 in revenue, operate in New Jersey, and be certified by the state. Vehicles must be registered in New Jersey, owned or leased by a disabled veteran, and have an active NJ E-ZPass account. The program directly affects disabled veteran business owners who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commissioner of Education to provide school districts with preliminary State aid notices by December 1st each year, detailing the minimum State aid amount for the following school year. It creates a New Jersey Education Funding Portal that will make school funding calculations transparent to districts and the public, allowing them to adjust data inputs like enrollment and property values to estimate impacts on State aid. The bill also allows districts facing potential aid reductions to submit and revise their budgets within the first six months of the budget year. For the 2026-2027 school year, it specifies that Statewide property and income rates will remain the same as in the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryS 1518 establishes requirements for public agencies considering contracting out services previously provided by public employees. The bill mandates competitive bidding for contracts over $500,000 (for local agencies) or $1 million (for state agencies), requiring contractors to maintain current service quality, not increase public fees, and pay wages/benefits at least equal to those of displaced public employees. Agencies must demonstrate cost savings compared to public provision, provide quarterly reports on contractor compliance, and prepare transition plans for displaced workers. The Office of the State Comptroller reviews contracts for compliance, and the State Auditor conducts annual post-audits to verify actual cost savings and service quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4901) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the state's statewide policy for investigating human trafficking. The Attorney General must specifically examine whether recording undercover operations would protect investigation fairness and victims, establish strict rules for sharing any recordings, and ensure county prosecutors are involved early in investigations to address legal issues. It directly affects the Attorney General's office and law enforcement agencies conducting human trafficking cases. The review must address current standards outlined in Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive 2012-2, following a 2024 commission report on trafficking in the massage therapy industry. The policy changes would aim to better protect victims and improve investigation practices.

Maddy summaryS 4899, introduced by Senators Stack and Singleton, amends New Jersey's prostitution laws to increase penalties for certain offenses and create two new crimes: "leader of a prostitution network" and "participant in a prostitution network." The bill upgrades penalties for promoting prostitution involving minors (now a first-degree crime) and for engaging in prostitution with a minor (now a second-degree crime), removing defenses based on mistaken age beliefs. It also clarifies definitions, specifying that "prostitution" includes sexual activity in exchange for economic value and that "promoting prostitution" covers acts like owning a house of prostitution or procuring a prostitute. This law directly affects individuals involved in prostitution as patrons, promoters, or participants in organized networks, particularly those exploiting minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require human trafficking awareness signs at specific businesses and public locations to include Chinese and Korean, in addition to English and Spanish. It directly affects establishments like strip clubs, massage businesses, airports, hotels, hospitals, and transportation hubs that currently must display these signs. The key change is expanding the required languages on the signs, which must be at least 8.5x11 inches with 16-point font. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The update responds to a 2024 report highlighting trafficking concerns in the massage therapy industry.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJR 170) is a symbolic commemoration, not a policy change. It celebrates the 200th anniversary of Timbuctoo, an unincorporated community in Burlington County, New Jersey, established in 1826 by formerly enslaved and free African-Americans. The resolution recognizes Timbuctoo's historical significance as a stop on the Underground Railroad and highlights community efforts like the 1860 "Battle of Pine Swamp" where residents protected freedom seekers. It directs copies to the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail Advisory Committee and local historical groups to honor this legacy.

Maddy summaryS 4878 creates the "New Jersey Workplace Skills Savings Program," allowing eligible New Jersey workers to save for job training and career development. Employees (aged 18+ living in or working in New Jersey, subject to state income tax) can contribute up to $1,000 annually to a personal account, with the state matching each dollar contributed, for a total potential of $2,000 per year. Funds may cover training, license exams, apprenticeships, or retraining costs, and the program is administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development with the Department of the Treasury managing the trust. The bill appropriates $25 million from the state budget to fund the matching contributions and program administration, requiring annual reports on participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the use of regulated PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in menstrual products sold in New Jersey, directly affecting manufacturers of tampons, pads, cups, and related products. It defines regulated PFAS as chemicals intentionally added for functional purposes or present at 10 parts per million or higher, and requires manufacturers to test products using state-approved labs, sharing results with the Department of Environmental Protection and Health. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, with fines up to $20,000 per offense. The ban takes effect 18 months after enactment, allowing for early administrative preparations.