Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill would have established criminal penalties (fourth-degree crimes) for employers who knowingly falsify payroll records required under New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act or make false statements on public works contractor registration forms. It directly affects employers working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements. Currently, such violations are punishable only as minor offenses (up to 90 days in jail), but this bill would have increased penalties to up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fines. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as part of P.L.2025, c.356, meaning the changes are now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to increase pay for direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide essential care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It directs the Department of Human Services to distribute state funds to employers (such as group homes or care agencies) to raise DSP wages for both current and new staff, addressing staffing shortages. Employers must use the funds solely to boost DSP pay, with the state establishing application rules and oversight. The bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A1124 requires applicants for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement to submit their application as part of their annual New Jersey gross income tax return, rather than as a separate filing. This change directly affects eligible claimants - seniors (65+), disabled individuals, or homeowners/renters meeting income limits ($92,969 or less gross income for 2022+ tax years) - who own or rent a primary residence in New Jersey. The bill amends existing law to integrate the reimbursement application process with the state income tax filing system. It does not alter eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, or income thresholds, only the submission method. This simplifies the process for applicants but does not change who qualifies for the reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 336), titled "Monica's Law," requires New Jersey courts to use evidence-based risk assessments in child custody cases where domestic violence is alleged. It mandates a standardized parenting time questionnaire for parents raising safety concerns and an evidence-based guide for judges to evaluate risks like prior violence, substance abuse, or child exposure. Courts must temporarily restrict parenting time while gathering information, then consider safety-focused alternatives like supervised visits or counseling. The law directly affects parents in custody disputes, courts making custody decisions, and children at potential risk from domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to form formal partnerships with businesses, community groups, healthcare facilities, universities, and other stakeholders to strengthen emergency responses during public health crises. It directs the DOH to identify critical resources and at-risk populations, then develop collaborative response plans, joint training exercises, and systems for sharing partnership data. The law mandates these partnerships to improve the state's ability to coordinate rapid, effective crisis management across multiple sectors. It directly affects the DOH, its partner organizations, and communities most vulnerable during emergencies like pandemics or natural disasters. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2066) establishes the "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" to provide competitive grants to public school districts, renaissance schools, and charter schools. The program funds three specific STEM education approaches: project-based learning, after-school STEM activities, and out-of-school STEM experiences. Schools applying must detail how funds will enhance existing programs or create new ones, recruit students, support educators, and ensure long-term sustainability. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding and are subject to annual state appropriations. The program runs for four years, with funding sourced from state appropriations and private donations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a central registry for newborns diagnosed with sickle cell trait (carrying one sickle cell gene, not the full disease) and requires health officials to notify parents about genetic counseling. It mandates that doctors inform parents about the risk of passing the trait to future children and the need for follow-up care. Parents will receive targeted notifications during early adolescence (regarding sports safety risks) and later adolescence (regarding reproductive planning), with similar outreach for patients turning 18. All registry information remains confidential, with penalties for unauthorized disclosure, including fines or imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to create a strategy reducing food waste by 50% by 2035 compared to 2022 levels. Districts must submit these strategies as amendments to their waste management plans, counting food donations, composting, and anaerobic digestion toward the goal. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must publish a list of actionable measures for districts (like donation programs, composting infrastructure, and public campaigns) and establish tiered regulations for composting facilities. The policy directly affects local waste management systems and aims to divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse volunteer firefighters for covered cancer screenings - such as for colon, lung, skin, and prostate cancers - every three years after five years of service, with no out-of-pocket costs. It treats volunteer firefighting service as a pre-existing condition for coverage, capping reimbursement at $1,250 per three-year period (adjusted for inflation). The program is funded by a 0.1% increase in the tax on fire insurance premiums, with dedicated revenue flowing into a non-lapsing state fund. It directly affects all volunteer firefighters in New Jersey who meet the service duration requirement.