Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1850) allows school nurses in New Jersey public and private schools to administer opioid antidotes (like naloxone) to students or others experiencing an opioid overdose on school property. It directly affects school nurses and students by enabling immediate emergency response during overdose incidents. The key provision grants school nurses immunity from civil, criminal, and professional liability for administering these antidotes, aligning with New Jersey’s existing "Overdose Prevention Act" framework. This change specifically targets opioid overdoses (e.g., from heroin or fentanyl) and removes legal barriers for school staff to act in life-threatening emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Veterans Assistance for Nutritional Needs Program, which rebrands New Jersey's existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to specifically promote and serve veterans. It requires the Division of Family Development to develop new promotional materials, branded electronic benefits transfer cards, and a separate website for veterans, while keeping all SNAP eligibility rules, benefits, and federal funding unchanged. The program directly affects veterans who meet state definitions (honorable military discharge from U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey militia), aiming to increase their access to nutrition benefits. The bill explicitly states it does not alter SNAP's core program structure or replace it with a new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a program installing adaptive traffic signal technology at state-maintained intersections that meet a new traffic threshold. The threshold, based on traffic volume and speed, will determine which intersections qualify for the technology during routine signal maintenance, repairs, or replacements. The program must prioritize reducing traffic delays, lowering air pollution, and enabling smoother traffic flow while ensuring pedestrian safety and financial feasibility. It directly affects DOT operations and drivers/pedestrians at qualifying intersections statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to automatically allow steer and other designated pack animals in any state park where horseback riding is already permitted. It directly affects state park visitors who may use these animals for recreation and the DEP, which must implement this change whenever it authorizes horseback riding. The key provision mandates the DEP to add these activities to park regulations without additional approval, ensuring consistency with existing equestrian access.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It adds two specific scenarios: children aged 18+ enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at a college or university, and children of any age with a documented disability preventing substantial gainful work for 12+ months. These changes directly affect the children of retired or deceased police officers and firefighters who previously might not have qualified for benefits under the old definition. The bill modifies eligibility criteria for retirement benefits but does not change benefit amounts or other system mechanics.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) for low-income residents in specific facilities - from $50 to $140 - to cover personal expenses like phone calls, meals out, or hobbies. It directly affects individuals receiving medical assistance under Medicaid who live in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, or state developmental centers. The allowance will automatically rise annually starting January 1 after enactment, matching the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) percentage. This change ensures the PNA remains aligned with inflation while being disregarded income for Medicaid eligibility calculations. The bill amends existing state laws to implement this increase and adjust future payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's single-use plastic carryout bag ban to exempt certain compostable bags. Specifically, it removes from the definition of "plastic carryout bag" bags made entirely from organic materials that are certified by a third-party verification organization as compostable in municipal or industrial facilities. This change directly affects stores selling these certified compostable bags, allowing them to offer these items without violating the ban. The exemption applies only to bags meeting the specified certification standards, not all biodegradable products. The bill does not alter the overall ban on conventional plastic carryout bags.

Maddy summaryS 2599 requires companies, research facilities, and institutions using cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing, research, or educational purposes in New Jersey to assess each animal for adoption suitability after testing ends and offer it to rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. These entities must register with the state health department, report animal details (like type, number, and adoption status), and document efforts to place animals for adoption. Noncompliance results in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations, with a third offense potentially leading to a court-ordered ban on animal testing. The bill establishes clear reporting procedures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure animals used in testing have adoption opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends the state sales and use tax, plus the societal benefits charge, on electric and gas utility bills for all customers in New Jersey during 2026 (January 1-December 31). It directly affects residential and commercial utility ratepayers by removing these specific charges from their monthly bills. The key mechanism is a temporary exemption from two fees: the standard sales tax on utility services and the societal benefits charge (which funds clean energy programs and energy assistance). The suspension ends January 1, 2027, and does not alter the underlying utility rates.

Maddy summaryS 1982, the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health and physical education curricula for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates teaching about prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health standards, and the state education department must post related materials online for staff, students, and parents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278, and is no longer active.