Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Medical Debt Homestead Protection Act," protects New Jersey residents from losing their primary home due to medical debt. It allows any person aged 18 or over living in New Jersey to exempt one home (a traditional house, condo/co-op, or manufactured home with land) from being seized or sold if a court judgment is issued for unpaid medical bills. The exemption applies only to medical debt judgments, not other debts, and limits each person to protecting just one residence. This change takes effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired teachers who left the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to return to public school teaching for up to two years without rejoining the pension fund. School boards must prove they searched for other candidates and that the retired teacher is the only qualified person, and the teacher’s salary must be 40-70% of the median teacher pay in that district. Retired teachers rehired under this bill receive a 50% tax deduction on their rehired salary, with the remaining income taxed at a flat 1.4% rate (instead of standard rates), provided the retirement was genuine and not prearranged. The bill explicitly prohibits tenure or seniority rights during this reemployment period.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3106) requires New Jersey's Director of Purchase and Property to review state purchasing practices for menstrual products and establish a centralized contract to reduce costs for state agencies. It mandates that the director, at a state department's request, advertise for and award a statewide contract for menstrual products (including pads, tampons, and cups), making it available to all state agencies and cooperative purchasing participants like schools and local governments. Non-profits may also purchase under this contract at the director’s discretion, subject to reporting requirements. The bill focuses solely on streamlining state procurement, not on providing free products to individuals.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 2136 creates new criminal penalties for unlicensed marijuana sales and purchases. It makes it a third-degree crime (up to 5 years in prison or $15,000 fine) for owners of unlicensed businesses that manufacture, distribute, or dispense marijuana, and a second-degree crime (up to 10 years or $150,000 fine) for leaders of multi-location illegal networks. The bill also imposes a misdemeanor charge (up to 6 months or $1,000 fine) for knowingly buying marijuana from unlicensed businesses. Enforcement allows state police and the Attorney General to shut down violating businesses and seize illegally sold marijuana. This bill supplements existing law (CREAMMA) by adding specific penalties for unlicensed commercial activity, not personal use.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create a model ordinance for siting warehouses (like distribution centers) and update local zoning rules to align with it. Municipalities must adopt these model rules when updating their master plans and zoning, with the state providing $5 million in funding through the Department of Community Affairs to support this transition. The law directly affects local governments, which will need to revise their land-use regulations to incorporate the new warehouse siting standards. It aims to standardize warehouse development planning while giving communities flexibility to adapt the model to local needs.

Maddy summaryAJR 112 establishes a 11-member Commission to review how pandemic-related rules and orders (like Executive Order 103) affected small businesses in New Jersey. The Commission, appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker, will analyze impacts on small businesses (defined as having ≤100 full-time employees), investment, economic growth, and recovery. It must hold at least three public hearings and issue reports with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature after each meeting. The Commission expires when the state’s public health emergency ends. This resolution does not create new laws but mandates a review of existing pandemic policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires campus police officers at New Jersey schools to wear body cameras that record audio and video during official duties, with specific exceptions (like undercover work or medical emergencies). It directly affects campus police officers employed under New Jersey law (P.L.1970, c.211) who serve at public or private K-12 schools, youth facilities, or college campuses. Cameras must be activated during public encounters or calls for service but can be deactivated under limited circumstances, such as when minors are present, for medical requests, or per superior officer direction. Funding may come from forfeiture funds, federal grants, or other sources, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1321) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to revise its Pandemic Influenza Plan to better prepare for large-scale, long-running flu pandemics. The revision must address federal public health standards, clarify roles for all state agencies during emergencies, improve coordination with local health departments, establish crisis healthcare standards, and address health equity gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH must solicit input from local health departments and stakeholders before updating the plan, which will be regularly reviewed and used to design emergency training exercises. The plan directly affects state agencies, local health departments, and healthcare systems responding to pandemic emergencies in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the title of the "Chief Diversity Officer" to "Chief Supplier Development Officer" within the Department of the Treasury and creates the New Jersey Office of Supplier Development and Business Opportunities. It requires all state agencies and contracting units to collect and report detailed procurement data - including contract awards to certified businesses like minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises - to this office. The office will analyze the data, monitor compliance with contracting goals, provide training to agencies, and develop a cloud-based system to track contracts. This directly affects state agencies responsible for purchasing goods/services and certified businesses seeking state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water suppliers in New Jersey to immediately notify local governments and schools whenever a serious drinking water violation occurs under federal EPA rules. Specifically, suppliers must contact municipal officials and school administrators (including charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges) via phone and email within the affected area. The notification must detail the contaminant, test results, locations of violations, and suggested remedies for affected customers. It applies to all public water systems and ensures transparency about water safety issues impacting communities and educational institutions.