Rep. Maureen Rowan

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that only licensed nurses may use the title "Nurse" or related abbreviations like "R.N." or "L.P.N." in New Jersey. It prohibits unlicensed individuals or organizations from representing themselves as nurses or using these titles, including in professional communications or credentials. The law applies to all unlicensed people seeking to misrepresent their qualifications, reinforcing existing licensing requirements under New Jersey's nursing statutes. Violations carry penalties of $200 per offense, increasing to $500 for repeat violations. (Note: This bill amends prior laws rather than creating new licensing standards.)

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "Sikhism" to New Jersey's list of protected classes under the state's bias intimidation law (N.J.S.2C:16-1), explicitly including Sikhs in legal protections against hate crimes motivated by religious bias. It directly affects Sikh residents and community members who face discrimination or violence due to their religious identity, such as attacks targeting turbans, beards, or gurdwaras. The key mechanism amends the statute to cover offenses committed "because of their membership within a protected class," including Sikhism, and creates a legal presumption that bias was a motivating factor in such crimes. The bill also appropriates $100,000, likely for educational or support programs related to Sikh community awareness, though specific funding details aren't outlined in the text.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities, renaming it the "Extended Employment Act" and updating terminology (e.g., replacing "sheltered workshop" with "extended employment"). It directly affects individuals with significant disabilities who choose these programs, as well as nonprofit providers offering vocational services. Key provisions include defining "extended employment" as community-based work opportunities with flexible service models (like retail or restaurants), requiring nonprofit providers to be nationally accredited, and tying state funding to inflation (CPI-W) rather than fixed amounts. The law also expands program goals to include competitive integrated employment and requires providers to submit annual expense analyses for funding adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates a 17-member Military Suicide Prevention Task Force within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Human Services. The task force includes military leaders, veterans, mental health experts, and representatives from state agencies, with specific requirements for veteran representation and expertise in areas like PTSD and military sexual trauma. Its key duties are to review military suicide issues, identify evidence-based prevention strategies, recommend state actions (including legislation), and submit biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The task force directly affects active-duty service members, veterans, and state agencies responsible for military and veteran services in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates New Jersey's "Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act," protecting active-duty military members (including National Guard), their dependents, and reservists called to duty. It provides concrete protections like temporary pauses on court cases (up to 90 days), debt collection, tax payments, and insurance premiums during service or within 180 days after. The law explicitly prevents creditors, insurers, or courts from penalizing servicemembers for using these protections - such as denying credit or raising insurance rates. It applies to all civil obligations, including leases, contracts, and court proceedings, ensuring servicemembers' rights are maintained during military service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes licensed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (serving adults with developmental disabilities receiving Tier C+ services) to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives unanimously consent in writing. It mandates that group homes must actively seek this consent, provide annual notices about the option, and allow residents to withdraw consent anytime without affecting housing placement. Devices must record continuously, retain footage for 90 days, undergo weekly inspections, and permit residents to review recordings upon request. The bill explicitly prohibits using refusal to consent as a barrier to housing and requires visitor notices at entrances.