Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill would protect New Jersey residents from losing their homes due to unpaid medical bills. It creates a homestead exemption allowing any person aged 18+ living in the state to shield one primary residence (real property, condo, cooperative, or manufactured home with land) from being seized or sold to satisfy a court judgment for medical debt. The exemption applies specifically to medical debt judgments, not other debts, and limits each person to one exempt property at a time. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to post a syllabus for every undergraduate course online. Each syllabus must include: (1) a summary of major assignments and exams, (2) titles/authors of required readings, and (3) a general overview of course content. Institutions must make syllabi available no later than seven days before the semester’s registration period begins. The requirement applies to all undergraduate courses offered for academic credit at public higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed physicians in New Jersey to complete two hours of approved implicit bias training every two years. It directly affects physicians by mandating they learn to recognize and reduce unconscious biases that may impact patient care. The training must cover current research on bias in medicine and strategies to improve health outcomes. The Department of Health will establish approved training programs within 30 days, and the requirement takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to study child care access for college students who are parents. The 15-member commission includes state education officials, appointed public experts, and a student parent, tasked with compiling data on student child care needs, reviewing existing campus programs, and exploring partnerships between colleges and child care providers. It will examine successful models from other states and issue recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and colleges within one year. The commission's report will inform potential future policies but does not create new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3607) requires all New Jersey public schools to provide suicide prevention instruction in every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates that the State Board of Education revise curriculum standards within 180 days to include specific, age-appropriate elements such as recognizing warning signs, understanding mental health's role in wellness, addressing stigma, and identifying support resources. The instruction must be evidence-based and adapted to students' developmental levels. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 141 designates October of each year as "Walk to School Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation urging public officials, organizations, and citizens to observe the month with events promoting walking or biking to school. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but highlights the health, environmental, and community benefits of active transportation to school, such as reduced air pollution and traffic congestion.

Maddy summaryAJR 132 designates April 22 of each year as "Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of Girl Scout Leaders, who volunteer to mentor girls through the Girl Scouts program. It highlights these leaders' role in teaching leadership, confidence, and life skills to participants. The resolution takes effect immediately and is procedural, not creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the S.E.E.D. Program within New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to provide grants for student-led projects at public colleges and universities. It creates a S.E.E.D. Fund funded by state appropriations - calculating $2,500 per 500 full-time students and $2,500 per 1,000 part-time students at each institution - to support innovative student concepts, products, or companies. The program is governed by a seven-member board that sets competitive grant criteria focusing on project merit, feasibility, and sustainability plans. The board must report on grant outcomes to the governor and legislature within four years of implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires airports operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to provide private lactation rooms for travelers who need to express milk. Airports with 1 million or more annual passengers must install these rooms in all terminals immediately, while smaller airports (10,000-1 million passengers) must add them during new construction or major renovations. All rooms must include a chair, electrical outlet, and be located outside restrooms - new or renovated rooms must also include a sink. The policy directly affects travelers using PANYNJ airports, ensuring accessible, private spaces for breastfeeding or pumping.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly passed Resolution AR 105, urging Congress to enact legislation that would extend Medicare coverage to include eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures. Currently, Medicare does not cover these items, forcing seniors to pay out-of-pocket for essential devices they need for daily living. The resolution highlights that many older Americans face financial strain due to these costs, with 42% of elderly Medicare beneficiaries experiencing hearing loss and nearly all over 55 requiring vision correction. This is a formal request to Congress, not a binding law, aiming to address gaps in Medicare benefits for vulnerable seniors.