Asm. Margie Donlon

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 138) symbolically designates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New Jersey. It urges public officials and citizens to commemorate the month with appropriate activities, recognizing the contributions and struggles of LGBTQIA+ individuals (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and non-binary people). The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the community's achievements and ongoing advocacy. It follows similar designations by federal and state governments, emphasizing visibility and equality.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a 36-month deadline and a two-year transfer window for municipalities to issue special alcoholic beverage licenses in project areas (former federal military installations being redeveloped). It allows these municipalities more flexibility to issue licenses for hotels, restaurants, and bars within redevelopment zones without strict time constraints. The special licenses permit on-premises alcohol sales but do not change the number of licenses or fee structure for these permits. The bill specifically amends existing law (P.L.2018, c.101) to eliminate these time limits for all qualifying project areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to provide additional support for first-generation homebuyers. It increases the maximum down payment assistance to $20,000 for first-time homebuyers, with an extra $7,000-$10,000 specifically for first-generation homebuyers (defined as individuals whose parents never owned residential property and who may have been in foster care). The program requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years, complete homebuyer counseling, and repay the loan if they move before the five-year term. The assistance is structured as a zero-interest, forgivable loan if all conditions are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's down payment assistance program to better support first-generation and first-time homebuyers. It increases the maximum zero-interest, forgivable loan amount from $15,000 to $20,000, adds an extra $7,000-$10,000 for first-generation homebuyers (defined as those without parental home ownership history or who were in foster care), and requires recipients to use the home as their primary residence for five years. The program must allocate at least 50% of annual funding to first-generation homebuyers, with detailed reporting on recipient demographics and program effectiveness. This directly affects low-to-moderate income homebuyers seeking to purchase single-family homes through the state’s housing agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new benefit programs under New Jersey's Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) cash assistance program. It provides eligible participants with a $14 monthly benefit for menstrual hygiene products (tampons, pads, or cups) for individuals aged 18-50, and a $30 monthly benefit per child under 36 months for diaper products. Benefits are added to participants' existing WFNJ electronic cards on the same schedule as regular benefits, with unspent funds carrying over monthly. The $2.5 million appropriation funds these programs, which directly affect low-income WFNJ recipients and their dependent children.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's film and digital media content production tax credit program to expand eligibility for tax credits. It specifically modifies the definitions of "qualified film production expenses" and "qualified digital media content production expenses" to include wages paid to employees who are exempt from New Jersey income tax due to reciprocity agreements with other states, such as Pennsylvania residents. The bill also updates the definition of "full-time or full-time equivalent employee" to include these workers. These changes apply retroactively to January 1, 2024, allowing taxpayers who received tax credit certificates before this date to surrender them for new certificates under the revised terms. The changes directly affect film and digital media production companies operating in New Jersey that employ workers from states with income tax reciprocity agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's requirements for inspecting residential rental properties for lead-based paint hazards. It mandates that municipalities inspect rental units at tenant turnover or every three years (with lead-safe certifications now valid for three years), while repealing an outdated provision requiring the Department of Community Affairs to conduct these inspections. The bill also modifies inspection methods based on local child blood lead level data and requires municipalities to report lead hazard findings to the Department of Community Affairs. These changes aim to streamline lead hazard inspections while maintaining protections for tenants, particularly children, from lead paint exposure.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 148) condemns Republican members of the U.S. Congress for failing to support Senate Bill 3612 (SB3612), a federal bill designed to protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies. The resolution specifically notes that 48 Republican senators voted against advancing SB3612 (which would have barred restrictions on IVF access and granted individuals rights to treatment and genetic material), while two Republicans supported it. It affirms New Jersey’s existing commitment to reproductive freedom, including full access to IVF services, as part of the state’s longstanding policy. The resolution serves as a formal statement to federal lawmakers, highlighting the contradiction between Republicans’ public support for IVF and their opposition to the federal legislative protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover self-administered hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, vaginal rings, and diaphragms) when dispensed by pharmacists under a standing order. Currently, Medicaid beneficiaries need a doctor's prescription for these contraceptives before getting them at a pharmacy, but this bill would eliminate that requirement. The bill defines "standing order" as a prewritten medication order that allows pharmacists to provide these contraceptives without an individual prescription. This change would increase access to contraceptives for Medicaid recipients without requiring additional doctor visits. The policy change applies specifically to Medicaid beneficiaries who use these contraceptive methods.