Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Read Act establishes requirements for library materials in New Jersey public school libraries and public libraries, requiring school boards and library governing bodies to adopt policies that ensure access to diverse and inclusive materials. The bill defines "diverse and inclusive material" as content reflecting protected classes under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination, materials produced by authors regardless of their protected class status, and materials containing authors' views on contemporary issues, while excluding age-inappropriate content. It creates procedures for challenging library materials, including review committees and requiring that challenged materials remain available until a final decision is made. The bill also provides legal protections for school library media specialists and librarians, granting them immunity from liability for good-faith actions and a civil cause of action against those who harass them for complying with the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to State workers in Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided essential frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by State agencies in consultation with the union president, with each eligible employee receiving a direct bonus payment. It specifically targets workers who maintained critical state operations amid pandemic challenges. The appropriation is supplemental to existing 2024-2025 funding and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryAJR 46 designates January of each year as "Hindu Heritage Month" in New Jersey to recognize the state's significant Hindu community. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring Hindu cultural contributions. It acknowledges New Jersey has the highest percentage of Hindus in the U.S. (about 3% of the population) and home to the world's largest Hindu temple in Robbinsville. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program that identifies and recruits unemployed individuals for jobs in healthcare facilities, home care services, and hospice care. It mandates that DOLWD evaluate whether training is practical for a specific role, considers job proximity and transportation options relative to an individual's home, and identifies barriers to immediate employment. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund to support training programs and resources for eligible individuals, leveraging existing DOLWD initiatives. It directly affects unemployed residents seeking healthcare sector employment and aims to streamline their transition into these roles through targeted recruitment and support.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility and from assisting federal immigration authorities. It requires government entities to adopt policies protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and shelters from immigration enforcement activities, ensuring immigrants can access public services without fear. The law mandates law enforcement training on these restrictions, prohibits detaining individuals based on immigration status, and requires annual reporting on interactions with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform immigrants of their rights under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities through labor organizations. The program requires labor unions to identify job pathways in their trades and develop plans for hiring returning citizens, directly benefiting individuals recently released from prison who face high barriers to employment. It aims to reduce recidivism by addressing a key factor cited in the bill: the lack of viable jobs for this population, which correlates with higher reoffending rates. The program operates under the State Employment and Training Commission and mandates consultation with labor organizations to create sustainable career opportunities. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers in New Jersey to give patients a clear, itemized billing statement within 30 days of discharge or 7 days after a written request. The statement must break down all charges in plain language - no vague terms like "miscellaneous" or "supply charges" - and list specific services, dates, provider names, costs, and payment status (e.g., covered by insurance or patient responsibility). It also mandates that providers explain technical terms and include a contact for billing disputes. These rules apply to hospitals, clinics, and health care professionals, directly affecting how patients receive and understand their medical bills.

Maddy summaryBill S 3407 requires that workers on projects financed through New Jersey's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program receive prevailing wage rates. The bill amends existing law to classify C-PACE financing as "authority financial assistance" subject to prevailing wage requirements under state law. This applies to all workers involved in construction and installation projects funded through the C-PACE program, including those for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resiliency improvements. The prevailing wage rate, determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, will apply to all such projects. The bill ensures workers on clean energy projects receive fair compensation aligned with local wage standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to temporarily appoint up to three additional members to the Board of Review, which handles unemployment benefit appeals. Appointments can be made through interim roles for State employees (who keep their primary jobs) or intermittent roles for non-State employees. If three additional members are appointed, the Board's membership increases to six, requiring the commissioner to form two independent panels from these six members to process appeals, with flexibility to reassign members as needed for operational efficiency. This change aims to improve the Board's capacity to manage appeal volumes without altering the Board's core responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2188, now P.L.2024, c.66) requires large public water systems (serving over 100 connections and using surface or groundwater) and certain buildings to prevent Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. It mandates maintaining minimum disinfectant levels (0.3 mg/L chlorine or 1.0 mg/L chloramine) and creating annual maintenance plans to reduce Legionella bacteria risks. Water systems must report disruptions to the state within 72 hours and implement flushing, testing, and infrastructure upgrades. The state will create a public dashboard showing disruption reports and adopt rules for compliance, with penalties for violations like failing to meet disinfectant standards. The law directly affects water system operators and building owners, aiming to improve water safety through specific, measurable requirements.