Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for failing to report suspected abuse or exploitation of elderly people living in care facilities. It raises the maximum fine for facility staff (like nurses or social workers) who don’t report from $500 to $1,500, and for the facility itself from $2,500 to $5,000. The law maintains existing reporting requirements: staff must report suspected abuse immediately if serious injury occurs, or within 24 hours otherwise. These higher fines apply to each violation and are enforced through summary court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all municipal court judges, Superior Court judges handling domestic violence cases, and judicial personnel processing domestic violence complaints or sexual assault allegations (outside domestic violence contexts) to complete a minimum of three hours of annual training. The training must include at least 1.5 hours focused on sexual violence topics like dynamics, survivor impact, and risk factors, plus core domestic violence content covering trauma, safety planning, and legal procedures. Initial training must be completed within 90 days of appointment or transfer, with annual refresher sessions required thereafter. Currently, municipal court judges lacked a statutory minimum training requirement, which this bill establishes to ensure consistent, standardized education across all judicial levels.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 21) symbolically recognizes New Jersey’s longstanding relationship with Israel and honors the contributions of Israeli-Americans to New Jersey and the U.S. It highlights economic ties, including Israeli companies investing in New Jersey manufacturing and technology sectors, and references the 1989 New Jersey-Israel Commission that fosters cultural and economic exchanges. The resolution expresses the state’s appreciation for this relationship and commits to sending copies to Israel’s U.S. and U.N. ambassadors. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges these connections.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Education to provide assistive technology to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia or related conditions. It requires the Commissioner of Education to award grants to seven selected school districts (representing diverse urban, suburban, and rural areas across different county classifications) to cover the cost of assistive technology devices, services, and teacher training. The technology must help students access grade-level reading materials through text-to-speech tools or complete written assignments more effectively. Participating districts must submit detailed applications showing student needs, technology plans, and how the program will improve academic outcomes. At the program's conclusion, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on participation, impacts, and recommendations for potential statewide implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students in New Jersey who are 16 or older, enrolled in 12th grade, residents of the state, and maintaining good academic standing to take career certificate courses at county colleges. Students must get written permission from their high school principal, but they do not need a state-endorsed diploma or GED to enroll in these credit-bearing courses. County colleges must permit enrollment if space is available, though they are not required to waive existing prerequisites or application procedures. The policy applies specifically to career-focused courses, not general college classes, and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 17-member commission to study how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of K-12 students in New Jersey and assess available school mental health resources. The commission, including state agency heads, education and mental health experts, and school representatives, will identify which students and schools faced disproportionate mental health challenges, analyze impacted resources, and recommend staffing, funding, and program improvements. It must consult parents and teachers, then submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year, with copies sent to all school districts. The commission will expire 30 days after the report is issued. This directly affects New Jersey's public school students, districts, and state agencies managing mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that public employee pension benefits in New Jersey be calculated using only base salary - regular, periodic pay - as defined by employer policies - not overtime, bonuses, or other extra compensation like holiday pay, vacation pay, or retroactive raises. It explicitly excludes forms of "extra compensation" such as lump-sum payments for accumulated sick leave, pay for temporary duties, or individual salary adjustments made near retirement. Pension benefits will no longer include these excluded payments, and any contributions made on them must be refunded without interest. The Division of Pensions and Benefits will investigate cases where reported base salary appears to include such extra compensation.

Maddy summaryAJR 17 is a commemorative resolution designating August 27 of each year as "Billy Cray Day" in New Jersey. It does not create new laws or programs but aims to raise public awareness about abuse and neglect in congregate settings for individuals with developmental disabilities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor this day, referencing the 2017 death of Billy Cray - a 33-year-old man with developmental disabilities found deceased in a congregate setting - and ongoing concerns raised by the Ombudsman's office. This resolution serves solely as a symbolic observance, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to send a confirmation notice to voters who apply for mail-in ballots and request delivery to a different address than their registered voting address. The notice, sent to the voter's registered address, will confirm the separate mailing address and provide instructions for correcting errors in the request. It directly affects voters who choose a non-registered address for ballot delivery, ensuring they are notified of the change. The bill amends existing election law to add this mandatory notification requirement, which is not currently required under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1612) requires New Jersey school districts with grades 9-12 to biannually share a list of students who left school before graduating (without intending to continue elsewhere) with their local Workforce Investment Board. The list must include each student's name, last known address, and phone number, and must be provided by February 15 and July 15 each school year. It directly affects school districts serving high school students and Workforce Investment Boards, aiming to connect early-leavers with workforce services. The requirement mirrors an existing 2000 Department of Education directive but formalizes it into law.