Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 587) proposes the "Succeed in New Jersey" program, which would provide student loan reimbursement to eligible New Jersey residents working in designated fields. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 3 months, hold a U.S. undergraduate degree from 2014 onward, have an income under 500% of federal poverty guidelines, and work full-time in one of five fields identified by the Department of Labor as having workforce needs or providing public benefit. Reimbursement would cover up to $6,000 annually (based on income tier) for a maximum of three years, with total state spending capped at $10 million yearly. The program requires participants to maintain NJ residency, stay current on loans, and verify employment annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public exposure to lead in soil and drinking water. The plan must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing, and private well results to identify high-risk geographic areas and prioritize public funds for remediation. It also mandates the DEP to develop a public education program about lead health risks and prevention measures. The plan must be posted online, submitted to the legislature, and updated every five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for when New Jersey state and local agencies contract with private companies to replace public employees providing services (e.g., sanitation, maintenance). It requires agencies to use competitive bidding for contracts over $500,000 (local) or $1 million (state), prove substantial cost savings, and ensure services maintain current quality and pricing. Key provisions include mandating public disclosure of bid details, requiring contractors to match public employee wages/benefits, and demanding quarterly public reports on service quality and costs. Contracts must not increase fees for the public or reduce service standards, and agencies must retain the ability to reclaim services if needed. Exclusions cover emergency contracts, IT services, and certain rehabilitation programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a training program for municipal police departments to manage large gatherings (over 500 people) and "flash mobs" (50+ people organized via social media without advance notice, impacting safety). The training covers crowd control techniques, juvenile-specific approaches, social media response strategies, and inter-agency coordination. It also establishes protocols allowing local police to request state resources like mobile command units, social media monitoring tools, and additional personnel during such events. The bill, now effective as part of P.L.2025, c.246, directly affects municipal police departments across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) grants to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Secretary before the academic year starts, which reduces their regular academic year disbursement by a specific amount. The Secretary must annually report how many students used the summer option and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. It directly affects EOF grant recipients at participating New Jersey institutions, implementing a 2016 commission recommendation to improve college affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law (P.L.1995, c.63) that prohibited public colleges from adding funds for legislative agents or organizations to student tuition bills. It directly affects students at New Jersey public colleges, removing a restriction that previously barred mandatory assessments for groups seeking to influence legislation. The repealed law had allowed optional student fees for nonpartisan legislative organizations only if approved by a student referendum, with specific disclosure requirements. This bill eliminates that requirement, allowing institutions to assess funds for legislative activities without those restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public bodies in New Jersey to set aside 0.5% of state or public funds used for construction projects over $1 million (or any project funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) to support outreach and training programs for minorities and women in the construction industry. The funds must be used to create apprenticeships, provide job training, and offer supportive services to help these groups enter and advance in construction trades, including engineering and management roles. Programs will be implemented through grants to community organizations, labor groups, educational institutions, and other local partners. Public bodies must annually report on fund usage and outcomes, such as employment rates, earnings, and retention for participants in these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1408) amends New Jersey law to require human trafficking awareness signs at specific establishments - including massage businesses, hotels, airports, hospitals, and transportation hubs - to include Chinese and Korean translations, in addition to English and Spanish. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, printed in 16-point font, and displayed in visible locations like restrooms and dressing rooms. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The change responds directly to a 2024 Commission of Investigation report on human trafficking in New Jersey’s massage industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now law as P.L.2025, c.272, provides employment protections for New Jersey paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against employees who take leave for qualifying PTSD treatment, requiring reinstatement to their previous position after documented recovery. Employers violating these protections face civil fines ($5,000 for first violation, $10,000 for subsequent), court-ordered reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees. The law applies only when PTSD arises from on-the-job trauma or vicarious trauma experienced during official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires four-year public colleges in New Jersey to create and maintain a reproductive health services plan for students, while county colleges must establish a referral network to off-campus reproductive health providers. The plan must ensure access to contraception (including emergency contraception via vending machines or 24-hour options), STI/HIV testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion services through campus clinics or verified referrals. It specifically addresses student barriers like limited pharmacy access and lack of transportation by mandating campus-based options and community referrals. The bill does not require institutions to directly provide abortion services but ensures students can access care through structured pathways.