Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to provide written informational materials to all students in grades K-12 about the U.S. citizenship process. The materials must cover applying for citizenship, preparing for tests, and local citizenship workshops, and must be available in English, Spanish, and any other language significant to the district's student population. School districts must also host two annual parent sessions (in-person or virtual) explaining citizenship steps. The New Jersey Department of Education will develop guidelines to help districts identify resources. The law applies to all public school districts starting the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1460) prohibits New Jersey homeowners insurance companies from including "anti-concurrent causation" clauses in policies. These clauses currently allow insurers to deny coverage when a covered peril (like fire) occurs alongside an uncovered peril (like flood), even if the covered cause contributed to the damage. The bill makes such clauses void and unenforceable, ensuring homeowners receive coverage for losses caused by insured perils even if other causes were also involved. It applies to all homeowners insurance policies delivered, renewed, or approved in New Jersey 90 days after enactment, directly affecting policyholders and insurers in the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A457 exempts the sale of recreational safety helmets from state sales and use tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing helmets that meet specific safety standards for activities like biking, skateboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling. The bill defines "recreational safety helmets" as headgear that either complies with existing helmet laws for those activities or is specifically designed for them (e.g., bike helmets, ski helmets). The exemption applies to sales made after the law takes effect, which would be three months following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county and municipal police departments to create designated safe areas on their property for in-person exchanges of items listed on classified websites (like Craigslist). It requires police to install video cameras in these areas for safety, prohibits police from regulating transactions or being held liable for crimes occurring there, and permits departments to run public awareness campaigns with safety tips. The bill directly affects residents using online classifieds for sales, police departments establishing these zones, and public safety efforts around transaction risks. It also mandates the Attorney General to notify all relevant police departments about this new authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all teacher certification candidates who complete an approved educator preparation program to complete an anti-racism training course beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. It also mandates that candidates entering teaching through alternate certification routes complete the training within one year of employment. The training must cover diversity in teaching, developing racial literacy, examining personal biases, and understanding how race affects classroom decisions like grading and discipline. Educator preparation programs must update their curricula to include this requirement and share syllabi and required texts online, though the state does not approve course content. The bill directly affects all new teacher certification applicants in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow crematories to operate as stand-alone facilities separate from cemeteries and funeral homes, rather than being restricted to cemetery property or existing funeral home operations. It would permit crematories to be established on property owned or leased by a crematory company (defined as a stand-alone facility separate from cemeteries and funeral homes) and would require these companies to be nonprofit organizations. The bill would require crematory companies to file annual reports with the New Jersey Cemetery Board, adopt regulations for crematory use, and publicly post their service charges. This change would directly affect crematory companies, funeral homes, and cemetery operators in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A543) requires all newly-manufactured school buses in New Jersey to have GPS systems that track their real-time location and speed. It directly affects school bus manufacturers and school districts purchasing new buses, as they must install the GPS equipment. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, and the State Board of Education will create rules for installation and data use. The requirement applies only to buses made on or after that effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises training standards and requirements for New Jersey's volunteer and nonvolunteer emergency medical services squads under the Highway Traffic Safety Act. It updates definitions to clarify volunteer vs. nonvolunteer status (requiring at least 51% volunteer coverage or nonprofit operation without patient billing), defines "basic life support" for the first time, and requires training programs to consider national curricula and volunteer recruitment impacts. The bill reduces the required number of certified EMTs per squad from two to one, while setting new driver qualifications including CPR/AED certification and emergency vehicle operation training. These changes ensure emergency medical services comply with state and federal standards while addressing volunteer recruitment and retention concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires libraries in New Jersey municipalities or counties where 40% or more of residents live below 1.85x the federal poverty line to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and all-gender restrooms. Libraries must also display educational pamphlets about menstrual health topics, including toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal. The state will cover all costs for providing these products and pamphlets. The law applies to libraries supported by municipal or county tax funds and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows small private theaters (with seating under 400 people) that regularly host paid live musical or theatrical performances to obtain an alcohol retail license. Currently, only nonprofit theaters with 1,000+ seats can get a similar "theater license" under New Jersey law. The bill creates a new category for incorporated private theater entities meeting these size and performance criteria, enabling them to serve alcohol during shows and for two hours before/after. Municipalities must approve the license with the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control's consent, but the license won't count toward municipal license limits.