Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal court via closed-circuit television (CCTV) instead of in person, expanding current law (which only covered trafficking involving sexual activity) to include all human trafficking cases. The court must first determine that the victim or witness would suffer severe emotional distress testifying in person, and the testimony must remain under oath with the defendant allowed to cross-examine. Judges are now permitted to request CCTV testimony on their own motion, and for minors, audio recordings are confidential but transcripts are part of the court record. This change aims to protect vulnerable individuals while maintaining legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow teaching candidates awaiting certification to secure employment with New Jersey school districts by submitting a signed affidavit. The affidavit would affirm they've met all certification requirements, accompanied by proof they applied for a certificate. School districts would be required to accept this affidavit during hiring, but candidates must confirm their certificate is issued within 90 days or face termination. The bill protects candidates from reimbursing districts for salary if they acted in good faith and later discovered missing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary option in buildings until a required report is issued. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to hold at least six public hearings across the state within 18 months, gathering input on costs, environmental impacts, and effects on workers and low-income residents. The DCA must then submit a report within 24 months, summarizing findings and recommending actions for reducing emissions from buildings. The bill does not ban voluntary electric system use or incentives, nor does it prevent individuals from choosing electric systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover annual mental health screenings under the same terms as other medical services. It applies to individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and state health benefit programs. Insurers must provide this coverage without applying more restrictive limitations than those for other medical services. The law mandates coverage for mental health conditions as defined by current medical standards. The bill will take effect 90 days after enactment for all plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship to help residents pursue workforce-focused education. It provides up to $5,000 annually toward tuition, fees, and required materials for students enrolled in eligible programs at New Jersey county colleges or vocational schools, after applying other aid. Eligible programs must align with state labor demand in fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, education, and transportation, and students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or complete a financial literacy course. Scholarships are awarded yearly based on available funds, with priority for high-demand fields and a minimum 5% allocation for dual-enrollment students, requiring annual reporting on program outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to a maximum of 14 days. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension beyond this 14-day period through a concurrent resolution. The Governor cannot issue identical or substantially similar orders for the same emergency after one expires under this rule. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency measures, federal compliance requirements, internal state government operations, military orders, or orders issued under other laws with longer terms.

Maddy summaryACR 26 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring that all bills or joint resolutions levying new state taxes or increasing existing taxes must pass both the New Jersey Assembly and Senate by a three-fifths majority vote (60% of members present), instead of the current simple majority requirement. This change would directly affect any legislation proposing new taxes or tax hikes, including budget-related tax measures. The amendment would apply to bills introduced after January 9, 2007, and requires voter approval via referendum at the next general election. It does not alter voting requirements for non-tax legislation or other types of bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tuition assistance for retired New Jersey law enforcement officers who left service due to disability. Eligible officers can attend public colleges or licensed private colleges tuition-free for up to 16 credits per semester, covering costs not covered by existing state or federal grants and scholarships. To qualify, officers must have retired in good standing after at least four years of full-time service, be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing, and have applied for all other available financial aid. The state reimburses institutions directly for qualifying tuition expenses, modeled after similar benefits for National Guard members.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint an advocate in specific criminal cases involving animal welfare - such as animal cruelty (R.S.4:22-17) or dog fighting (P.L.2015, c.85) - to represent the animal's best interests. The advocate monitors the case, reviews records from animal control and veterinarians, shares information with attorneys, and recommends placement or care to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring the AOC to submit a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A213) exempts contaminated sites (designated by NJDEP) and industrially-zoned land from New Jersey's affordable housing requirements under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). It prevents municipalities from imposing fair share housing obligations or charging fees on developers for projects on these sites, including remediation or development. The policy change directly affects developers working on such properties and municipalities that would otherwise collect fees. By removing these financial disincentives, the bill aims to encourage remediation of contaminated land and industrial development without triggering additional affordable housing mandates.