Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires ballot scanning machines (used in counties that count hand-marked paper ballots) to include a privacy screen, shield, or curtain to protect voter secrecy when inserting ballots. It also mandates that all voting booths in polling places must have privacy screens, shields, or curtains, ensuring voters can prepare ballots privately without observation. These changes apply statewide to all counties using ballot scanning machines and update existing election laws to standardize privacy protections. The bill aims to maintain consistent ballot secrecy across New Jersey, regardless of voting system or location.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program requiring counties to create "Code Red" alert systems for extreme heat or poor air quality events. It directly affects at-risk individuals (defined as those living outdoors or in poorly insulated settings) by mandating counties to coordinate cooling centers, outreach plans, and transportation through municipal and social service partners. Alerts trigger when the National Weather Service issues a heat advisory or air quality index reaches 151, with counties reporting program outcomes to the State Office of Emergency Management by the 30th month. The program expires after three years, with counties eligible for reimbursement of administrative costs. (Note: Bill was withdrawn January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.297.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to award academic credit to undergraduate students who volunteer as emergency responders. To qualify, students must have served within five years of enrollment (or concurrently), provided proof of hours, volunteered with an officially recognized fire/rescue/ambulance group or emergency management office, and held the required certification during service. Credit is calculated based on verified hours and applied toward relevant coursework. The Secretary of Higher Education must develop standardized credit recommendations for institutions. The law takes effect immediately for the next full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year oral health pilot program called the MOM Project in New Jersey's Department of Health, appropriating $4.15 million. It directly affects low-income pregnant women and new mothers (under 300% of the federal poverty level) who are not enrolled in Medicaid and reside in medically underserved areas. The program requires maternal health consortia to provide eligible mothers with three hours of culturally tailored oral health education (covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease links), followed by a year of dental treatment including cleanings, risk assessments, and restorative care at participating community health centers. The initiative aims to improve access to oral care for this at-risk group, addressing barriers like cost, lack of insurance, and language needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3739) designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about preventing water-related accidents and drowning. It directly affects public schools and students in grades kindergarten through five, encouraging the Department of Education (with the Department of Health) to provide resources for water safety education during this month. Key provisions include supporting school presentations, partnerships with nonprofits, and educational activities focused on age-appropriate safety practices. The bill aims to address drowning as a leading cause of death for young children, per CDC data, through proactive school-based learning.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1312) requires New Jersey paid and part-paid fire departments to create and annually update a written policy addressing job-related needs of pregnant firefighters within 180 days of the bill's effective date. The policy must cover disclosure of pregnancy, medical certifications for duty limitations, availability of light-duty assignments, information on unsafe tasks, pregnancy leave use, and continued benefits. Departments must follow standards from the National Fire Protection Association or similar professional organizations when developing the policy. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by another enacted bill (P.L.2025, c.192) that already addressed these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $350,000 from the General Fund to fund ongoing maintenance of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) database at Rutgers University. The database tracks historical data on women elected or appointed to public office at the congressional, state executive, and state legislative levels nationwide. This funding supports CAWP’s existing work - required by prior law (P.L.2021, c.414) - to maintain and update this resource for research on women’s political participation. The bill directly affects CAWP’s operations at Rutgers, not new policy or public beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private correctional facilities - including juvenile facilities - to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated adults and juveniles. It prohibits facilities from charging inmates or their families any fees (including per-minute charges, surcharges, or account fees), ensuring both parties to communications bear no cost. The law also mandates that facilities maintain current service access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require all State, county, and municipal social service workers to complete annual implicit bias and cultural competency training. Workers must finish an online tutorial by April 1 of every even-numbered year and attend yearly in-person sessions. County/municipal boards and state departments must certify completion and share these records publicly. The training aims to help workers understand unconscious biases and better serve diverse communities they support.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.