Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to provide free menstrual hygiene products - such as tampons, sanitary napkins, and menstrual cups - to eligible low-income individuals who menstruate. Eligible enrollees would receive these products at no cost by presenting a valid Medicaid card at participating pharmacies, with the quantity and frequency determined by health experts in consultation with the Department of Human Services. The program depends on federal approval of a waiver under the Social Security Act to legally cover these products under Medicaid, as current federal rules prohibit such purchases. The goal is to address "period poverty" by ensuring reliable access to essential hygiene products for low-income menstruators, reducing health risks and school absences linked to product shortages.

Maddy summaryAJR 18 creates a temporary "Teacher Professional Development Task Force" to study New Jersey's current requirements for public school teachers and school leaders. The 11-member task force - comprising the Education Commissioner, six Governor-appointed representatives from education groups, and four public members with relevant expertise - will examine the scope, topics, and frequency of mandated professional development. It must recommend changes to these requirements, including whether current trainings are overly burdensome or need additional topics, within 12 months. The task force will issue a final report to the Governor and Legislature but does not change existing requirements itself.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryAJR 65 designates the date of the second new moon following the winter solstice (or the third if a leap month is needed) as "Lunar New Year" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this date and encourages schools and cultural institutions to observe it with appropriate activities. It directly acknowledges the cultural significance of Lunar New Year for New Jersey's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, which make up approximately 10% of the state's population. This symbolic gesture does not create a legal holiday but formally recognizes traditions celebrated by many residents.

Maddy summaryMatthew's Law Limiting the Use of Restraints (A1012) restricts physical and mechanical restraints on people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries to emergency situations only, prohibiting their use as planned interventions in behavior modification plans. The bill requires medical orders within 15 minutes of restraint application, limits restraint duration to one hour, mandates physician examinations within one working day, and requires facilities to report all restraint use as "unusual incidents" to parents/guardians and state agencies. It also prohibits aversive techniques and mandates staff training in positive behavior approaches. The legislation is named after a teenager with autism who was improperly restrained at a State-licensed facility in Haddonfield.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that a live virtual link be posted on the Board's website for all meetings, including public comment sessions, and allows attendees to participate remotely via video call. The policy directly affects the public - including parents, educators, and community members - who wish to attend or comment on Board meetings. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation statute (N.J.S.2C:16-1) by removing a provision that required a victim's subjective belief about the defendant's purpose. It replaces this with a standard based on whether a "reasonable" person would be intimidated due to protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. The change corrects a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that found the original victim-perception standard unconstitutional for being too vague. This adjustment aligns the bias intimidation statute with the "reasonable person" standard used in the stalking statute, which has been upheld in court.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 25) expresses opposition to New York's congestion pricing plan, which would charge drivers entering Manhattan's central business district (south of 60th Street) to fund public transit. It directly affects New Jersey residents who commute to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, or George Washington Bridge, as they would face new tolls without receiving transit benefits. The resolution urges the Federal Highway Administration to require New Jersey stakeholders' inclusion in decision-making before finalizing the plan. As a symbolic resolution, it does not change policy but formally states New Jersey's position on the matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed beverage producers (like breweries, wineries, and distilleries) to sell their products at seasonal farm markets with a permit. It requires separate permits for each market, with daily permits costing up to $25 and annual permits up to $75. The permit enables off-premises sales and limited sampling, but explicitly excludes roadside farm stands (defined as single-farmer sales directly from their farm). The permit is tied to the producer's existing license and must be renewed annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to install and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on every train set used for passenger service. It mandates that AEDs be kept accessible, tested regularly, and clearly marked with signs. NJT must also ensure trained staff are present on all operating trains to use the devices and provide CPR, while notifying emergency services about AED locations. The law directly affects NJT passengers, staff, and emergency responders by improving cardiac emergency response on public transit. The bill specifies liability protection for NJT and its employees using the AEDs.