Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to use the Basic Screening Survey (developed by dental directors' associations) to assess oral health in pre-school and school-aged children across all counties. It mandates biannual collection of random data samples from each county, with parental consent required for any data collection, and requires all data to comply with privacy laws. The Department must submit biennial reports to the Governor and Legislature containing findings and recommendations based on this data. The survey is designed to identify major oral health issues through basic screenings - not clinical diagnoses - and applies directly to children in New Jersey public health assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to follow strict rules when using automated license plate readers (ALPRs). It prohibits unauthorized access or use of ALPR data (a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine) and mandates annual audits to ensure ALPRs are used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. Agencies must submit detailed annual reports to the Attorney General covering device counts, data readings, storage, data requests (including out-of-state/federal), and security breaches. Finally, it sets a two-year mandatory retention period for ALPR data (with limited early purging allowed for cost reasons) and requires date stamps on transferred data to maintain compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical emergency supplies, managed by New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in coordination with the Division of Purchase and Property. During a public health emergency, the stockpile will be provided free of charge to public schools, state hospitals, and state nursing homes, while remaining supplies may be sold at market price to other entities. The bill also requires an online donation portal for emergency supplies and mandates OEM to streamline procurement processes by centralizing contracts, reducing administrative burdens, and pre-establishing vendor agreements. These changes aim to improve the state's rapid access to essential supplies during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides a tax credit for businesses that retrofit existing warehouses (at least 100,000 sq ft used for storage) with designated solar-ready zones. The credit, capped at $250,000 per warehouse or 50% of retrofit costs, is only available after solar panels are actually installed on the prepared zone. Businesses can claim this credit for up to eight qualifying warehouses in a single tax year. The program has a total funding limit of $25 million across all claims, and the state tax authority must verify solar panel installation before issuing credits. It aims to incentivize solar infrastructure in commercial storage facilities through direct financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new sentencing consideration in New Jersey for defendants who were victims of abuse. It allows courts to weigh whether a defendant was subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse (including domestic violence) that contributed to their crime, applying to most offenses except murder or certain sex offenses requiring registration. The court must consider evidence of the abuse presented during trial or plea proceedings - even if the defendant didn’t raise it as a defense - and may reduce sentences or order resentencing for eligible individuals. This change aims to account for trauma-driven criminal behavior in sentencing decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $175 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Human Services for Emergency SNAP Replacement Benefits during fiscal year 2026. It directly affects approximately 800,000 New Jersey residents who rely on SNAP benefits, providing monthly replacement payments when their federal SNAP allotment falls short of their certified benefit amount. The replacement benefits, issued via the existing SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer system, cover the difference to restore full monthly benefits, while state rules and food-purchasing restrictions remain unchanged. The state will seek reimbursement from the federal government by June 30, 2026, for all funds used under this provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "Islamophobia" for New Jersey state law as a form of racism targeting Muslim identity or perceived Muslim identity, including discrimination, stereotyping, harassment, or violence against Muslims or Muslim-majority communities. It requires state officials and law enforcement to use this definition when reviewing civil or criminal cases involving anti-Muslim bias. The definition explicitly excludes criticism of Muslim-majority countries similar to criticism of other nations. The bill does not override First Amendment protections or existing anti-discrimination laws. This is New Jersey's first state-level definition of Islamophobia, adopted to standardize responses to anti-Muslim hate incidents.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2091) protects students enrolled in private career programs by prohibiting deceptive practices by "covered schools" (nonpublic postsecondary institutions offering career training). It bans false claims about job placement, earnings, or program requirements, requires schools to disclose program costs and completion time upfront, and restricts schools from secretly profiting through preferred lender arrangements. The law directly affects students in these private career programs and holds schools accountable for transparency in advertising and financial disclosures. It does not apply to public colleges or universities.