Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 732) requires New Jersey's Division of Housing and Community Resources (DCA) to create a single, user-friendly online application for all state residential utility assistance programs. It directs the DCA to work with state agencies and nonprofit energy assistance organizations to consolidate multiple separate applications into one website-based form. The bill affects residential customers seeking help with utility bills or energy efficiency programs, as well as state agencies and nonprofits administering these programs. The consolidated application must integrate both permanent and temporary assistance programs, streamlining access for residents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.265, meaning it is now law.

Maddy summarySJR 57 designates October of each year as "Bullying Prevention Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities about bullying, its impacts, and prevention strategies. It does not create new laws or obligations but formally recognizes the month to promote education on bullying in all settings. This symbolic designation aligns with the existing "National Bullying Prevention Month" observed since 2010.

Maddy summaryS 2181 establishes the "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to improve collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts in New Jersey. The pilot program, operating for three years, requires joint development of workforce training with industry credentials, coordinated marketing, integrated funding planning, and performance tracking using metrics like employment rates and credential attainment. It designates community colleges and vocational schools as preferred providers for workforce training and adult literacy programs, targeting job seekers, workers, and public assistance recipients. The bill appropriates state funds from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund and Supplemental Workforce Fund to support the pilot, with annual progress reports required to the Governor and Legislature. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as approved under P.L.2025, c.375.)

Maddy summaryS 2679 requires law enforcement officers responding to a scene with a deceased person to remain at the location until a medical examiner or designated investigator takes charge of the body. This directly affects responding police officers in New Jersey by mandating their continued presence at death scenes. The bill amends existing death investigation procedures (P.L.2018, c.62) to specify that officers must not leave the body until medical examiners arrive, ensuring the scene remains undisturbed for proper investigation. It does not change which deaths require investigation but adds a specific procedural step for officers during those investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain a database tracking available student spots in Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) programs at participating colleges. Colleges must notify the Secretary's office within one business day when a spot is filled, so the database stays updated. Campus EOF directors must share information about available spots at other colleges with students who haven't secured a placement. The goal is to improve communication and placement opportunities for eligible students seeking EOF program enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides temporary financial protections for New Jersey homeowners and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It requires mortgage lenders to grant at least 90 days of payment forbearance (a temporary pause on mortgage payments) to qualifying homeowners who lost income due to the pandemic, with an option for a second 90-day period. It also prohibits "non-essential evictions" for tenants who lost income or faced pandemic-related hardships, and prevents negative credit reporting for pandemic-related payment delays. These protections apply during the emergency period (the Governor's declared emergency plus 60 days) and cover renters and homeowners meeting income and hardship criteria.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Sovereignty Act (S 2727) restricts the deployment of the state's National Guard for active duty combat to only situations requiring a congressional declaration of war or specific congressional authorization under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the U.S. Constitution. It prohibits state and local law enforcement from providing certain federal assistance - such as immigration enforcement, sharing non-public personal data, or granting access to detention facilities - without explicit state authorization from the Attorney General or Governor. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies immediately report all federal requests for cooperation to assess whether they comply with New Jersey's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. These provisions directly affect New Jersey's National Guard and law enforcement agencies by establishing clear boundaries for state-federal interactions.

Maddy summaryS 434 prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops and their customers. It repeals the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act" and requires pet shops to collaborate with animal shelters, rescues, and pounds to facilitate adoptions instead of selling animals. The bill defines "pet shop" separately from breeders and pet dealers, ensuring the law does not restrict responsible breeders or other sellers, but bans pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers for sale. The legislation aims to reduce sales of animals from puppy mills and increase adoptions from shelters, which the bill cites as having "unadopted" animals available.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family and two-family residential zones as a standard use, eliminating the need for special approvals beyond standard zoning. It sets specific size limits (minimum 300 sq ft, maximum 1,200 sq ft), height restrictions (max 20 feet), and setback rules (no more than five feet for detached ADUs). The bill also mandates that ADUs must be rented separately from the primary dwelling but cannot be sold separately, and exempts them from fire sprinkler requirements if the primary dwelling does not require them. These provisions directly affect homeowners seeking to build ADUs and municipalities required to update zoning regulations.