Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to mandate that students identified as engaging in bias-related conduct meet with a certified school psychologist weekly for at least nine months. The law defines bias acts as any behavior motivated by protected characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation that creates a hostile environment, and includes actions like displaying hate symbols or using discriminatory language. Districts must employ psychologists trained in implicit bias and racial equity to provide restorative interventions aimed at understanding underlying causes and preventing future incidents. The legislation emphasizes support and education over purely punitive measures, requiring staff training and transparent reporting to address rising bias incidents in schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to set aside at least 30% of their advertising budget for eligible local news organizations. The law defines eligible news organizations as those that produce original local content, maintain editorial independence, and meet specific operational and financial criteria. State agencies purchasing advertising must reserve this portion of their budget specifically for these qualifying local news outlets. The legislation aims to support local journalism by ensuring a steady stream of advertising revenue while maintaining the editorial freedom of news organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1315) establishes standardized credit transfer policies between New Jersey's public colleges and universities. It requires all public institutions to create a statewide transfer agreement ensuring general education credits and associate degrees transfer seamlessly to four-year programs, and a reverse transfer agreement allowing students enrolled at four-year schools to earn associate degrees from community colleges for credits completed there. The bill creates a new "New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson" within the Higher Education office to resolve disputes over credit transfers and monitor compliance. It directly affects public colleges, students transferring between institutions, and community colleges offering associate degrees. The bill is pending before the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3955) requires New Jersey's Business Action Center to study vacant commercial real estate and its impact on small businesses. The study must examine how local governments track vacancies, assess existing programs aiding vacant space, survey business owners' experiences finding space, and recommend improvements. The report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's effective date. This bill does not create new programs but mandates a review to inform future policy decisions. It directly affects small businesses seeking commercial space and local governments managing vacant properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create a public online registry listing out-of-state contractors awarded public construction contracts that require prevailing wages. It directly affects contractors whose main business is outside New Jersey, excluding satellite offices or temporary locations. The registry, maintained by the State Treasurer, will include project details, contractor trade names, and business addresses, and must be accessible on the Treasury Department’s website. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4486) requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to award academic credit to students who earn a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or 50 or higher on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) assessments. It applies specifically to students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees who completed the relevant high school courses/exams before enrolling. Institutions must post their credit policies online, submit them to the Higher Education Secretary, and notify the Secretary 60 days before changing policies. The bill also allows limited exemptions for specific courses if institutions provide data showing different score requirements are needed for student success.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey SNAP retailers to display informational posters about preventing benefit fraud. The posters, provided by the Department of Human Services, will include practical tips for SNAP recipients, such as securing their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards. Retailers must place these materials prominently where SNAP shoppers can easily see them. The law applies to all authorized SNAP retailers in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide contactless EBT cards to all eligible SNAP recipients by January 31, 2027. The cards, which allow users to tap or wave them at checkout instead of swiping, must be distributed free of charge. DHS must secure a vendor agreement for card production, terminate contracts if deadlines are missed, and publish a county-by-county progress report within six months of the bill's enactment. The legislation aims to modernize New Jersey's SNAP benefits system by replacing current EBT cards with contactless technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers in New Jersey to store bath salts - defined as crystalline or flaked substances used to perfume or soften bathwater - in locked display cases or behind counters, accessible only to employees. It directly affects retailers selling bath salts, mandating physical restrictions to limit consumer access. First violations result in a written warning, while repeat violations could lead to fines up to $20,000 under consumer fraud laws. The sponsor states the goal is to prevent minors from misusing bath salts, though the bill itself focuses on retail display requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that replacement benefit cards for the Work First New Jersey program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) must include written instructions on how to lock and unlock the card to prevent unauthorized use. Currently, replacement cards are issued without these security instructions. The change ensures recipients receive clear, actionable guidance when obtaining a new card, directly affecting individuals who need replacement cards for cash assistance or food benefits. This amendment modifies existing law (Section 5 of P.L.1997, c.37) to mandate the provision of security protocols at the time of card replacement.