Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption requiring pretrial detention for defendants charged with sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2) or criminal sexual contact (N.J.S.2C:14-3) when the victim is a minor, or endangering the welfare of a child (N.J.S.2C:24-4). It directly affects individuals facing these specific child abuse charges in New Jersey courts. Under the law, prosecutors can seek detention for these cases, but defendants may challenge the presumption by presenting evidence showing that reasonable bail or release conditions would ensure court appearance and community safety. This changes existing bail procedures by adding these offenses to the list where detention is presumed unless rebutted, rather than requiring prosecutors to prove risk factors upfront.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material (defined as material illegal to distribute to minors under state law) from appearing in school libraries. The policy must set standards for appropriate library content, ban obscene material, mandate staff compliance with obscenity laws, and outline disciplinary procedures for violations. The Commissioner of Education will develop and distribute guidance to schools on identifying prohibited material, when to involve law enforcement, and recommended disciplinary actions - including termination for criminal convictions. School districts failing to comply risk losing state funding, directly affecting school boards, library staff, and students.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program to expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for high school students in New Jersey. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to provide grants to school districts for developing CTE programs, acquiring equipment/facilities, and training instructors. The program will select 15 school districts (five each in southern, central, and northern regions) to participate, prioritizing urban, suburban, and rural representation. Participating districts must submit annual reports on program impact, and the state will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment opportunities in career and technical education (CTE) for high school students. Public colleges and universities in New Jersey can apply for grants to offer college-level CTE courses on campus or in high schools, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. To qualify, institutions must submit detailed plans including program capacity, expected student participation, and sustainability beyond the grant period, with funding awarded competitively. The program requires annual reporting on student participation, workforce impact, and recommendations for future funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide reading intervention programs for kindergarten through third-grade students who show reading deficiencies, as identified by approved assessments. The programs must use a data-driven, multi-tiered system of supports to deliver explicit instruction in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension while monitoring student progress throughout the year. School districts must adopt scientifically based instructional materials, and the Department of Education must provide age-appropriate resources and develop an evaluation process for the program. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3527 requires motorbus operators (including regular route services, charter buses, casino shuttles, and special bus operations) to unload passengers only at pre-planned destinations documented through schedules, tickets, receipts, or other public records. Operators must carry this documentation while operating and cannot stop to unload elsewhere unless an emergency occurs, in which case they must contact emergency services and stay near the bus. Violations carry a $1,000 penalty per incident, and the vehicle may be confiscated. The bill excludes New Jersey Transit and its contracted operators from these requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide annual training to K-12 teachers who work with students exhibiting reading deficiencies (scoring below grade level or at risk of doing so). The training covers evidence-based reading instruction, intervention techniques, and distinguishing reading deficiencies from special education needs. It also mandates the Department of Education to create a "train the trainer" program certifying literacy coaches, who receive a one-time stipend and can provide ongoing coaching support including classroom observations, example lessons, and feedback. All training and coaching count toward existing teacher professional development requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a "Teacher Retention Program" that provides an annual retention grant to every full-time public school teacher at the end of each school year. The program is funded by redirecting state funds previously allocated for services to undocumented persons - including health care, public school education, postsecondary education, and legal services - to the Department of Education. It directly affects all full-time public school teachers across New Jersey by guaranteeing equal annual payments as an incentive to remain in their positions. The bill mandates this funding shift "notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary" and takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryS 2050, "Stephanie's Law," requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a publicly available domestic violence registry. This registry will include personal details (name, photo, vehicle info, address) for individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes, subject to final restraining orders, or found in contempt of such orders. Law enforcement officers must search this registry during arrests to check for active domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also establishes procedures for removing erroneous entries and updating address information.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3414 permits the sale of raw milk (unpasteurized milk) only through a state-issued permit program. The bill requires farms selling raw milk to meet strict quality standards, including bimonthly bacterial testing, no growth hormones, and cooling milk within two hours of milking. It mandates clear health warnings on all containers and signage stating raw milk "may contain organisms that cause human disease." The program, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Health, includes inspections, a permit fee, and revocation for repeated test failures. This directly affects dairy farms seeking to sell raw milk and consumers purchasing it at the farm of origin.