Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey's private career school closure requirements - including the need for a plan to transfer students and provide transcripts - apply to cosmetology and hairstyling schools licensed by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling. It requires the Board to develop a standard model teach-out plan for these schools to use when submitting closure plans to the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The model ensures students can transfer to another school and receive their academic records if a school closes abruptly, addressing gaps seen in past closures like Capri Institute. This change extends existing protections for students at other private career schools to cosmetology and hairstyling programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to grant up to 10 excused absences per school year for students experiencing symptoms of specific menstrual disorders, including dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, menorrhagia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Students must be allowed to make up missed work, and these absences cannot count toward chronic absenteeism or affect attendance-based awards. Schools may request medical documentation to verify the condition, and the state education commissioner must develop criteria for defining these absences. The policy directly affects menstruating students in public schools who manage these health conditions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's "Packaging and Paper Product Stewardship Act" (A-3744) requires producers of packaging and paper products sold in the state to manage the end-of-life disposal of these items through mandatory stewardship plans. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of packaging (like food containers, bags, and beverage containers) and paper products (excluding books and non-recyclable items), shifting responsibility for waste management from taxpayers to producers. Key mechanisms include creating "environmentally sound" recycling, composting, or reuse systems via producer groups (PROs) or individual plans, setting annual recycling rate targets, and prioritizing waste management in "overburdened communities." The bill defines specific terms like composting (excluding wastewater treatment) and recycling to ensure waste is handled safely and effectively, without relying on incineration or landfill disposal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public high schools (grades 9-12) to display a specific human trafficking awareness sign in a clearly visible location for students, staff, and parents. The sign, developed under existing law, must be at least 8.5x11 inches, printed in 16-point font in both English and Spanish, and include the national human trafficking hotline number. The requirement applies immediately to schools enrolling students in those grades.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member "Police Body Camera Implementation Task Force" to study and recommend best practices for body cameras used by law enforcement in New Jersey. The task force, including representatives from police unions, civil rights groups, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, will examine implementation requirements and rules for accessing body camera recordings. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by December 30, 2021. The bill does not mandate body cameras but aims to inform future policy decisions affecting law enforcement agencies and public safety practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local governments and state agencies from approving new large warehouse construction (100,000+ sq. ft. storage facilities) on land within 1,000 feet of designated historic districts. It directly affects developers seeking permits for such warehouses near historic areas, with exceptions for specific redevelopment projects under existing law. The bill allows planning boards to grant waivers if developers request them, but requires approval before permits can be issued. It takes effect immediately for new applications not yet approved by the enforcing agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new contracting goals for New Jersey state agencies to increase participation by minority and women-owned businesses, based on a 2024 disparity study showing ongoing statistical gaps in public contracting. It requires state agencies and prime contractors to make a "good faith effort" to meet specific targets - 7% for minority-owned businesses and 3% for women-owned businesses - across construction, professional services, and goods/services contracts. The law defines key terms like "minority business" and references the 2024 disparity study as the basis for these goals, which replace previous race-neutral approaches. The bill is pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill shifts the cost of state-appointed school district monitors from local school districts to the State of New Jersey. When a district faces fiscal issues like audit failures, deficits, or repeated financial problems, the Commissioner of Education can appoint a State monitor to oversee finances, staffing, and operations. The bill requires the State to cover all costs - including the monitor's salary and related staff expenses - instead of forcing financially strained districts to pay these costs themselves. This change directly affects school districts in fiscal distress, preventing them from using limited funds to cover oversight costs while addressing budget crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily credit for incarceration toward unpaid court debts from $50 to $90 per day. It directly affects individuals who default on court-imposed financial obligations, including fines, fees, restitution, or child support payments. The key provision amends New Jersey law to provide greater credit for each day served in jail due to nonpayment, reducing the total amount owed more quickly. This change applies to cases where incarceration results from failure to pay court-ordered financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Senate Journals, Assembly Minutes, and their index lists to be published online by the Office of Legislative Services instead of being printed as bound volumes. It mandates that these records be available on the legislative website immediately after preparation, while allowing up to 10 physical copies to be printed upon request by Senate or Assembly leadership. The bill also maintains the requirement for originals to be electronically submitted to the Secretary of State's office. This change directly affects how legislative records are accessed and distributed to the public and officials.