Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryAJR 27 designates November each year as "Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness about hospice and palliative care services. It aims to educate residents about supportive end-of-life care options before health crises or terminal diagnoses occur. The resolution has no legal effect beyond the symbolic designation and proclamation requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who pay for care of qualifying elderly relatives. It allows eligible caregivers to claim 22.5% of up to $3,000 in qualified care expenses (such as home health services, adult day care, or home modifications) paid for a senior family member who is 60+ (or 50+ with Social Security Disability) and meets income requirements. To qualify, caregivers must have gross income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filing statuses), and the credit is refundable - meaning it can be paid as cash if it exceeds tax liability. The credit applies to expenses not reimbursed by insurance or government programs and is in addition to any dependent deductions claimed.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts serving at least 5% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals to offer halal lunch options. Halal meals must comply with Islamic religious practices, national nutrition standards, and food safety rules, while costing no more than comparable non-halal meals. The requirement applies starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment. It directly affects school districts meeting the student eligibility threshold, ensuring dietary accommodations for Muslim students without increasing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at Rutgers School of Public Health, appropriating $500,000 to fund its operations. The center will research suicide causes, consequences, and prevention strategies - including individual, community, and societal factors - and develop evidence-based policies. It must collaborate with state agencies, train new researchers, and administer a competitive grant program for suicide research. The center will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its work, funding, and research outcomes. The bill directly affects Rutgers School of Public Health and aims to improve statewide suicide prevention efforts through research.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes free post-COVID-19 health clinics across New Jersey, providing physical and mental health evaluations, physical therapy, and related services at no cost to residents previously diagnosed with COVID-19. It requires the Department of Health to launch a public awareness campaign - including informational pamphlets in healthcare facilities - to educate people about long-term health effects and available care, with special focus on medically underserved communities and areas with poor health outcomes linked to the pandemic. The bill also creates a 15-member task force to study racial and ethnic disparities in long-term COVID-19 health impacts, with a one-year deadline to submit policy recommendations. The clinics, awareness efforts, and task force will expire one year after New Jersey’s public health emergency ends.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public database managed by the NJ Business Action Center (Department of State) listing vacant commercial spaces available for lease or purchase by small businesses. It requires commercial property owners to report vacancies or occupancy changes monthly, with the database including details like square footage, capital equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). The database will be updated monthly using data from property owners, realtors, and municipalities, and made accessible online with targeted outreach to business associations and chambers of commerce. The goal is to reduce the time and cost for small businesses to find suitable commercial space by centralizing vacancy information.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey counties to establish regional authorities to develop and operate rehabilitation and reentry centers. Participating counties would create these authorities through inter-county agreements, with the authority having the power to issue bonds for construction and operations. The centers would be designated as public property serving public health and welfare, with the authority exempt from taxes and special assessments. Counties would fund their proportional share based on inmate population, and the authority would be required to conduct annual audits.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2424 requires all State, county, and municipal employees, plus certain State contractors with access to state computer systems or databases, to complete annual cybersecurity awareness training. The training must be approved by the Chief Technology Officer, delivered online, and verified annually by employees and contractors. State agencies, counties, municipalities, the Legislature, and contractors must conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with this requirement. The bill applies to all state employees (including public universities), local government staff, and contractor personnel who handle state data.