Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill gives sexual assault victims in New Jersey the right to be notified about specific developments in their criminal case. It requires law enforcement to inform victims if: - A DNA profile of the attacker was collected from evidence, - That DNA was entered into a state or federal database, - A match was found between the attacker’s DNA and a database profile (unless it would interfere with an active investigation), or - Evidence was processed by a forensic lab and compared to a database. Victims can request written or electronic updates on evidence status and designate another person to receive these notifications. The bill does not affect case outcomes if notifications are missed.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for juveniles with repeated motor vehicle-related offenses. It mandates a one-year incarceration for juveniles adjudicated delinquent for a third or subsequent offense involving theft of a motor vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, eluding law enforcement, or theft of a catalytic converter. Currently, first offenses of these types require 60 days of community service, but this bill adds mandatory prison time for repeat offenders. The bill directly affects juveniles who have previously been adjudicated for these specific motor vehicle offenses. It changes sentencing options by adding a mandatory incarceration requirement for repeat offenders in these categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow expectant mothers in New Jersey who are in their third trimester of pregnancy to receive a temporary parking placard. The $4 placard, valid for up to three months, permits mothers to park longer at metered spots or use disability parking spaces without needing a separate disability permit. To qualify, a mother must provide written certification from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other qualified healthcare provider confirming her third-trimester status. The placard must be displayed on the vehicle and clearly show an expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exclude up to $50,000 of gross income from taxation for qualified small businesses under New Jersey's gross income tax and corporation business tax. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned with management owning at least 51% ownership interest, have principal operations located in New Jersey, be registered to do business in the state, earn gross revenues under $2 million annually, and employ no more than 20 full-time or part-time employees (with most being New Jersey residents). The exclusion applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. This provision would reduce the tax burden for eligible small businesses meeting these specific criteria. The bill provides targeted tax relief to small businesses operating within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public high schools to offer the ASVAB-AFQT (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test) as an approved alternative to the standard graduation proficiency test. It directly affects high school students who need to demonstrate mastery of state standards to graduate, by adding ASVAB-AFQT back to the list of accepted substitute assessments. The key provision reinstates a test previously approved but removed from the list by the State Board of Education in 2023, allowing students to use their ASVAB-AFQT score instead of the state test. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide volunteer firefighters with free, periodic cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin volunteering. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and must be administered by physicians in the State Health Benefits Program network. The state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years, with no out-of-pocket costs for the firefighters. Fire districts must maintain records to support reimbursement claims, extending existing paid firefighter benefits to volunteer firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school psychologists and counselors to complete an eight-hour mental health first aid training course. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from Human Services, must cover identifying mental health signs in youth, risk factors, crisis interventions, and specific conditions like anxiety and depression. School staff must complete the training within their first year of employment and again at least once every three years as part of professional development. The course content must be updated every three years to reflect current mental health practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4592) expands an existing exemption to include honorably discharged veterans. It allows veterans with a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)-issued honorably discharged veteran placard to park without paying municipal meter fees when they are either driving or riding as a passenger in the vehicle. The exemption applies only for parking under 24 hours at a single location, consistent with current rules for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It directly affects veterans who hold the MVC-issued placard and their vehicles when parked in municipal meter zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects individuals who pay dues to labor organizations, including public employees represented by such groups. The key provision requires taxpayers to provide verification of dues paid to the Division of Taxation to claim the deduction. The bill defines "union dues" broadly to include all required membership fees, and "labor organization" as any group addressing work conditions like wages or grievances. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.