Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 26) urges Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. It directly affects medical marijuana patients and businesses in New Jersey (and 37 other states) who face barriers due to federal classification, including lack of insurance coverage, banking restrictions, and high costs ($350-$500 monthly for patients). The resolution highlights that marijuana's Schedule I status conflicts with its accepted medical use in many states and scientific evidence of health benefits. It seeks to protect public safety by ending federal restrictions that force dispensaries to handle large cash amounts, increasing crime risks. The bill does not change current law but calls for congressional action to align federal policy with state legalization.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a New Jersey law requiring public school employees (including those in school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects) to live in the state. It removes this residency requirement for a three-year period, directly affecting all current and future public school staff in these institutions. The key mechanism is amending state law to exempt these employees from the residency rule, which previously mandated that their principal residence be in New Jersey. This change applies broadly to all public school positions without exception during the three-year term. The bill does not alter other existing residency requirements for state government employees or create new exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey high school students to complete a one-semester financial literacy course as part of their curriculum. The course must cover budgeting, savings, credit, debt, taxes, college financial planning, and other personal finance topics, while excluding primarily business or economic instruction. Teachers must hold specific endorsements (e.g., in Finance, Social Studies, or Business) to teach the course, and school districts must integrate it into graduation requirements for state-endorsed diplomas. The requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3445) requires publicly held corporations with their principal office in New Jersey to have boards of directors that reflect the racial and gender diversity of New Jersey by December 31, 2021. Corporations must use the most recent U.S. Census data to determine compliance, can add directors to meet the requirement, and must annually report director demographics to the Secretary of State. Failure to comply results in civil penalties of $100,000 for the first violation and $300,000 for subsequent violations. The Secretary of State must also annually report on compliance, corporate relocations, and companies no longer subject to the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to attract emerging technology businesses to designated urban areas. It provides grants covering cloud computing service costs for qualifying businesses that locate or maintain headquarters in specific "urban technology zones" (like Newark, Trenton, or certain cities meeting population criteria). To qualify, businesses must have 100 or fewer full-time employees, show 20% growth in staff or revenue, and commit to keeping their U.S. headquarters in the zone for five years total (two years during the grant period plus three additional years). The program aims to boost job creation and economic growth in New Jersey's urban cores by incentivizing tech companies to use cloud-based services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct part of their refund or add a contribution to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund." Funds collected would be distributed equally each year to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, to cover costs for low-income individuals seeking services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to pregnancy or pregnancy termination. It applies to tax returns for years beginning after enactment, with no requirement for taxpayer participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacies to provide written notice to their local municipality at least 90 days before closing, in addition to existing state and federal notification requirements. It directly affects pharmacy owners and local municipalities by giving communities advance warning of potential pharmacy closures. The key provision mandates that pharmacy permit holders or their authorized representatives send this written notice to the municipality's governing board 90 days prior to closure. The bill also directs the State Board of Pharmacy to create implementing rules, but does not change current state or federal closure notification processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1975, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.207) requires cosmetology, hairstyling, barbering, and hair braiding training programs to include specific instruction on working with textured hair. It directly affects licensed professionals in these fields, including cosmetologists, hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders who must complete state-approved training. The key provision amends existing licensing standards to mandate that training curricula cover techniques for textured hair care, ensuring new licensees are trained in this specific skill. The law applies to all training programs operating under the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals approved to relocate from underserved communities to maintain minimum services at their original location. Specifically, it mandates that hospitals must keep all required professional departments, inpatient beds, and core services (as defined by state regulations) at their original site under the same license. It applies to hospitals relocating from areas meeting specific medical need criteria, including those designated as medically underserved by federal and state standards. The law takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to relocations approved within the prior 12 months.