Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Initiative Foundation, reducing its board of trustees from 25 to 12 members. It requires the State to appropriate annual funds to support the foundation’s work, which focuses on promoting Black arts, history, and cultural heritage through specific activities like funding arts groups, expanding youth programs, and enhancing cultural tourism. The foundation will be governed by state officials, representatives from partner agencies (like the Arts Council and Historical Commission), and community members. Directly, it affects the foundation’s operations and the Black cultural community in New Jersey through its funded initiatives.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 2137 bill allows property owners, agents, or responsible persons to contract directly with private inspection agencies for construction code compliance inspections instead of relying solely on municipal enforcing agencies. The bill requires at least 24 hours' written notice for inspections, mandates inspections be completed within three business days, and permits private agencies to charge separate fees for their services. It also specifies that inspections must occur between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on business days unless an emergency requires otherwise, while maintaining existing rules for re-inspections and stop-work orders. This change affects all construction projects requiring code compliance across New Jersey, including new builds, renovations, and modifications to existing structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides financial adjustments for New Jersey state contractors who faced unexpected material cost increases exceeding 5% after awarding construction contracts. It directly affects contractors with pre-April 2020 bids for projects where materials were purchased after March 2020. The key mechanism allows contract price adjustments based on U.S. Department of Labor economic indices, requiring written applications with evidence and State Treasurer approval, while mandating downward adjustments if material costs later decrease. The relief applies only to contracts meeting these specific timing and cost thresholds and expires June 30, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows eligible New Jersey educators (K-12 teachers, counselors, principals) and paraprofessionals (school aides) to deduct up to $250 of unreimbursed classroom supply expenses from their gross income tax. It covers costs like books, computers, software, and classroom materials, but excludes nonathletic supplies for health or physical education classes. To qualify, individuals must work at least 900 hours annually in a New Jersey public or private elementary/secondary school. The deduction applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts receiving preschool education aid to place at least 50% of preschool students in licensed child care provider programs (like licensed daycare centers), with the remainder allowed in district-run programs or Head Start. It directly affects school districts that receive state preschool funding under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. Districts may apply for a waiver from this requirement if sufficient licensed child care placements aren't available within their district, but must provide justification to the Department of Education. The law takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A-2593 requires the Commissioner of Education to create a sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials. The training covers topics like gender/sexual orientation, race, disabilities, religious tolerance, unconscious bias, and diversity. Coaches, athletic directors, and sports officials must complete the training every four years (with new hires doing it in their first year), and officials must certify completion when applying for certification. This bill, currently introduced but not yet enacted, directly affects all public and nonpublic high school sports staff in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Trenton Makes Commission" within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to research and recommend strategies for supporting the state's manufacturing sector. The commission, composed of 13 members including appointments by the Governor, legislative leaders, and industry representatives (like the NJ Chamber of Commerce and manufacturing extension programs), will study how other states incentivize manufacturing. Its key duty is to identify cost-effective methods to attract new manufacturing businesses to New Jersey while strengthening existing ones, with a report due to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The commission itself does not implement policies but provides recommendations for potential future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for public universities in New Jersey to merge or consolidate with other public universities or certain private degree-granting institutions. It requires participating institutions to first obtain governing board resolutions and submit a joint application to the Secretary of Higher Education for preliminary approval within 30 days. The Secretary then reviews the merger plan (including impacts on students, faculty, and communities) and issues final approval or disapproval, after which the Legislature has 90 days to disapprove via concurrent resolution. If the Legislature takes no action, the merger proceeds. The process applies to most public institutions but excludes Rutgers and pre-existing merger agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 901, "Max's Law") requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health education for students in grades 6-12. Key provisions mandate teaching specific topics like abuse prevention, poisoning symptoms, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. The bill also requires the state education department to provide resources, maintain online materials for schools and parents, and submit annual reports on the curriculum's effectiveness. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278.