Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill replaces all references to "alien" and "illegal alien" in state laws with "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively. It directly affects state statutes covering inheritance, estates, and lottery prize distributions, as seen in amended sections like N.J.S.3B:5-12 and the lottery assignment rules. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update across all state laws and a prohibition on executive branch agencies using the outdated terms. The bill makes no new policy changes - it only updates language to align with current terminology. It is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires youth camps, recreation departments, and youth sports organizations (like Little League, soccer leagues, and police athletic leagues) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available on-site at all youth athletic events and practices held on their home fields. Organizations can comply if a certified first responder with an AED is present. The bill also provides legal immunity for organizations and their staff (including volunteers and coaches) who acquire or use AEDs under this requirement. These rules take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A-3322, the "Homeless Bill of Rights," prohibits discrimination against homeless residents in public spaces, services, employment, healthcare, voting, and privacy. It guarantees homeless individuals the same rights as other residents, including free movement in public areas, equal treatment by government agencies, protection from employment discrimination due to lack of permanent address, access to emergency medical care, and confidentiality of shelter records. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations and seek court-ordered remedies, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects all homeless residents in New Jersey by legally protecting their access to public life and services without housing status discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead companion animals. It mandates that veterinarians give owners a standard notification form detailing testing reasons, body handling protocols, and disposal rules (including that heads may not be returned after testing), along with a pamphlet explaining rabies vaccines and testing procedures. The pamphlet must be provided to owners when a rabies vaccine is administered, and veterinarians must display a related poster in their offices. The law applies to pet owners and veterinarians, with penalties for non-compliance, while also establishing optional mental health training for veterinary staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2 million grant program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans. It directs the state's Adjutant General to fund qualified veterans organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups or federally chartered veterans service organizations, including specific New Jersey groups) to contract with licensed mental health professionals. The program aims to expand access to mental health care for veterans through these designated community partners. The $2 million appropriation comes directly from the state General Fund and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of children a registered family day care provider may care for from five to ten at one time. It directly affects family day care providers who operate from their homes and are registered under New Jersey's Family Day Care Provider Registration Act. The key mechanism is amending the definition of "family day care home" to allow up to ten children, while requiring providers caring for more than five children to have at least one additional trained person present. This change updates existing registration rules without altering other licensing requirements for these providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school boards to directly employ certified professionals for most instructional and support roles, such as teachers and instructional staff, rather than contracting for these services. Boards may apply for Commissioner-approved exemptions to contract for specific personnel, including substitute teachers, staff for alternative education programs, and special education services, to address program needs. The bill also permits contracting for roles like those providing financial literacy instruction, individualized learning opportunities, or dual-enrollment courses without direct employment. These provisions aim to ensure certified staff directly serve students while allowing flexibility for essential program support.

Maddy summaryThis bill, if enacted, would allow 16- and 17-year-old New Jersey residents who are U.S. citizens and have lived in a school district for 30 days to vote **only** in local school board elections. It requires the Secretary of State to create a registration process and ballot design for these voters that mirrors the system used for other eligible voters. The bill explicitly states that 16- and 17-year-olds cannot vote in any other elections, such as for state or federal offices. School boards and municipalities would not be required to take any action to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a permanent unit within New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, transportation barriers, or financial constraints - covering roughly a quarter of New Jersey's adult population based on CDC data. The unit's core duties include assessing needs before/during/after emergencies, tracking resource availability, ensuring access to assistance, and coordinating with local emergency offices across all three regions. The unit would consist of one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to implement these responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs statewide. The 22-member commission - including state agency heads, legislative appointees, and representatives from child care organizations, schools, and advocacy groups - will assess current programs, develop statewide standards, examine funding sources, and evaluate program quality across urban, suburban, and rural districts. It must issue an interim report within one year and a final report within two years of forming, including recommendations for improving accountability and quality. The commission expires 30 days after submitting its final report, with no immediate funding or program changes enacted by this bill.