Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4652) creates a new offense for "inciting a public brawl" when someone purposefully organizes or promotes a group of four or more people to engage in disorderly conduct. It upgrades penalties for disrupting public gatherings or events, making such conduct a "disorderly persons offense" (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) instead of a lesser "petty disorderly persons offense." The bill also adds a provision penalizing people who conceal their identity during disorderly conduct to avoid arrest. These changes directly affect individuals organizing group disturbances or attempting to hide their identity at public events. The law amends New Jersey statutes N.J.S.2C:33-1 and N.J.S.2C:33-2.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a free Bereavement Counseling Program for family members and volunteer caregivers of veterans who died by suicide. Family members include spouses, parents, children, or household residents, while volunteer caregivers must be 18+ members of a qualified veterans' organization who provided non-paid counseling care for at least three months before the veteran's death. The program will allow applications up to five years after the veteran's death, with approved participants receiving up to 24 months of counseling (max 30 hours per year) through DMVA-matched clinicians. DMVA will provide application information via Veteran Service Officers and funeral directors when a veteran's suicide death is known, and clinicians must donate their time with no cost to participants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen pregnant individuals and those who have given birth within six weeks for preeclampsia when symptoms are present. Providers must use screening tools based on industry best practices, provide information on preeclampsia symptoms, and obtain written consent or refusal using a standardized form. The Commissioner of Health must develop an educational program about preeclampsia and its warning signs, and providers must create a treatment plan if a screening result is positive. The bill directly affects pregnant people and postpartum individuals in New Jersey who show symptoms of preeclampsia.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to meet specific experience and training standards. At least two members must have three years of professional experience in energy policy, infrastructure, or utility regulation, while at least one must have three years in consumer advocacy or ratepayer representation. All members must complete 12 hours of annual training on topics like energy market trends, grid modernization, and renewable energy policies from accredited sources. The bill also mandates that appointments consider geographic diversity across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to assess children's oral health using the Basic Screening Survey, developed by dental health professionals. It mandates DOH, with dental staff, to collect random data samples from every county biannually on oral health status of preschool and school-aged children, with parental consent required for any data collection. All data must comply with privacy laws, and DOH must submit biennial reports to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations. The survey is a screening tool to identify obvious dental issues, not a clinical exam or treatment plan. The bill directly affects children's oral health monitoring across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4857 extends the state's anti-SLAPP law to protect individuals who report sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination in good faith. This bill specifically covers people who make such reports under the Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.10:5-1 et seq.) or sexual offense laws (N.J.S.2C:24-4), even if no criminal case follows. Complainants can use anti-SLAPP procedures to quickly dismiss retaliatory lawsuits filed against them, and if successful, recover legal costs, attorney fees, and potentially damages. The law aims to reduce fear of retaliation that may prevent victims from reporting misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of rooming and boarding houses to follow local zoning, fire, health, and building regulations - previously exempt from such oversight. It specifically adds a requirement for cooperative sober living residences to submit written approvals from local authorities (zoning, fire, health, and building) when applying for a state Class F license. The bill amends existing law to explicitly subject these facilities to municipal land use regulations, removing an exemption that previously prevented such oversight. These changes directly affect property owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryAJR 62 designates the first week of May each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities promoting awareness of children's mental health. It aims to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment for children with mental health disorders, as highlighted in the bill's rationale about their vulnerability to school suspensions, substance use, and justice system involvement. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic annual observance.

Maddy summaryAJR 56 designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor older residents' contributions and encourage community recognition of their ongoing value. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies, but formally recognizes older Americans' roles in society, including their workforce participation and community engagement. This ceremonial designation aligns with the national observance established since 1980.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county boards of elections to extend the distance within which electioneering is prohibited from 100 feet to 200 feet outside polling places and ballot drop boxes. Currently, electioneering is prohibited within 100 feet of these locations, but this bill would give counties the discretion to expand that zone. County boards would be required to post clear notice of the extended prohibition before implementing it, including penalties for violations. Violating the extended prohibition would remain a disorderly persons offense, the same penalty as for the current 100-foot rule. The bill directly affects county election boards, voters, and individuals engaging in electioneering near voting locations.