Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state correctional facilities to allow inmates with disabilities to use service animals (trained to perform tasks) or companion animals (pets for emotional support) under a new program. Inmates must apply through the Department of Corrections, with requests for new animals evaluated within 30 days for feasibility and need. The program mandates vaccination documentation for animals and requires the Department of Corrections, with input from the Department of Human Services, to establish rules for animal care, safety, hours of use, and logistical procedures. The bill appropriates state funds to cover implementation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a free emergency notification system for schools. The system must allow students, staff, parents, and guardians to register mobile devices (like phones or tablets) to receive immediate alerts about active shooter situations on school grounds. It mandates that the system works with all device types, automatically contacts local law enforcement or the State Police upon activation, and must be customized by each school using the system to include registered contacts. The bill applies to all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when appointing members to state boards, commissions, or similar bodies established by law, the appointing official (such as the Governor, Senate President, or Assembly Speaker) must prioritize achieving racial and gender diversity that reflects New Jersey’s population. The goal of diversity becomes a primary consideration for all appointments made after the bill’s effective date, unless it conflicts with specific circumstances or the law creating the body. The bill defines "gender" to include gender identity and "race" as based on physical characteristics or shared ancestry. This policy change directly affects how officials select members for these state entities, aiming to improve representation without mandating specific quotas.

Maddy summaryThe bill establishes a voluntary program that allows employers to contribute to their employees' child care costs, with the state providing matching funds based on employee household income. Employers and child care providers must apply to participate, and the state will match employer contributions up to 100% for employees earning at or below 100% of New Jersey's median household income, with decreasing matches for higher income levels. Employees would be responsible for any child care costs not covered by the combined employer contribution and state match. The program requires participating child care providers to have at least a three-star rating under New Jersey's Grow NJ Kids quality rating system. The Department of Children and Families will oversee the program and issue annual reports on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit New Jersey law enforcement officers from initiating motor vehicle stops solely for most traffic violations (Title 39 violations), instead allowing them to issue citations by mail to the registered vehicle owner. The bill requires officers to provide photos or video evidence of the violation with the citation and establishes a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner committed the violation, while permitting owners to contest citations electronically rather than appearing in court. Exceptions allowing stops include serious violations like reckless driving, speeding 30+ mph over the limit, driving while intoxicated, racing, and situations posing immediate public safety risks. The bill also prohibits officers from asking for consent to search during stops for minor traffic violations and limits drug-detection canine use during such stops.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $35 million in supplemental funding from the General Fund to the "Urban and Rural Centers Unsafe Buildings Demolition Revolving Loan Fund," established by law in 1997 (P.L.1997, c.125). The fund provides loans to New Jersey municipalities for demolishing unsafe buildings in urban and rural centers, with the loans being repaid to the fund for future use. The funding directly supports local governments in addressing hazardous structures, particularly in communities facing aging or deteriorating infrastructure. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy, and the $35 million will be allocated under the existing Community Development Management program.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill A873 appropriates $1 billion in supplemental funding for "Grants for After School Recreation in Urban Areas" under New Jersey's Department of Education. The funds are exclusively available to municipalities that are members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA), which represents urban communities with documented need for youth programs. The bill specifies that funds must be used to improve recreational infrastructure (like playgrounds and pools), reopen closed parks, and support after-school programs - including computer science education, home economics, and life skills training - through mentorship, sports organizations, and summer educational initiatives. The Commissioner of Education will administer the grant program via a process established by the department.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A876 bill would create a single online application for residents to pre-apply for affordable and senior housing (determining initial eligibility and waitlist position) and to apply for 10 housing subsidy programs, including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and energy aid (where the application serves as final eligibility determination). Currently, applicants must submit separate forms for each housing option and subsidy program. The application would allow users to select specific municipalities, counties, or regions and cover rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing types. This consolidates fragmented processes into one platform, reducing administrative burden for applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords who rent space to child care facilities (like daycares or preschools) to install and maintain lead-removing water filters at all water outlets used for drinking, food prep, or baby formula if they previously refused to allow water system replacement of lead pipes. Landlords must install filters certified to meet safety standards (like NSF/ANSI 42/53), maintain them, and annually certify compliance to the environmental agency. Failure to comply can result in daily fines of up to $500, and tenants can force rent into court-ordered escrow until filters are installed. If the landlord's refusal causes children or staff to have elevated lead levels, they face unlimited financial liability for damages.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A856 establishes the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI) as a new principal department within the Executive Branch, replacing the current State Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The bill transfers existing diversity functions from the Department of Treasury and the Division on Civil Rights to the new department, requiring state agencies to develop annual diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility plans. It also mandates that entities receiving state development subsidies or financial assistance must create and implement strategic diversity plans detailing their efforts to promote diversity in hiring, procurement, and business opportunities. The commissioner of DDEI will oversee these requirements, coordinate statewide initiatives, and ensure compliance with diversity standards across state government and recipient entities.