Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Targeted Midwifery Workforce Development Act to address racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey. It allocates $12 million to expand training and support for midwives, aiming to increase access to culturally competent care for Black communities who currently face higher risks of pregnancy-related death and infant mortality. The legislation directly affects healthcare providers, educational institutions, and state agencies involved in workforce development and maternal health services. By investing in midwifery education and addressing systemic inequities, the bill seeks to improve birth outcomes and reduce the gap between Black and white residents in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the New Jersey earned income tax credit from 40 percent to 50 percent of the federal earned income tax credit amount, effective for tax years beginning in 2026. The change directly affects New Jersey residents who qualify for the federal earned income tax credit, allowing them to receive a larger refundable state tax credit based on their federal eligibility. By amending the state tax code, the legislation ensures that eligible working individuals and families will calculate their state tax benefit using the new higher percentage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the New Jersey child tax credit for families with children under six years old and to expand eligibility to include children aged six through 11. Under the new provisions, taxpayers with an income of $30,000 or less would receive a $2,000 credit for each child under six, while those with children aged six to 11 would receive a $1,000 credit, with amounts gradually decreasing as income rises to $80,000. The legislation also sets a maximum total credit limit of $2,500 per taxpayer and clarifies that the credit is refundable if it exceeds the tax owed. These changes would apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, for resident New Jersey taxpayers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires corporations in New Jersey to calculate their combined group tax liability based on worldwide income rather than just domestic earnings. It directly affects businesses that operate as combined groups, including those with foreign subsidiaries or partnerships, by mandating how their global profits are reported and taxed. The legislation updates existing tax laws to ensure that income from foreign branches is converted to U.S. dollars and adjusted for federal tax differences, while also clarifying how partnership income is included in the group's total. Additionally, it establishes specific rules for excluding certain treaty-based income and defines how limited partners in investment partnerships are treated within the combined group structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $12 million program to fund community-led initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families in New Jersey. The funding is directed toward underserved urban areas, including Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City, to support culturally congruent care provided by Black medical professionals, midwives, and doulas. By creating resource centers that address systemic barriers and provide holistic support, the legislation seeks to reduce the state's high rates of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and infant mortality among Black women. The initiative specifically targets regions with significant health disparities to ensure equitable access to prenatal care and wellness services.

Maddy summaryS 1659 requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. This applies to most construction projects, but excludes single-family homes, dwelling unit renovations/repairs, and small-scale alterations (e.g., to buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit and update it before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within 180 days of enactment. It does not apply to residential renovations or single-family home projects as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program to provide confidential mental health support to firefighters and their immediate family members who are experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program will award grants to licensed mental health providers, with a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to cover these costs. Selection criteria for grants will prioritize providers located within an hour's travel time of the patients they serve, and a list of approved providers will be published online. The legislation aims to address barriers to care, such as fear of job loss, by ensuring accessible and confidential treatment options.

Maddy summarySCR 16 proposes adding a new constitutional provision to New Jersey's state constitution explicitly prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances, including as punishment for a crime. This would directly affect all residents, particularly incarcerated individuals who currently perform mandatory, low-paid labor in state prisons. The amendment would ban forcing anyone to work against their will for the state's benefit - even if compensated - but would not prohibit voluntary work programs for inmates. It requires voter approval via referendum after legislative passage, as the current constitution lacks any such prohibition.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.