Asm. Margie Donlon

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the minimum percentage of funds that municipal tourist development commissions must spend on advertising outside their municipality from 50% to 20%. It directly affects these commissions in New Jersey municipalities, which use local tourism revenue to promote visitor attraction. The bill also clarifies that "advertising outside the municipality" includes any ads targeting people who work or live outside the area, even if the same ad reaches local residents. This change simplifies compliance while maintaining the core goal of attracting tourists from outside the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General guidelines for investigating bias incidents into law. It requires all county and municipal law enforcement agencies to report suspected or confirmed bias incidents through the Electronic Uniform Crime Reporting system within 24 hours of initial response. The bill also mandates immediate notification to the Bias Crime Unit and county prosecutor in cases involving homicide, aggravated assault, hate group perpetrators, or potential large-scale public unrest. Additionally, it establishes specific criteria for confirming bias incidents and requires law enforcement agencies to develop written policies, provide officer training, and update investigation protocols for bias-related incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey food service businesses from automatically providing single-use plastic utensils and condiments to customers. Instead, businesses must only provide these items upon explicit customer request. Restaurants and similar establishments with 50 or more on-site seats must offer reusable, washable utensils for dine-in customers, who must return them after use. Businesses that exclusively use eco-friendly alternatives are exempt, and violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per offense, with penalty funds going to litter prevention programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in New Jersey public schools to refer students to private licensed mental health providers (such as psychologists or social workers) for assessments and services. It prohibits referrals to a provider if the school staff or their immediate family has a significant financial interest in that provider. Parents or guardians must consent for students who cannot legally consent themselves, and neither the school district nor the referring staff bears the cost of these private services. The bill does not restrict schools from providing mental health services directly to students. It aims to expand access to mental health care through school-based referrals while maintaining safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies and local governments (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities) to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA). The CNA distributes products made at rehabilitation facilities that employ people with disabilities. Key provisions include mandating training for purchasing agents on the CNA program, requiring quarterly reporting on compliance, and granting the CNA a "right of first refusal" for goods/services if priced within 15% of fair market value. The law aims to support employment for people with disabilities by ensuring a steady market for goods produced at rehabilitation facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to create "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt "homeless housing plans" to address local homelessness. Municipalities can collect up to $3 in additional fees from building permits, business licenses, fines, or other fees to fund these trusts. Funds must be used exclusively for permanent affordable housing, rental vouchers, supportive services, and prevention programs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with projects required to reduce homelessness measurably and include outcome tracking. Municipalities must consult a community task force including people with lived homelessness experience and report annual fund usage to the state Department of Community Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed health care facilities in New Jersey to confidentially report all known and suspected cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease to the state Department of Health. It affects hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities licensed under New Jersey law. The Department of Health must collect these reports while complying with federal and state privacy laws, and can only use the information for research purposes - no other use is permitted. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5935 bill makes several changes to charter school operations. It requires charter schools to provide application materials in the seven most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficiency students in their district, based on census data. The bill prohibits charter schools from establishing admission criteria for students selected through random selection and mandates student placement liaisons to coordinate student transitions and track enrollment data. Charter schools must also report annual exit data (reasons, dates, placements) and set specific requirements for non-resident students participating in athletics.

Maddy summaryAJR 229 is a symbolic joint resolution recognizing New Jersey's commitment to the right to adequate food as a fundamental principle. It defines this right to include nutritional needs, physical and economic access to safe, culturally appropriate food, sustainability, and food sovereignty - without creating new legal obligations or private lawsuits. The resolution encourages state, county, and municipal entities to prioritize underdeveloped communities, coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to support local farmers, and promote sustainable food systems. It serves as a guiding principle for future policies but does not mandate new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DHS) and the State Board of Medical Examiners to create a faster process for reviewing applications from doctors who want to join NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid and children's health insurance program). Specifically, the medical board must share a physician's license number with DHS within 5 days of issuing it (or provide denial documentation within 5 days if licensure is denied), and DHS must begin processing applications immediately if they include license details or proof of pending licensure. DHS must also notify applicants within 10 days of receiving the license number if additional documents are needed. The bill does not change existing licensing or enrollment requirements and clarifies that approval cannot be granted before DHS receives a National Provider Identifier number.