Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to follow specific steps when a student's meal bill is unpaid. Districts must first try to enroll students in free or reduced-price meal programs before notifying parents, and include meal program applications with any notice. It prohibits schools from shaming students (e.g., making them wait in line) or threatening child protective services over unpaid bills. Districts must report twice a year on how many students are denied meals due to unpaid bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to establish a "School Meal Fund" to accept public donations that help students pay for school breakfasts or lunches or clear past-due meal bills. The fund must be managed in a separate bank account with strict financial controls, equitable distribution policies, and annual audits. School districts must inform parents, guardians, and the community about the fund and donation process through written materials and their website, unless they already provide free meals to all students under federal eligibility programs. The fund’s purpose is strictly limited to assisting students with meal costs, with no other uses permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1582) requires New Jersey public school students who sustain a concussion to obtain an evaluation and written clearance from a licensed health care professional before returning to school. It also prohibits students from participating in any physical activities (like recess or PE) until they receive this clearance. School districts must implement any restrictions or limitations recommended by the health professional, using their 504 team (per N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3), and notify all relevant staff. The law applies directly to public school students, school districts, and licensed health care providers who diagnose/treat concussions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2773 requires domestic violence offenders to surrender firearms and have their firearm permits revoked upon conviction or when a restraining order is issued. It mandates courts to order immediate firearm surrender within 5 business days, allowing 10 days for licensed dealers to take possession of surrendered firearms. Law enforcement must properly store surrendered firearms and may charge defendants for storage costs. The bill also requires courts to search domestic violence records before issuing restraining orders to check for firearm ownership and ensures records are cross-referenced to prevent offenders from retaining firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a scholarship program for healthcare workers seeking to become nurses, appropriating $1 million from the General Fund. The program will award 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible applicants who are New Jersey residents, currently or previously worked in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as nurses after graduation. The scholarships aim to increase the number of trained nurses by incentivizing career transitions within the healthcare sector.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1143 establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental disability service programs. The COLA, based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI) from October 1 to September 30 (as published by the U.S. Department of Labor), must be included in state contracts for these programs starting on the bill's effective date. This applies to all state-funded programs - whether fully or partially Medicaid-funded - that are licensed or approved by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Department must announce the annual COLA rate each October 1, ensuring service providers receive regular inflation-based funding increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public database managed by the NJ Business Action Center (Department of State) listing vacant commercial spaces available for lease or purchase by small businesses. It requires commercial property owners to report vacancies or occupancy changes monthly, with the database including details like square footage, capital equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). The database will be updated monthly using data from property owners, realtors, and municipalities, and made accessible online with targeted outreach to business associations and chambers of commerce. The goal is to reduce the time and cost for small businesses to find suitable commercial space by centralizing vacancy information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1862) requires New Jersey's Department of Health to mandate certain nursing homes with serious or repeated violations of health, safety, or resident care standards to hire or contract with a qualified monitor or vendor. The monitor must have expertise in long-term care and provide services like management support, staffing assistance, or consultative help to address violations, transition ownership, facilitate safe closures, or prevent operations from stopping. The Department oversees the monitor's work and requires them to report to both the nursing home and the Department. Nursing homes affected are those identified by the Department as having substantial or habitual violations under federal or state law. The monitor may access records (per privacy laws), attend meetings, hire consultants, and take actions to protect resident safety.