Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2163) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to provide a monthly report to specified veteran organizations, county officers, and municipal registers listing names of individuals buried or cremated in state veteran cemeteries. The reports must include only names for which a family representative has signed a waiver permitting disclosure, and the information may be transmitted electronically. The bill explicitly states that these monthly reports and waivers are confidential and not subject to public records disclosure laws. It defines "veteran organizations" as those qualifying under IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) categories or federally chartered Veterans Service Organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) program to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, restricting permanent development. It directly affects landowners with at least five contiguous acres of woodlands managed under approved forest stewardship or woodland management plans. The program is funded through a new "Woodlands Protection Fund" using federal funds (including Forest Legacy Program money), private donations, state appropriations, and investment returns. Acquired easements must be recorded with local officials, and landowners are not required to provide public access to preserved woodlands.

Maddy summaryS 3754 establishes a "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The committee will review cases of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have died or survived abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and assess how government systems respond to these cases. Composed of 12 members including medical professionals, disability advocates, and service providers, the committee will identify system improvements and recommend changes to strengthen prevention and reporting processes. The committee must submit findings and recommendations to state agencies within 27 months, and the state will appropriate funds to support this effort.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to review cases involving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have died or survived abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The committee will assess government responses to these cases across health, social services, and provider systems; identify prevention improvements; and recommend changes to reporting and investigation processes. It will operate confidentially, using protected data to analyze case factors and system effectiveness, with findings submitted to DHS and Children's Services within 27 months. The bill appropriates funds for implementation and requires a final report comparing New Jersey's IDD service systems to other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farm-raised fish and shellfish) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It requires an annual $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion of these products, which must meet department-established quality standards. The Department must also create a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, to verify their quality under the program. This directly benefits New Jersey aquaculture businesses by expanding market access for their products through state marketing efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a single online application portal for substitute teachers seeking jobs at public schools. It mandates the portal be operational within 90 days of the bill's effective date, allowing substitute teachers to submit one application to multiple schools. The portal must help teachers connect with available positions, improve information sharing about openings, and maintain strong data privacy and security. School districts may still use their own hiring systems alongside the portal, and the Commissioner may hire a private vendor to manage it. The bill directly affects substitute teachers and public school employers across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2373 (the "New Jersey First Responders PTSD Protection Act"), protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) who are diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a PTSD diagnosis verified by a licensed medical professional. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior roles after medical clearance and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if they retaliate. The law applies only when PTSD arises from trauma directly tied to job duties, such as witnessing incidents or experiencing vicarious trauma while performing official responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act to add clear enforcement tools. It directly affects licensed tree care professionals by establishing specific penalties for violations, including $1,000 civil administrative fines per violation (or $2,500 for repeat offenses), with each day of violation counting as a separate offense. The law gives the Board of Tree Experts or the Department of Environmental Protection authority to issue compliance orders, pursue civil actions for damages or site restoration, or levy fines after providing violators with 20 days to request a hearing. The bill repeals the previous section that handled fines, creating a unified enforcement framework. These changes aim to strengthen oversight of licensed tree care operations without altering the core licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's child abuse and neglect laws to include individuals aged 18-21 in certain settings under the definition of "child" for protection purposes. Specifically, it revises the definition of "child" to mean any person under 21 years old who is alleged to have been abused, neglected, or exploited by a teacher, employee, contractor, or volunteer of an institution regulated by the Department of Children and Families. The bill extends protections to individuals in institutions (including day schools) who are between 18 and 21 years old, currently falling under separate jurisdiction for individuals with developmental disabilities. This change transfers full investigative responsibility for these cases from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Children and Families for the population served in regulated facilities.