Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards for domestic violence counseling programs that defendants must attend as part of court orders in domestic violence cases. It requires these programs to include specific components like risk assessments, education about power and control dynamics, and protocols for documenting attendance. The bill creates an "Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee" within the Department of Children and Families to oversee these programs, with members representing courts, law enforcement, mental health services, domestic violence advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee will help select and fund evidence-based counseling programs that focus on holding offenders accountable and supporting victims' safety. The bill aims to improve the effectiveness of domestic violence counseling by setting clear standards and creating oversight through the new committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A595) protects the personal information of specific healthcare workers who are assaulted by patients or residents at healthcare facilities. It requires that the name and address of these victims be redacted from court documents, reports, and other public records if the assault occurred during their work. Violating this confidentiality - by disclosing the information without court authorization - triggers a $100 civil penalty per document. The law directly affects healthcare workers employed at licensed facilities, licensed healthcare professionals, and direct care workers at psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits organizing, promoting, or participating in competitive events (such as contests with prizes) where participants harass or take specific wildlife - including coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and other listed animals - except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to six months in jail, $1,000 fine) plus a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and possession privileges. Injured wildlife must be transported to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife becomes the property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The law applies broadly to events not covered by existing field trial permits, targeting commercialized wildlife competitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's nursing home reporting requirements, requiring more detailed financial disclosures and ownership structure information. Nursing homes, applicants for ownership transfers, and third-party entities managing nursing homes must now provide audited consolidated financial statements and organizational charts showing parent companies, subsidiaries, and related parties providing services valued at $200,000 or more annually. The bill lowers the threshold for disclosing ownership interests from 10% to 5% and mandates that nursing homes post this information on their websites. It also removes the previous requirement for nursing homes to post Medicare/Medicaid cost reports, instead requiring them to post the new financial statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program, appropriating $30 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds to create transitional and permanent supportive housing for very low-income households (earning ≤30% of area median income). It provides low-interest loans to qualified developers to renovate underused buildings - like vacant malls, hotels, or warehouses - into housing with support services. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency will administer the program, fund, and rules. This directly affects homeless individuals/families and developers eligible to transform unused properties into housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's law against using wireless devices while driving. It reduces the look-back period for prior offenses from 10 years to 3 years when determining if a second or third violation is a repeat offense. Additionally, it allows first-time offenders who complete an approved defensive driving course to have the violation removed from their driving record. These changes apply to violations of the existing law that prohibits handheld device use while operating a motor vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1690) creates two new NJ Transit programs. The "NJpass Program" provides discounted transit fares to eligible organizations like workforce training providers, schools, and government agencies when they purchase passes for their approved groups. The "GO NJ Transit Card Program" establishes a reloadable card for general use, allowing riders to pay for any NJ Transit service with non-expiring funds and featuring a fare-capping system to ensure the lowest possible cost. Both programs require NJ Transit to publish details online, report annually on effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature, and consider similar programs used by other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.