Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health club contracts from limiting the club's liability for injuries caused by the club's negligence (such as unsafe equipment or staff errors). It directly affects health club members who suffer injuries due to the club's own careless actions. The key provision requires all health club service contracts to include a clear statement that the club cannot avoid responsibility for such negligence-related injuries. This aligns with prior court rulings that such liability waivers violate public policy. The bill does not change other contract terms like refunds or cancellation policies.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Bill This bill amends the "Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act" (CREAMMA) and the "Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act" with several significant changes: ## Key Provisions: 1. **Municipal Medical Cannabis Limitations**: - Municipalities cannot prohibit medical cannabis dispensaries (operating without violations for 180 days) from selling adult-use cannabis at the same location - The Cannabis Regulatory Commission cannot require municipal approval for Class 5 Retailer Licenses for medical cannabis dispensaries co-located with existing medical facilities 2. **Application Processing Changes**: - Requires the commission to make a final decision on applications within 30 days after stating it needs more time to review (previously open-ended) - Eliminates the point scale system for ranking applicants - Removes requirements for submitting business plans and liability insurance plans 3. **Municipal Ordinance Portal**: - Requires the commission to create a public online portal for all cannabis-related municipal ordinances - Municipalities must submit their regulations to the commission for inclusion 4. **Family Involvement**: - Prohibits the commission from banning family members (other than spouses) of license applicants from obtaining their own licenses (invalidating N.J.A.C.17:30-6.8) 5. **Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs)**: - Permits ATCs to redesignate medical cannabis to adult-use cannabis at any point in the supply chain, provided they hold the appropriate license at that point 6. **Other Changes**: - Allows the commission to give applicants more than 45 days to comply with additional conditions - Removes requirements for special consideration of higher education curriculum agreements - Clarifies ownership restrictions for cannabis businesses during a 24-month transition period This bill aims to streamline the licensing process, increase access to cannabis retail for medical dispensaries, reduce regulatory burdens, and create greater transparency with municipal cannabis regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5324) requires all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to report specific use-of-force incidents to county prosecutors within 24 hours. It defines "law enforcement incidents" as officer use of force causing death or serious injury, deadly force (including firearm discharge), or civilian deaths during encounters or in custody. The county prosecutor must immediately notify the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), which must select an independent investigator within 24 hours to conduct the investigation per Attorney General guidelines. The bill codifies existing Attorney General directives for these investigations, applying directly to law enforcement agencies and OPIA.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in New Jersey while their New Jersey licensure applications are being processed. It applies to a wide range of professionals including physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and other health care practitioners. The bill requires these professionals to immediately notify New Jersey authorities if their out-of-state license is suspended or disciplined, with a $500 daily penalty for failing to provide this notice. It also establishes temporary licenses for recent health care graduates (within six months of graduation) to practice under supervision while awaiting full licensure.

Maddy summary# Public Advocate Restoration Act of 2018 - Summary This bill would restore the Department of the Public Advocate as a principal department in New Jersey's Executive Branch. The document details a comprehensive restoration of the department, which was first established in 1974, abolished in 1994, restored in 2005, and then abolished again in 2010. ## Key Provisions The restored Department of the Public Advocate would consist of seven divisions and one office: 1. **Division of Administration** - Would prepare the department's budget, fulfill personnel requirements, and conduct relevant research. 2. **Division of Citizen Relations** - Would receive and investigate complaints about agency actions, and would include: - Corrections Ombudsperson (previously in the Department of the Treasury) - Dispute Settlement Office (previously in the Office of the Public Defender) 3. **Division of Mental Health Advocacy** - Would advocate for mental health rights. 4. **Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled** - Would promote and ensure adequate care for persons with developmental disabilities. 5. **Division of Rate Counsel** - Would represent public interest in utility and service rate proceedings. 6. **Division of Public Interest Advocacy** - Would represent public interest in administrative and court proceedings. 7. **Division of Elder Advocacy** - Would represent interests of elderly adults (including the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman, previously in the Department of the Treasury). 8. **Office of the Child Advocate** - Would be established within the department but remain independent of supervision and control by the department. ## Leadership Structure - The department would be headed by a Public Advocate, appointed by the Governor to serve during the Governor's term of office. - The Public Advocate would have the authority to appoint division directors, office directors, and ombudspersons. - An Assistant Public Advocate would be appointed to serve during the absence or disability of the Public Advocate. ## Key Philosophy The bill emphasizes that the primary duty of all staff members is to the individual client, with the same protections as private legal representation. It also establishes strong attorney-client and work product privileges for the department. ## Significance This bill would restore a critical government department focused on advocating for vulnerable populations including the indigent, elderly, children, and those with mental health and developmental disabilities. It aims to consolidate previously diffuse advocacy functions into a single, more effective department. The bill is based on P.L.2005, c.155, which was the previous restoration of the Department of the Public Advocate before it was abolished again in 2010.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey's existing law requiring private career schools to have orderly closure plans - including a teach-out plan for student transfers - applies to cosmetology and hairstyling schools licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. It mandates the Board to develop a standard model teach-out plan by September 1, 2023, to help students transfer to another school if their program closes abruptly. The law applies retroactively to September 1, 2021, ensuring these schools must now comply with closure requirements for all closures occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification process for shampoo technicians in New Jersey, who provide basic hair washing services (like shampooing and conditioning) in licensed salons but do not pursue a full cosmetology license. To become certified, individuals must complete a 40-hour training program approved by the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (either through a licensed school or a licensed shop) and pass a practical exam. The State Board issues a biennial certification requiring reasonable fees for initial certification, renewal, and reactivation after expiration (with reactivation after 10+ years requiring retaking the exam). The bill also prohibits examiners affiliated with a school from grading students from that same school and sets standards for training providers and examiners.

Maddy summary# Summary This bill renames the Juvenile Justice Commission as the Youth Justice Commission and updates all statutory references from the "New Jersey Code of Juvenile Justice" to the "New Jersey Code of Youth Justice." The sponsor's intent is to better reflect the commission's mission to assist and rehabilitate court-involved youth and provide programs, support, and opportunities designed to help youth grow, thrive, and become independent, productive, and law-abiding citizens. The bill also includes numerous amendments to the laws governing the commission, including provisions related to mental health screening in juvenile detention facilities, room restriction policies, data collection requirements, education programs, and staffing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who left school due to military service, including active duty in the Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve. Schools must reinstate these students with the same academic standing they held before their service interruption and grant readmission for the next available semester upon written request. The bill prohibits institutions from charging application or other fees for these readmission requests. It takes effect immediately, applying to the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3791, the "New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act") permits sheriffs and authorized officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property through online auctions, replacing in-person sales. Key provisions require online sales to display bids publicly in real-time, cap vendor fees at $1,000 per sale (including a $50 processing fee), and mandate a non-electronic bidding option (e.g., paper bids). It affects homeowners facing foreclosure, lenders seeking recovery, and sheriffs managing sales by adding online sales as an authorized method while maintaining traditional notice requirements. The bill does not change foreclosure timelines but aims to increase bidder participation and potentially higher sale prices for debtors and creditors.