Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane above specific trace levels. It sets a maximum limit of 10 parts per million (ppm) for cosmetics and 2 ppm for personal care products (reducing to 1 ppm after two years), with the Department of Environmental Protection establishing these standards. Manufacturers may apply for a one-year waiver if they've reduced 1,4-dioxane levels but cannot comply, with a possible second waiver. The law takes effect one year after enactment, directly affecting product sellers and manufacturers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" and appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to support New Jersey's 24-hour confidential Cop 2 Cop hotline program for law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. The program provides immediate crisis intervention, referrals to counseling services, and maintains strict confidentiality for callers experiencing psychological distress, trauma, or stress related to their work. Currently funded by up to $400,000 yearly from Body Armor Replacement Funds, this bill adds a dedicated, non-lapsing funding source to ensure the program's long-term stability. The hotline remains operated by Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and does not alter existing services or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update statewide policies for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: whether recording undercover investigations protects victims and investigation integrity, strict rules for sharing such recordings, and involving county prosecutors early in cases. The policy review must address these points to better protect victims and support law enforcement. The bill responds to a 2024 commission report on human trafficking in New Jersey's massage industry and applies directly to county/municipal law enforcement and victims of trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill would increase New Jersey jury pay from $5 to $40 per day for all grand and petit jurors, replacing the current rate. It adds travel reimbursement (based on standard mileage for cars or actual fares for public transit) and toll reimbursements for jurors traveling to court. Private employers with 10 or more employees would be required to pay up to five days' salary during jury duty, without using the employee’s paid time off. The bill appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to cover these new costs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the Banking and Insurance Commissioner to investigate how auto insurance companies set rates for drivers with license suspensions. The probe will compare premium increases for suspensions related to driving (like DUIs) versus non-driving offenses (like unpaid tickets), and evaluate whether credit scores or addresses justify higher rates. The commissioner must submit findings to lawmakers within two years, detailing if these factors are reasonable. This directly affects drivers with suspensions and insurers determining their premiums in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million annual "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" within New Jersey's Department of State, funded by the State General Fund. The fund will be invested, with all interest earnings added back to support efforts to ensure every resident is counted during each federal decennial census. It directly affects New Jersey's population counting process, which determines federal funding for schools, infrastructure, and services. The Department of State will use these funds to support state, local, and community organizations working to achieve a full census count.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a single online application portal for New Jersey residents to pre-apply for multiple affordable housing options (rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing) across the state. It consolidates 10 separate housing subsidy programs - including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and homeless prevention programs - into one application that can determine final eligibility. The portal will let applicants select specific municipalities or regions and replace the current system where residents must submit duplicate applications for each program. This change aims to simplify the process for low-income residents seeking housing assistance.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2200) mandates that health insurers cover home blood pressure monitoring for pregnant patients diagnosed with preeclampsia. It requires insurers to provide validated home blood pressure monitors and reimburse healthcare providers for training patients on device use, data transmission, and interpretation. The law directly affects pregnant individuals in New Jersey with preeclampsia and all health insurers offering coverage in the state. Key provisions define "validated monitors" as devices listed in the U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing and specify that this coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions. The bill aims to improve maternal outcomes by ensuring access to home monitoring for a condition affecting 5-8% of pregnant New Jersey women annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale of flavored cigarettes (except tobacco, clove, or menthol) and all flavored vapor products in New Jersey. It directly affects retail stores selling these products by requiring local health agencies to inspect them at least twice yearly. Retailers violating the flavor ban face escalating civil penalties ($250-$1,000 for cigarettes; $500-$2,000 for vapor products) and possible license suspension or revocation after repeated offenses. Violations also allow for seized products to be destroyed and fines paid to the municipality where the violation occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, providing up to $4,000 in tuition, book, and fee assistance to eligible high school graduates attending county colleges. To qualify, students must earn a School Counts certificate by maintaining 95% attendance, achieving a C average or higher, completing Algebra I, and meeting graduation requirements during high school. The scholarship covers costs after other financial aid is applied, requires full-time enrollment (24+ credits annually), and must be used within six months of high school graduation. County colleges can receive state matching funds if they raise private donations to support student scholarships.