Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency departments in New Jersey hospitals to provide parents or guardians with contact information for local care management organizations when a child presents with a mental health crisis. Care management organizations are defined as county-based, nonprofit groups that offer in-person support for youth with complex needs and their families. The law aims to connect families with community resources by mandating that hospitals share this information during emergency visits.

Maddy summaryThe "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act" requires New Jersey colleges and universities to implement specific mental health programs for students. Institutions must create a mental health awareness program including annual student orientation sessions, website resource hubs, and online screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety. They must also establish student peer support programs following best practices and form partnerships with local mental health providers to meet a benchmark of one clinical staff member per 1,250 students. A new Technical Assistance Center will develop standards, monitor progress, and share data to improve campus mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to consider health insurance coverage availability when determining alimony awards in divorce or dissolution cases. Specifically, it adds a new factor for courts to evaluate: whether health insurance is available to each party, or whether they can afford coverage, especially when one party was previously covered through the other's employer-sponsored plan. The bill amends New Jersey's alimony statute (N.J.S.2A:34-23) to include this consideration in multiple scenarios, including initial alimony awards, modifications upon retirement, and cases involving loss of employment. This change aims to ensure that courts account for the significant financial impact of health insurance costs when making alimony decisions.

Maddy summaryThis is a New Jersey Assembly concurrent resolution (ACR 132) urging the federal government not to ban natural gas appliances in homes and businesses. It does not create new law but formally requests Congress and the President avoid restricting gas-powered appliances like stoves, heaters, and water heaters. The resolution cites New Jersey data showing 73% of households use gas for heating and 69% for cooking, along with the state's extensive gas infrastructure serving 2.9 million customers. It emphasizes natural gas as a cleaner energy source supporting local jobs and energy independence. (Note: As a procedural resolution, this summary is kept to 2 sentences per guidelines.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4198) excludes basic pay received by New Jersey resident military members for active duty or active duty for training from state gross income taxation. It directly affects New Jersey residents serving in the Armed Forces or National Guard who receive basic pay as part of their military compensation. The bill expands New Jersey’s existing tax exclusion - which already covers housing allowances, food allowances, and combat zone pay - to include basic pay, the primary component of military salaries. This change applies immediately to taxable income years starting after the bill’s enactment. Currently, New Jersey excludes other military allowances but not basic pay, making this a specific policy update to align more closely with federal tax treatment for military compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new expedited court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who never paid rent, had no lease, or permission to live on the property. Property owners must submit a verified complaint with specific certifications (e.g., occupant never paid rent or had written permission) and provide written notice to the occupant before filing. The court must schedule a hearing within 5 business days and issue a writ of possession if the certifications are verified, requiring immediate removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases can recover treble damages for unlawful occupancy beyond standard remedies. The process applies only to occupants without any legal basis for occupancy, as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10,000 matching grant program to help eligible military members buy homes in New Jersey. It directly assists U.S. Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard members who served at least 90 days in Operation Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom, have NJ residency, and plan to purchase a NJ primary residence. Grants cover closing costs, equity payments, or other home-buying expenses on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with no income requirements. The program, funded by a $2 million appropriation, coordinates with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and may prioritize applicants also eligible for other homebuyer programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits unlicensed individuals from using the title "Nurse" or the abbreviations "R.N." or "A.P.N." without holding a valid nursing license. It amends existing New Jersey nursing laws (P.L.1947, c.262 and P.L.1991, c.377) to explicitly include these titles in the list of terms restricted to licensed registered nurses, practical nurses, or certified advanced practice nurses. The law aims to prevent public confusion by ensuring only qualified professionals can represent themselves as nurses, protecting patients from misleading claims about healthcare providers' credentials. This change applies to all individuals and businesses in New Jersey using such titles in any context.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program to address staffing shortages at New Jersey's veterans memorial homes (Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland). It appropriates $370,000 to fund recruitment bonuses of up to $6,000 per registered or licensed practical nurse hired, and reimburses current staff for education costs to obtain nursing licenses (capped at $7,500 per semester), requiring a two-year work commitment post-graduation. The program also mandates specialized training in geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs must report annually on participation and outcomes to the Governor and Legislature.