Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill gives sexual assault victims in New Jersey the right to be notified about specific developments in their criminal case. It requires law enforcement to inform victims if: - A DNA profile of the attacker was collected from evidence, - That DNA was entered into a state or federal database, - A match was found between the attacker’s DNA and a database profile (unless it would interfere with an active investigation), or - Evidence was processed by a forensic lab and compared to a database. Victims can request written or electronic updates on evidence status and designate another person to receive these notifications. The bill does not affect case outcomes if notifications are missed.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 147) condemns the U.S. Supreme Court's 2024 ruling in *Garland v. Cargill*, which determined that bump stocks do not qualify as machine guns under federal law. It reaffirms New Jersey’s existing ban on bump stocks, established by P.L.2017, c.323, which prohibits their sale and possession as dangerous devices. The resolution states the Court’s decision undermines federal gun safety regulations and contradicts New Jersey’s commitment to public safety, citing the 2017 Las Vegas shooting where bump stocks were reportedly used. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but expresses the state’s position to lawmakers.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10,067,905 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to nonprofit organizations. The funds will support 11 land acquisition projects ($5.7 million), four park development projects ($3.58 million), and two stewardship activities ($309,000) across multiple counties. These grants will help nonprofits acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, with $479,000 allocated for DEP administrative costs. The bill specifies that funds come from dedicated tax revenues established by the Preserve New Jersey Act and will support specific projects approved by the DEP.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide zero-interest loans or principal forgiveness for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects. It authorizes funding for 156 specific clean water projects and 72 drinking water projects across the state, totaling approximately $2.6 billion in estimated loan amounts. The funding is intended to help municipalities and public water utilities finance infrastructure improvements that reduce pollution, improve water quality, and address environmental challenges. The bill includes specific provisions for varying levels of principal forgiveness based on project type and community need, with a focus on making these projects more affordable for local governments.

Maddy summaryThe Next New Jersey Program Act establishes a tax credit program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to attract artificial intelligence (AI) investments to the state. Eligible businesses must make a minimum $100 million capital investment and create at least 100 new full-time jobs in AI-related activities, where at least 50% of employees or revenue comes from AI operations. The tax credit amount equals the lesser of 0.1% of capital investment multiplied by new jobs, 25% of capital investment, or $250 million. This program allocates up to $500 million in tax credits originally designated for the New Jersey Aspire Program and Emerge Program specifically for qualifying AI businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects minor children (under 18) featured in online video content created by their families. It requires online content creators to place earnings from videos featuring a minor’s likeness or name into a court-administered trust if the minor appears in at least 30% of compensated content (measured by time in the video) or if the video promotes products/services tied to the minor. The trust, managed until the child turns 18, ensures they gain full access to these funds upon reaching adulthood. The bill also grants minors aged 18+ the right to request permanent deletion of their content from platforms or creators’ accounts. It amends existing law to redirect such earnings from parents to the minor’s trust, overriding prior parental entitlement rules.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 145) urges Congress and the President to pass the "Social Security Fairness Act," which would repeal two federal rules affecting Social Security benefits. Specifically, it seeks to eliminate the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduce or eliminate Social Security benefits for public employees - like police, firefighters, and some local government workers - who also receive government pensions (e.g., from New Jersey’s Police and Firemen’s Retirement System). These rules currently prevent affected retirees in New Jersey from collecting full Social Security benefits they earned through payroll taxes, with 4,126 NJ retirees impacted by GPO and 22,689 by WEP. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests federal action to address these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's four-year public universities to create and annually update a reproductive health services plan ensuring students can access contraception (including emergency contraception via vending machines or on-campus retail), STI testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion referrals. County colleges must establish a referral network connecting students to verified local providers for these services. The plan must include 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception and evidence-based reproductive health education. Institutions are not required to directly provide abortion services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to repay student loans for reproductive health care professionals in New Jersey who work at approved facilities providing abortion services. It appropriates $5 million to cover up to 18-28% of qualifying student loans per year of service (maxing at $200,000 total), requiring participants to work at approved sites for 1-4 years. Eligibility prioritizes professionals in counties with provider shortages, and applicants must be New Jersey residents employed in reproductive health care. The program explicitly includes abortion care as part of "reproductive health services" under the bill's definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead domestic companion animals. It mandates specific information about testing reasons, protocols for handling and disposing of the animal's body (including head removal), and prohibits misrepresentation using euphemisms. Veterinarians must also distribute a pamphlet and display a poster about rabies testing protocols to pet owners at the time of rabies vaccination. Additionally, the bill establishes an optional, trauma-informed mental health training program for veterinarians, developed in consultation with state health agencies. These provisions directly affect veterinarians, pet owners, and the Departments of Health and Consumer Affairs.