Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryBill A4887 requires people under 17 to wear helmets while operating bicycles, scooters, or motorized scooters in New Jersey, expanding current helmet requirements that previously applied only to bicycles. The bill mandates businesses selling or renting these devices to post warning signs and provide helmets to minors who don't have them, with civil immunity for compliant businesses. It exempts certain areas like trails or closed roads from the helmet requirement but applies when operating on public roads or paths. This bill amends existing laws to cover additional personal mobility devices with the goal of increasing safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury and Department of Human Services (DHS) to annually identify unspent state funds available for NJ FamilyCare, evaluate care quality for beneficiaries, and create a prioritized list of the 12 most urgent improvements needed. It directly affects low-income residents enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (which includes Medicaid and children's health insurance) by mandating that state officials assess funding gaps and quality issues. The key mechanism is an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing available funds, care deficiencies, and specific cost estimates for implementing top priority changes. The bill does not allocate new funds but directs existing resources toward addressing identified care shortcomings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to establish animal control programs that provide services, comply with state animal control laws, and implement protocols for handling animals outside owner control. Each municipality must appoint a municipal health officer to oversee the program and coordinate with animal control officers, shelters, and veterinarians. The bill appropriates $500,000 for grants to help municipalities cover implementation costs, with the Department of Health overseeing the grant process and ensuring compliance. It also requires municipalities to establish homeless cat programs, which may include managing cat colonies with specific requirements for veterinary care, spaying/neutering, and ear-tipping. These programs must be implemented through local ordinances with annual reporting to the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education to study and recommend improvements to financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of New Jersey's public colleges and universities. The commission includes the Secretary of Higher Education (ex officio), college presidents, faculty, student representatives, and a fiscal management expert, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. It must complete its work within 180 days of organizing and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature, after which the commission expires. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey by requiring them to be evaluated for improvements in how they disclose costs, manage finances, and ensure student protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey that already have video or audio surveillance systems to keep all recordings for 180 days. It mandates that the Department of Children and Families or a designated third party must review these recordings before they can be deleted. The law does not require centers without existing systems to install new surveillance equipment. It applies specifically to centers licensed under Title 30 of New Jersey law and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities through labor organizations. The program requires labor unions to identify job pathways in their trades and develop plans for hiring returning citizens, directly benefiting individuals recently released from prison who face high barriers to employment. It aims to reduce recidivism by addressing a key factor cited in the bill: the lack of viable jobs for this population, which correlates with higher reoffending rates. The program operates under the State Employment and Training Commission and mandates consultation with labor organizations to create sustainable career opportunities. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3366 establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Program within the Department of Health to identify and support patients with symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires the Department to contract with healthcare providers for screenings, referrals, and follow-up care; provide education for medical staff and the public; and maintain an online resource hub with clinical guidelines and patient materials. It directly affects women experiencing symptoms like severe pelvic pain, irregular periods, infertility, or other menstrual disorder indicators linked to these conditions. The bill mandates standardized data collection for quality assurance while keeping patient information confidential, as required by law. This initiative aims to improve early identification and care for millions of women impacted by these common, long-term health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Health (DOH) to create and update annual guidelines for school districts and colleges on implementing student vaping awareness campaigns. The guidelines must include research-backed materials about vaping's health effects (lung damage, mental health, pregnancy risks), peer pressure strategies, and age-appropriate anti-vaping resources like pamphlets. Schools and colleges would use these guidelines to develop multi-level campaigns targeting adolescents and young adults, focusing on healthy decision-making. The DOE and DOH must post the guidelines online and link to additional anti-vaping resources for schools and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education, effective for the 2026-2027 academic year. It redirects the funding that would have been used for these grants to expand the summer tuition aid program, which provides financial assistance for summer courses. Students at proprietary institutions who received aid before the 2026-2027 academic year may continue to receive it until their eligibility ends. The redirected funds will specifically support summer tuition aid grants for eligible students in future academic years.