Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 23 of each year as "Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency Awareness Day" in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with this rare genetic disorder, their families, and the medical community by establishing an annual date for public awareness. The resolution requests the governor to issue a proclamation encouraging citizens and organizations to participate in awareness activities on this day. The bill aims to educate the public about AADC deficiency, a condition that impacts motor skills, development, and communication in affected patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts how certain constitutionally dedicated cigarette tax revenues are allocated for Fiscal Year 2026 and future years, directing five percent of those funds to a new Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund. It also authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust and local governments to purchase land in urban areas specifically for agricultural or horticultural use. Additionally, the bill establishes a process where the Garden State Preservation Trust will annually review funding needs for conservation, farmland preservation, and historic preservation programs and can recommend changes to funding allocations to legislative committees. These changes aim to support urban agriculture initiatives while maintaining oversight over how state preservation funds are distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March as "Blood Clot Awareness Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about the risks, signs, and symptoms of blood clots. It directly affects all New Jersey residents by encouraging them to learn about prevention measures and seek medical attention when symptoms appear. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and promotes educational activities to help people recognize conditions like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This symbolic measure aims to support the National Blood Clot Alliance's efforts without changing any laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new flooring installations in schools, community centers, and licensed child care centers to be certified mercury-free by the manufacturer. It applies to all facilities using identified mercury-risk flooring materials, including existing buildings where such flooring was installed before current occupancy. Key provisions mandate certification for permits, require air quality testing if mercury is detected, and obligate owners to implement mitigation or remove unsafe flooring within six months if tests exceed safety thresholds. Violations by manufacturers issuing false certifications carry civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory collaboration requirements between advanced practice nurses (APNs) and physicians in New Jersey. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with advanced certifications who provide primary and specialty care - by allowing them to practice independently without physician supervision or joint protocols. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 other states that grant full practice authority. This change aims to expand healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by enabling APNs to work to the full extent of their training.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to reveal their facial identity during public interactions (except during undercover operations, medical mask use with physician approval, or smoke exposure during emergencies) and to present valid identification before detaining or arresting someone. Officers must show a uniform with agency insignia, a photo ID card, a numbered badge, or verbally state their name and agency. It applies to all state, county, municipal, and federal officers performing public duties, with exemptions for safety risks, ongoing investigations, or stealth operations. The law aims to increase transparency during police encounters while allowing necessary operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a five-year pilot program to establish community schools in New Jersey, which are public schools that partner with local organizations to provide integrated student supports, expanded learning time, family engagement, and collaborative leadership. The program will be managed by an external nonprofit or university organization selected by the state, which will provide training, technical assistance, and site coordinators to help schools implement community school models. Each county will have one public school assigned a site coordinator to oversee services and outreach, while the program will also develop statewide criteria for school selection and share best practices through a technical assistance center. The initiative directly affects school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools by offering them resources and support to coordinate educational, health, and family services for students and families year-round.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail food stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms from charging different prices for the same products based on surveillance data collected about individual shoppers (like tracking behavior or location). It defines "surveillance-based price setting" as using such data to customize prices, making it unlawful except for specific cases like cost-based differences or clearly disclosed group discounts (e.g., for veterans or loyalty program members). Stores must clearly disclose eligibility for discounts and cannot use surveillance data for profiling or targeted advertising beyond administering discounts. The law directly affects grocery retailers, delivery apps, and consumers purchasing food items, aiming to prevent price discrimination using personal data.

Maddy summaryThis bill introduces a 10 percent surtax on electric public utilities in New Jersey that earn more than $10 million in taxable net income, targeting companies with high profits. The tax applies to utility providers subject to the state's Corporation Business Tax and is calculated based on their allocated taxable net income for privilege periods starting after the bill's enactment. Revenues collected from this surtax, excluding amounts reserved for open space and historic preservation, will be directed to the Board of Public Utilities to fund programs that assist low-income residential customers with utility bills. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Board of Public Utilities from approving any rate increases that would include the costs associated with complying with this new tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Youth Detention Task Force in New Jersey to evaluate the current state of youth detention and recommend a system that best serves young people. The task force will consist of 25 members, including legislators, state officials, and public representatives from various organizations, who will examine factors like safety, resources, and rehabilitation opportunities. Members will meet to conduct reviews and public hearings, ultimately submitting a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The act expires 30 days after the report is submitted, and task force members serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursements.