Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summary"Madalyn's Law" requires New Jersey school districts to teach students in grades 4-12 about toxic shock syndrome (TSS) as part of health education, including causes, symptoms, and risk reduction. It also mandates that public restrooms with two or more toilets (excluding elementary schools' lower grades) display signs about TSS warning signs, causes, and dangers, placed near tampon dispensers or in prominent locations. Owners of affected facilities face $100 penalties per violation for non-compliance. The state Department of Health must create signage standards and provide public informational materials about TSS online. The law applies to all school districts and public restrooms meeting the specified criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to establish a statewide voter list maintenance and crosscheck program. The program must verify voter information by cross-checking the Statewide voter registration system with data from the Motor Vehicle Commission (for driver's licenses), the Department of Health (death records), and correctional agencies (incarceration/parole records). It mandates an annual report to the Governor and Legislature, due 90 days after the November election, including county-level data on inactive/active voters, voter removals, and counties not meeting program standards. The bill directly affects county election officials who must implement these crosschecks and maintain accurate voter rolls.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for mammograms starting at age 35, lowering the current requirement from age 40. It mandates one baseline mammogram for women at age 35 and annual mammograms for women 35 and older. Women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors would still receive coverage as determined by their healthcare provider. The legislation amends multiple sections of New Jersey law to implement this change across various health insurance plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to allow any member who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits if they develop a disability linked to that work. It presumes that health conditions from 9/11 exposure (like respiratory illnesses or PTSD) resulted from their duties if they worked at least eight hours at the site, or if they had a documented injury preventing further participation. Members who later retire on ordinary disability or service retirement can also seek recalculated benefits if they develop qualifying 9/11-related disabilities. The policy change applies to all PERS members, regardless of when they joined the system, removing previous restrictions that limited eligibility to specific roles like emergency medical technicians.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (a suction device for clearing airway blockages) placed in accessible locations like cafeterias and nurse offices during school hours and events. Schools must display clear signage marking device locations and develop policies requiring staff training in airway management and device use. The state Department of Education will reimburse schools for device costs and provide annual training opportunities for school nurses and staff. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 33 designates June of each year as "Cancer Survivor Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with awareness activities. It aims to increase public understanding of cancer survivors' ongoing physical, emotional, and financial challenges, as noted in the resolution's preamble. This is a symbolic designation with no new funding or legal requirements, focusing solely on raising awareness.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1554 requires proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration when applying for or renewing a driver's license, ID card, or other motor vehicle services at the MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission). It mandates the MVC Chief Administrator and Secretary of State to conduct an initial audit of all voter registrations processed through MVC since May 1, 2021, followed by annual audits of newly registered voters. These audits must be completed 30 days before each primary election, with reports submitted to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects voters registering via MVC services and ensures registrations meet eligibility requirements under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to implement safeguards to prevent ineligible individuals from registering to vote through automatic voter registration during driver's license or ID card applications. Specifically, it mandates the MVC to provide separate application forms for people who do not meet voting eligibility requirements (such as citizenship or residency), which cannot include voter registration options. The bill also requires clear notices about voter eligibility rules and disqualifications, including penalties for false registration, and ensures applicants can decline automatic registration. These changes aim to protect the integrity of voter registration by preventing ineligible applicants from accidentally registering to vote.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 57) urges New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off the New Jersey coast. It is prompted by the unexplained deaths of at least 12 whales (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphins recorded near offshore wind development areas since December 2022. The resolution calls for pausing these activities to allow for scientific study of potential links between sonar/mapping technologies and the marine life deaths. As a resolution, it does not create law but formally requests federal and state agencies to halt related operations pending investigation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A415 requires voters to present a valid form of identification that bears their name at polling places to receive a ballot. Acceptable IDs include a New Jersey driver's license, REAL ID card, passport, military ID, or voter registration card. If a voter cannot show ID or the ID does not match their information, election officials may challenge their eligibility, but the voter can still prove their identity through the established process. The bill ensures eligible voters are not denied the opportunity to cast a ballot if they provide acceptable identification or verify their identity as outlined.