Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Student-Parent Protection Act," requires New Jersey colleges and universities to ensure equal treatment for students who are parents or guardians of children under 18. It expands existing protections for pregnant students to cover all parenting situations, prohibiting schools from forcing such students to withdraw or take leave solely due to parenting. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations like makeup work, flexible scheduling, and written policies addressing parenting discrimination, which must be posted online and shared with all students. The bill also ensures students returning after a leave of absence (up to one academic year) can resume studies without reapplying for admission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5282) requires all New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on the risks of social media and cell phone addiction for students in grades 6 through 12. It expands current requirements by moving this education from technology classes (grades 6-8) to the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum for all grades 6-12. The instruction must cover responsible use, cyber safety, and the negative impacts of addiction on mental health, relationships, and development. The Commissioner of Education must provide sample lesson materials to support implementation. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in New Jersey while their New Jersey licensure applications are being processed. It applies to a wide range of professionals including physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and other health care practitioners. The bill requires these professionals to immediately notify New Jersey authorities if their out-of-state license is suspended or disciplined, with a $500 daily penalty for failing to provide this notice. It also establishes temporary licenses for recent health care graduates (within six months of graduation) to practice under supervision while awaiting full licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $500,000 in state funding to the Main Library Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting libraries in northwestern New Jersey. The funds, designated as a supplemental grant-in-aid under the Division of State Library, will help the Alliance maintain services like technology support, programming, and cost-sharing for its 50+ member libraries. These libraries serve over 700,000 patrons across 100+ municipalities in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes as a direct result of their trafficking situation. It applies to any crime listed in New Jersey's criminal code if the defendant was a trafficking victim at the time of the offense and the crime was directly caused by the trafficking. The defense remains available even if the trafficking case against the defendant didn't result in a conviction. The bill also establishes a "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" that receives fines from trafficking-related convictions to support survivors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow jointure commissions (special public entities formed by multiple school districts) to provide school bus transportation services to local school districts without following public bidding requirements. Currently, such commissions must bid for new contracts when serving districts they don't already include as members. The change applies specifically to commissions that own or lease school buses, streamlining how they contract with districts they serve. This policy update removes a procedural barrier for these commissions while maintaining existing rules for other transportation providers.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 153) states that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The rules require truck manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (e.g., 55% of certain trucks by 2035), but the DEP adopted them without following a 2003 law requiring notice to environmental committees before implementing new California program phases. The resolution cites that the 2003 law only authorized the DEP to adopt rules for California's *second phase* of low-emission vehicles, not the newer "Advanced Clean Trucks" program. It directs the DEP to amend or withdraw the rules within 30 days or risk further legislative action to invalidate them.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution (AR 154) urges Congress to hold a joint session at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 2, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It specifically references House Resolution 115, introduced in the 118th Congress, which proposes this commemorative session. The resolution has no legal effect - it is a symbolic request for Congress to honor the historical significance of the Declaration's approval at Independence Hall. It directly affects the U.S. Congress, as it asks lawmakers to consider convening in Philadelphia for this anniversary event.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 166) urges the Miss America Organization to return the annual pageant to Atlantic City for 2025 and future years. It cites the pageant’s historical origins in Atlantic City since 1921, its 10-year hosting there from 2013 to 2024, and its role in awarding over $150 million in scholarships since 1945. The resolution specifically requests the organization host the event in Atlantic City, noting its long-standing ties to the city. It does not impose legal requirements but expresses the legislature’s preference based on the pageant’s historical significance to Atlantic City.

Maddy summarySJR 76 designates the second Friday in December each year as "PSRPs in Our Schools Day" in New Jersey to recognize paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs). This resolution honors PSRPs, including instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodial staff, who support students through tutoring, classroom assistance, meal preparation, facility maintenance, and student transportation. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but calls for the Governor, Legislature, and citizens to observe and acknowledge these staff members' contributions. It takes effect immediately upon passage.