Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 711 requires public colleges and universities to create and maintain cyber security plans to protect student and staff data. The plans must cover monitoring for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must regularly update these plans and consult with the state’s Cybersecurity Center for best practices. The bill defines a "cyber attack" as unauthorized access to personal information (like Social Security numbers or financial data) without proper security, but excludes phishing attempts and legitimate employee data use. It also mandates reporting actual cyber attacks to the state office while clarifying what does not count as an attack.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship to cover tuition, fees, and required course materials for New Jersey residents enrolled in career-focused programs at county colleges or vocational schools. It directly affects students pursuing certificates, diplomas, or degrees in high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and education, as identified by the state's Labor Demand Occupation List. The scholarship covers costs after other aid is applied, up to $5,000 annually, with eligibility requiring residency, enrollment in an approved program, and either employment or completion of a financial literacy course. Students in associate degree programs may receive support for up to three years, while others get up to two years, all subject to maintaining a 2.0 GPA.

Maddy summaryAR 81 is an Assembly Resolution (not a binding law) urging New Jersey public schools to implement "share tables" in cafeterias. These tables allow students to place unopened, unconsumed food for others to take or donate to food pantries, directly targeting school food waste and food insecurity. The resolution cites USDA data showing 21% of school lunch calories are wasted and notes 9% of New Jersey residents (including 10% of children) face food insecurity. It recommends schools adopt this low-cost, simple initiative to reduce waste, lower disposal costs, and increase food availability for pantries. The resolution has no enforcement power and will be shared with school districts via the Commissioner of Education.

Maddy summaryAJR 89 establishes the "Autism and Developmental Disabilities Study Commission" to examine how hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts train staff to interact with people with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. The commission, composed of seven members (including two state agency heads and appointments from legislative leaders and the governor), must study current training practices and submit a report within one year of its formation. It will not make policy changes but will recommend potential improvements to state agencies and lawmakers. The commission dissolves 30 days after submitting its final report to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryAJR 57 designates May of each year as "Foster Care Month" in New Jersey to raise awareness about the state's foster care system and honor child welfare professionals. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of the over 3,100 children in foster care and the professionals who help them find permanent homes. It has no substantive policy changes or financial impacts - it is a symbolic resolution aligning with National Foster Care Month. The measure takes effect immediately upon adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover fertility preservation services (like egg or sperm freezing) for individuals who develop infertility as a direct result of medically necessary treatments, such as cancer therapy. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries facing treatment-induced infertility who would otherwise pay out-of-pocket for these services. The key provision amends Medicaid coverage to include these services under "comprehensive medical care" when recommended by a physician prior to treatments known to cause infertility. The policy change ensures coverage for fertility preservation as part of standard medical care, without adding new administrative burdens to existing Medicaid services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 439) changes how interest is calculated for property owners when their land is taken through eminent domain in New Jersey. It replaces a fixed interest rate with one based on the final just compensation award amount. This directly affects property owners whose land is acquired by government authorities (like municipalities or agencies) under eminent domain. The key provision requires compensation interest to align with the actual final settlement value, rather than using a predetermined rate. The bill amends existing law to implement this change in compensation calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits home sellers in New Jersey from requiring potential buyers to disclose their down payment amount when submitting an offer. It directly affects residential real estate sellers and buyers, covering properties serving as single-family or small multi-unit dwellings (excluding buildings with over four residential units). The key provision bans sellers from asking about down payment details during the offer process, with violations subject to a $1,000 civil penalty. The law aims to prevent sellers from using down payment information to screen buyers unfairly.

Maddy summaryThis bill reaffirms the continuation of the Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 77th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. It requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (free for New Jersey residents when possible) on labor-management relations, including classes, webinars, and forums, while conducting applied research on workplace issues. The bill mandates an advisory council with six members - representing labor, management, and the public - to guide program development and budgeting. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for the Institute.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory early intervention programs for toddlers and children aged 3-5 who are deaf or hard of hearing, directly affecting these children and their parents or guardians. It requires two annual meetings with a language team (including a pediatric audiologist, teacher of the deaf, deaf mentor, and speech pathologist) until language development benchmarks are met, and pairs parents with trained deaf/hard of hearing mentors who share lived experience and support language development. Enrollment is automatic for eligible children with a parent/guardian opt-out option, covering toddlers until age three and older children until kindergarten entry. The program aims to support language acquisition through structured team meetings and peer mentorship, as defined in the bill's provisions.