Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A3125 bans the sale of menstrual products containing regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to health concerns. It directly affects manufacturers selling products like tampons, pads, cups, or underwear in New Jersey, prohibiting both intentionally added PFAS and PFAS above trace levels. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results available for inspection by the Department of Health. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under state law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense, and takes effect two years after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "South Jersey Community Resilience Center" in Atlantic City to serve LGBTQIA+ residents across eight South Jersey counties, who currently lack dedicated community resources. It allocates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services for the center’s operation, which will provide mental health workshops, peer support groups, LGBTQIA+-specific healthcare resources, and a safe space for community events. The center will partner with health organizations to reduce barriers to services like healthcare and advocacy while fostering belonging. The bill is pending in the Assembly Health Committee as of January 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates salt water taffy as New Jersey's official state candy. It formally recognizes the treat as a symbolic representation of the state's coastal heritage, with no direct policy impact on residents, businesses, or laws. The designation takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners or operators of venues holding 1,000+ people (like stadiums, arenas, and concert halls) to maintain at least one automatic external defibrillator (AED) on-site. It mandates that AEDs be accessible at all times, properly stored and maintained, with clear signage and staff trained in CPR and AED use. Venues must also develop emergency response protocols and notify emergency services about AED locations. The law aims to improve survival rates for cardiac events - where immediate defibrillation can increase survival by up to 90% - by ensuring rapid access to life-saving equipment at large public gatherings.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to determine and consider the lowest reasonable return on equity (ROE) when reviewing requests from electric, gas, and water utilities for rate increases. It directly affects these public utilities, as they must now justify rate changes based on the lowest reasonable ROE rather than higher profit margins. The BPU must develop or adopt analytic models reflecting state, federal, and industry standards to calculate this lowest reasonable ROE. The policy change applies to all future rate cases filed with the BPU after the law takes effect, ensuring rate adjustments are evaluated with this specific financial standard.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within New Jersey's government to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate, appointed by the Governor, will investigate state agency responses to child abuse cases, inspect facilities like juvenile detention centers and group homes, and ensure children in state care receive appropriate services. Key mechanisms include accessing relevant records (with privacy safeguards), issuing subpoenas for investigations, and operating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office directly affects children in state custody, their families, and state agencies such as the Department of Children and Families.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to integrate age-appropriate lessons about the September 11, 2001 attacks into Social Studies curricula for elementary, middle, and high school students. It mandates specific content, including the historical context, timeline of events, recognition of first responders and Flight 93 passengers' sacrifice, and lessons on humanitarian aid and tolerance. Additionally, schools must hold annual commemorative events focused on conflict resolution, diversity, and cultural acceptance. The Commissioner of Education will provide sample resources to support implementation, with the law taking effect in the first full school year after enactment.