Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prior military law enforcement officers with honorable discharges to receive credit toward New Jersey's police training requirements when seeking law enforcement jobs in the state. Specifically, they will be exempt from parts of the basic police training course that match their military training, as determined by the Police Training Commission. The credit does not cover the entire course, so officers must still complete any training not deemed similar. This applies to those who served in the military within the last three years and are applying for state or local law enforcement positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for New Jersey to recognize teaching certificates from other states, allowing out-of-state teachers to work in New Jersey public schools without full re-certification. To qualify, teachers must hold a current certificate from another state matching New Jersey's grade level or subject endorsements, have taught in that state during the last two school years, provide two recommendation letters (one from a supervisor), pass a criminal background check, and meet New Jersey's residency requirements. The State Board of Education will develop specific rules for implementing this reciprocity program. It directly affects teachers seeking employment in New Jersey public schools who hold valid out-of-state teaching credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's existing ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. It directly affects retail stores, restaurants, and food service businesses that previously could not sell or distribute these items. The repeal removes all prohibitions on these products, allowing their sale and distribution to resume. The bill also eliminates a $500,000 annual appropriation from the Clean Communities Program Fund that previously supported public education about reusable bag alternatives. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Task Force on Aging within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will study state resources and services for older residents, review policies affecting seniors, examine support for family caregivers, and evaluate long-term care quality. It must issue an initial report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months, followed by biennial updates. The task force includes government officials, aging advocacy representatives, senior citizens (including those in care facilities), and healthcare professionals specializing in geriatrics. Its work aims to improve services supporting aging residents' dignity and independence, without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5316) upgrades the criminal classification for auto theft when it occurs during specific burglaries in New Jersey. It raises auto theft to a second-degree crime if committed during residential burglary (breaking into a home without violence) and to a first-degree crime if committed during home invasion burglary (breaking into a home with violence or weapons). Currently, auto theft is a third-degree crime (3-5 year prison term) unless the vehicle is worth $75,000+ or multiple vehicles are stolen. The bill ensures auto theft convictions won’t merge with burglary convictions, meaning offenders face separate sentences for both crimes. It directly affects individuals who steal vehicles while committing these types of burglaries.

Maddy summaryThe "Welcome Home Veterans Act" (A4733) requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing certain documents. It directly affects veterans who receive an initial license, renewal license, probationary license, or ID card displaying a veteran designation under existing state law. The MVC must distribute both hardcopy packets at agency locations and digital versions online, including the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Benefits Guide, the VA's "Federal Benefits for Veterans" booklet, and resources for finding additional benefits. This policy change ensures veterans accessing MVC services receive standardized, accessible information about available state and federal support programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey college and university to appoint at least one employee as a student parent liaison. The liaison must help student parents understand and access academic support services, success strategies, and institution-specific resources for their needs. They will serve as the main contact for parenting-related accommodations and ensure their contact information is publicly available online. The law applies to all institutions of higher education in New Jersey, with implementation starting four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities that already offer priority course registration to certain student groups (like athletes or military members) to extend that priority to student parents. It applies to New Jersey residents who are parents or legal guardians of children under 18. Institutions must use the same registration procedures for student parents as for other priority groups and must notify eligible students before each semester’s registration period. The law takes effect immediately.