Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1427) requires New Jersey's State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee to include specific first responder job titles in any primary care medical home program it creates for first responders. It defines "first responders" to include police, fire, emergency medical staff, dispatchers, correctional officers, investigators, and their dependents covered under the state health benefits program. The bill mandates that any such program must provide comprehensive care services like preventive care, behavioral health, pain management, and coordination of specialist/hospital services. This change directly affects eligible first responders and their families enrolled in the state's health benefits plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2294) requires hotel and multiple dwelling owners to provide enhanced written notice to tenants and stricter occupancy limits when a potentially hazardous condition (like structural issues or fire risks) is identified. It directly affects owners of hotels (10+ units or 25+ sleeping rooms) and multiple dwellings (3+ units), mandating clear communication about hazards and restricting occupancy until repairs are made. Key provisions include standardized notice content and temporary occupancy restrictions during hazard remediation, ensuring tenants are informed and safe. The bill amends New Jersey’s Housing Inspection Act (P.L.1967, c.76) to strengthen these protections without changing existing definitions or exemptions.

Maddy summaryS 125 allows developers of distressed shopping centers in New Jersey to claim corporation business tax credits of up to $15,000 annually (capped at 50% of their tax bill) for making qualifying improvements. It targets centers with at least 35,000 sq ft of retail space, operating for 10+ years, and experiencing 35%+ vacancy in the prior year. Developers must spend at least $5,000 on necessary upgrades to attract new tenants, as certified by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The tax credit can be carried forward for up to 10 years if not fully used in the initial year. This bill, introduced in January 2024, aims to incentivize redevelopment of underutilized commercial properties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1592 establishes the first state definition of Islamophobia for use in civil and criminal cases. The bill defines Islamophobia as racism targeting Muslim identity or perceived Muslim identity, including specific examples like stereotyping, verbal abuse, discrimination in institutions, and false conspiracy claims about Muslims. State officials, law enforcement, and educational institutions must use this definition when investigating hate crimes or discrimination cases motivated by anti-Muslim bias under existing laws. The definition explicitly excludes criticism of Muslim-majority countries that would apply equally to other nations, and the bill clarifies it does not override First Amendment protections or existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1417) prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals, beginning two years after enactment, with limited exemptions for specific facilities. It allows oil refineries and petroleum terminals to continue using PFAS-containing foam for large storage tank fires until eight years after enactment (with reporting and transition requirements), and permits fixed-system facilities to use it for four years. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a collection and disposal program for PFAS foam and appropriates $250,000 for this purpose. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 9, 2024, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to provide full-day kindergarten programs by specific deadlines: districts in categories A, B, CD, or DE must start by the 2020-2021 school year, and others by 2021-2022. It also establishes a uniform age requirement, mandating that children must be age 5 by October 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten (replacing district-specific cutoffs). The bill directly affects all public school districts and kindergarten students in New Jersey. It is currently pending, having been introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $250,000 in supplemental funding to the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) for pediatric services at the Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University. The funds will directly support diagnostic assessments and counseling services for children with Tourette Syndrome, particularly for families with financial need who use the clinic's sliding-scale fees. The clinic offers psychological evaluations, social-emotional skills groups, and therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. This appropriation is a direct financial commitment to expand access to specialized care for pediatric patients in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member School Safety and Security Task Force in New Jersey to study and recommend improvements for public school safety. The task force includes education officials, security experts, and public members with specialized knowledge, and will examine security practices like entrance screening, emergency response protocols, and accessibility for students with disabilities. It must issue final recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and State Board of Education within six months of forming. The task force expires after submitting its report, with no direct policy changes enacted by the bill itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a reserve account within New Jersey's Property Tax Relief Fund to save unanticipated income tax revenue. When actual gross income tax collections exceed the Governor's certified estimate by more than 6% in a fiscal year, half of that excess amount is automatically deposited into the reserve annually. The fund serves as a dedicated "rainy day fund" specifically for property tax relief programs and State Aid programs that reduce local property taxes. Funds can only be spent for these purposes, emergency needs, or if the Legislature certifies a revenue shortfall, with strict limits on using the reserve to avoid tax rate increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a long-term State Water Infrastructure Investment Plan every five years, covering drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. The plan must estimate funding needs, identify revenue sources, prioritize projects (including those serving environmental justice communities), and address climate resilience. It also mandates the NJ Infrastructure Bank to publish more detailed information about water infrastructure projects and appropriates $200,000 to support these efforts. The bill directly affects DEP, the NJ Infrastructure Bank, and local water utilities managing New Jersey's water systems.