Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that at least one member of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) live in each of the state's three defined regions: northern (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren counties), central (Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean, Somerset, Union counties), and southern (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem counties). The Governor must ensure this regional representation for all new BPU appointments after the bill takes effect. The bill does not change the total number of BPU members (five) but adds a geographic requirement to their appointments. This ensures that the BPU reflects the state's regional diversity in its decision-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.65 million from New Jersey's "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" to expand career and technical education programs at the Cumberland County Technical Education Center. The funding is specifically directed to this single institution in Cumberland County for vocational program enhancements. The bill does not create new programs but allocates existing state funds for immediate use under the Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5419) prohibits licensed health care professionals in New Jersey from providing medical, surgical, or therapeutic gender-affirming care to individuals under 21 years old. It specifically defines "gender-affirming health care services" to include medications and treatments for gender dysphoria but explicitly excludes behavioral, mental, or psychiatric care. Violating this prohibition subjects professionals to disciplinary action for professional misconduct under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs and Health Department to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey public school districts to permit students attending nonpublic schools (like private or religious schools) to join their district's high school sports teams if the nonpublic school doesn't offer that specific sport. Nonpublic school students must prove residency in the district and meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students, including academic standards, physical exams, and fees. School districts may charge these students a fee up to the actual cost per pupil for the sport, but not for students qualifying for financial hardship under state lunch program criteria. The bill does not require districts to provide transportation, adjust team schedules, or change existing participation rules for these students.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A919 establishes standards for public service privatization contracts, requiring state and local agencies to demonstrate actual cost savings for taxpayers before outsourcing services. The bill mandates competitive bidding, ensures services maintain current quality and pricing for the public, and requires contractors to pay wages and benefits equal to those of displaced public employees. Agencies must provide detailed cost analyses, allow union input on cost estimates, and submit quarterly reports on contractor compliance. The Office of the State Comptroller reviews contracts for compliance, and the State Auditor conducts annual post-audits to verify savings and prevent service degradation or underpayment of workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of purchasing sexual services (prostitution as a patron) from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the fourth degree for first offenses, with higher penalties for repeat violations. It requires convicted patrons to participate in a mandatory education program about human trafficking and pay a $500 fee. All fines and fees collected from these offenses are directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund," which provides services to trafficking victims and supports educational programs about human trafficking. The fund was established by prior legislation to assist survivors and combat human trafficking through prevention and awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7.65 million from the "Securing Our Children's Future Fund" specifically for Cumberland County Technical Education Center to expand its career and technical education programs. The funds are directly allocated to this single institution for program growth, not distributed through a competitive process. The appropriation aligns with the Securing Our Children's Future Bond Act (P.L.2018, c.119) and requires no additional legislative action for implementation. It directly affects Cumberland County's career education offerings and students enrolled there.

Maddy summaryAJR 213 establishes a New Jersey Delegation on Government Efficiency (DOGE) to examine state government operations and identify ways to save taxpayer money and improve efficiency. The DOGE will consist of the State Auditor (as chair) and up to 20 public members appointed by a bipartisan committee including the Governor, Senate President, Assembly Speaker, and minority leaders. Members must have relevant audit experience and disclose conflicts of interest, and vacancies are filled through the same appointment process. The DOGE must issue a public report within 20 months detailing its findings and recommendations for cost savings and operational improvements, directly affecting all state agencies and departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to consult with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) when a court finds an individual with a developmental disability abused or neglected a child. It mandates DCPP to work with DDD to create a tailored services plan for that individual, considering their specific disability. The key mechanism ensures therapeutic services (like counseling or support programs) are designed around the person's disability needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities who are found to have abused or neglected a child and are eligible for DDD services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Veterans' Organization Building Grant Program, which will provide competitive grants to 501(c)(19) veterans' organizations for building rehabilitation or purchase to support veteran services. The program will be funded by a $2 million initial appropriation from the General Fund, plus voluntary taxpayer contributions through New Jersey income tax returns. Organizations must submit applications detailing how they'll use the buildings to assist veterans, and the Economic Development Authority will develop specific grant criteria. The program aims to help veterans' organizations maintain or improve facilities that serve veterans across New Jersey.