Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers to attach a red tag with the warning "UNPLUG WHEN NOT IN USE" to the charging cord of certain electric products. It applies to low-speed electric bicycles, scooters, motorized bicycles/scooters/skateboards, and their lithium-ion or storage batteries before sale or distribution. The Division of Consumer Affairs must provide a model tag on its website for compliance. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, directly affecting retailers and distributors of these products.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman's authority to handle complaints about abuse or exploitation involving elderly residents in senior housing communities. It specifically requires the ombudsman to "elicit, receive, process, respond to, and resolve" such complaints in "age-restricted developments," defined as communities complying with federal housing rules for older persons. The change directly affects elderly residents living in these senior housing communities and ensures they have a dedicated channel for addressing safety concerns. The bill amends existing law to add this complaint resolution duty without altering the ombudsman's other core functions or creating new funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public and independent colleges and universities to maintain a supply of opioid antidotes (like naloxone) in secure, accessible locations. Institutions must create a policy allowing licensed campus medical staff and trained employees to administer the antidote in good faith to anyone showing signs of an opioid overdose - including students, staff, or visitors - and mandate hospital transport after administration. The policy must include training on standardized protocols based on the state's Overdose Prevention Act. The bill also provides liability protection for good faith actions taken under these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2125) expands New Jersey's wrongful imprisonment statute to include individuals mistakenly convicted of a crime and later civilly committed as a "sexually violent predator" under P.L.1998, c.71. It allows these claimants to sue the state for damages if they prove, by clear and convincing evidence, they did not commit the crime and did not cause their conviction through misconduct. Damages would be calculated as either twice their pre-incarceration income or $50,000 per year of imprisonment (plus $25,000 per year of post-release supervision), with possible non-monetary relief like vocational training. Claimants must file within two years of release, conviction vacating, or pardon. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disparities exist in how state agencies use minority-owned and women-owned businesses for purchasing goods and services. The study must determine if these businesses are underutilized compared to their availability in the state. After completing the study, the officer must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with follow-up reports every four years assessing implementation of prior recommendations and whether new studies are needed. The report could inform potential policy changes to improve opportunities for these businesses in state contracting. This affects all state agencies, including departments, commissions, and independent authorities that award public contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3446) requires New Jersey's Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the General Assembly, or other authorized officials to prioritize racial and gender diversity when appointing members to state boards, commissions, or similar bodies established by law. It mandates that appointing authorities consider achieving a membership reflecting the state's racial and gender makeup as a "primary consideration" for all appointments made after the bill takes effect. The requirement applies unless it conflicts with specific circumstances of the appointment or the original law creating the body. The bill defines "gender" to include gender identity and "race" as major groupings based on physical characteristics or ancestry. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2119 requires the Secretary of Higher Education to establish statewide standards for awarding college credit for prior learning at public colleges and universities. These standards mandate that institutions accept at least 15 credits of prior learning (including work experience, military training, or industry certifications) and create clear processes for assessing credit, transferring credits between schools, and resolving disputes. Public institutions must adopt policies aligned with these standards, either through partnerships with Thomas Edison State University or qualified third parties, while prohibiting per-credit tuition fees for this credit. The bill directly affects students seeking to earn degrees faster and public colleges, which must comply with these requirements starting in the next full academic year.

Maddy summaryAJR 17 designates July each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects - conditions affecting about 1 in 1,700 U.S. babies - which can cause feeding, speech, and dental challenges. It encourages New Jersey community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to collaborate on education, outreach, and research to support affected families and advance understanding of these conditions. The bill is procedural, requesting the Governor issue an annual proclamation to recognize the month.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2068, "Rocky's Law") requires animal rescue organizations, shelters, pounds, and pet shops in New Jersey to document and disclose an animal’s health and behavioral history to potential adopters or buyers. Facilities must obtain veterinary medical records, behavioral assessments, and safety certifications before adoption/sale, including details like medical conditions, past behavior, and vaccination status. They must provide written disclosure to adopters/buyers with a notice that records may be incomplete, and sign a verification form. Non-compliance - including posting unsubstantiated behavioral claims online - incurs penalties, and facilities may face liability for harm caused by undisclosed behavioral issues.