Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3426) sets new requirements for members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It mandates that at least two members have at least three years of professional experience in areas like energy policy, utility regulation, or infrastructure, while at least one member must have experience in consumer advocacy or ratepayer representation. The bill also requires BPU members to reside in diverse geographic areas across the state (urban, suburban, rural) and complete 12 hours annually of training on topics including energy markets, grid modernization, and utility rate-setting. All training must be documented and submitted to the Governor and Legislature each year.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1736) prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks or disguises during public interactions while performing official duties. It directly affects all state, county, and municipal officers authorized to enforce laws, including federal officers working in New Jersey. Key exceptions include undercover operations, face shields not hiding the face, medical masks with a doctor's note, and smoke protection during emergencies. Violations are classified as disorderly persons offenses, punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2119 requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish statewide standards for awarding college credit for prior learning at public colleges and universities. These standards mandate that institutions accept at least 15 credits of prior learning (including work experience, military training, or industry certifications) and create clear processes for assessing credit, transferring credits between schools, and resolving disputes. Public institutions must adopt policies aligned with these standards, either through partnerships with Thomas Edison State University or qualified third parties, while prohibiting per-credit tuition fees for this credit. The bill directly affects students seeking to earn degrees faster and public colleges, which must comply with these requirements starting in the next full academic year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1940) required manufacturers of menstrual products sold in New Jersey to list all non-confidential ingredients on product packaging and their websites, with ingredients ordered by quantity. It applied to all menstrual products - like tampons, pads, cups, and underwear - packaged for individual retail sale, giving manufacturers 18 months to comply after the law took effect. Manufacturers could exclude confidential business information but had to list it by common name. Non-compliant products faced civil penalties of up to $1,000 per package, based on 1% of annual in-state sales. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.232 and enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private correctional facilities - including juvenile facilities - to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated adults and juveniles. It prohibits facilities from charging inmates or their families any fees (including per-minute charges, surcharges, or account fees), ensuring both parties to communications bear no cost. The law also mandates that facilities maintain current service access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 17 designates July each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects - conditions affecting about 1 in 1,700 U.S. babies - which can cause feeding, speech, and dental challenges. It encourages New Jersey community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to collaborate on education, outreach, and research to support affected families and advance understanding of these conditions. The bill is procedural, requesting the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize the month.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to offer hepatitis B and C blood testing to every new inmate at the start of their sentence. Inmates cannot be forced to take the test, but facilities must provide the option. The Commissioner of Corrections must create implementing rules within six months of the bill's enactment. This directly affects all individuals entering state or county correctional facilities by expanding access to preventative health screenings during incarceration.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Education to help public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools provide connected devices (like laptops or tablets), Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile internet access, and related equipment to students lacking them during remote learning. The grants cover full costs for devices per student, internet access per household, device accessories (e.g., cases, headsets), and insurance for theft or damage, funded primarily by federal pandemic relief funds like the CARES Act. Schools must return equipment within five days after remote instruction ends, use 95% of funds for devices (with 5% for family training on internet safety), and report on purchased items and remaining access gaps within one year. The program directly supports students and families affected by the digital divide during school closures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey state government to appropriate a minimum of $10 million annually from the General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding. It directly affects local health departments across New Jersey, which currently rely on property taxes and restricted state/federal funds for specific services like vaccines or environmental health. The funding would provide dedicated, unrestricted resources to cover operational costs and support core public health programs, rather than being tied to specific purposes. This establishes a mandatory annual appropriation starting July 1 after the bill's effective date, restoring a funding mechanism eliminated in 2011.