Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's legal terminology by replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) throughout state statutes. The change affects multiple sections of law including those related to crimes, sex offender registration, employment disqualifications, and educational programs. The purpose is to use more accurate language that reflects the reality of these crimes and avoids implying consent from victims. The sponsor states this terminology update is not intended to change the substance of the law, but to make the language more consistent with current understanding and international standards. The bill corrects technical inconsistencies in existing statutes while maintaining the same legal protections and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers with 10+ employees to publicly announce promotion opportunities to all current employees in the relevant department before making a promotion decision, unless based solely on experience or performance. It also mandates that employers include salary ranges and details of benefits/compensation for the first 12 months in all job postings for new positions, transfers, or promotions. Employers violating these requirements face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Temporary staffing firms are exempt from posting pay details for general job listings but must provide this information at the time of interview or hire for specific roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. If bodily injury occurs, assaulting a law enforcement officer would become a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison) rather than third-degree under current law. The bill also requires offenders to submit to testing for communicable diseases when assaulting these professionals, with positive results shared with the victim. It expands the list of protected professionals to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel under the assault with bodily fluids provision. These changes would apply to offenses occurring after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's 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 directly affects high school students who take these exams before enrolling in college and public institutions of higher education. The law mandates that institutions post their credit policies online, report policies to the Higher Education Secretary, and allow limited exemptions for specific courses if institutions provide data showing different score requirements are necessary for student success. Students must be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and have completed the exams while in high school (grades 9-12) to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires main contractors (prime contractors) who win state construction, goods, or services contracts to notify subcontractors listed on their bids within 30 days of winning the contract. The notification, sent by certified mail, must include the state agency awarding the contract, a description of the main contractor's work, and the subcontractor's specific tasks with a timeframe. Prime contractors are not required to notify subcontractors about separate paperwork, permits, or deadlines needed to perform work. Failure to provide this notice within 30 days subjects the prime contractor to penalties specified in their contract.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies and procurement directors to make a good faith effort to increase contracts awarded to certified minority- and women-owned businesses for purchases not requiring public bidding (typically under $250,000). It sets a specific goal of achieving a 30% aggregate increase in these contracts within five years of the bill's effective date. To meet this, state agencies must submit monthly reports to the State Treasurer detailing their efforts, while the Treasurer develops implementation guidelines and submits biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature on progress. The bill directly affects state agencies handling procurement, the Division of Purchase and Property, and the Division of Property Management and Construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to update the state's Disparity Study every five years, starting January 1, 2029. The updates must track changes in how often small, minority-owned, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses secure state government contracts. The study, originally completed in 2024, directly affects state procurement policies and these business categories. This ensures regular assessment of opportunities for underrepresented businesses in state contracting.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state agencies to provide certified business enterprises with up to 10% of a contract’s value as an advance payment before work begins. It directly affects certified small, minority/women-owned, LGBTQ+, veteran, and disadvantaged-owned businesses that bid on state contracts but lack upfront capital. Contractors must request the advance in their bid, share it proportionally with certified subcontractors within 60 days, and repay if they fail to start or complete the work. The Division of Revenue Business Certification Program in the Treasury Department determines eligibility for these certifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide tax credits to New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities meeting specific criteria. Employers could claim a credit equal to 15% of wages paid to qualifying employees (up to $2,000 per employee) against corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, employees must have a disability recognized under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, work at least 35 hours per week, earn at least $15 per hour, and not be independent contractors. Employers must apply for certification from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, with specific timelines for review and approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4744) requires six New Jersey authorities (NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA) to consider and prioritize minorities and women in hiring decisions and to consider and prioritize minority-owned and women-owned businesses when awarding contracts. The bill defines "minority" to include Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals, and specifies detailed criteria for minority and women-owned businesses. Each authority must publish demographic data about their employees and contractors on their websites, including counts by gender, race, and ethnicity with average salary and contract values, updating this information quarterly. The provisions for PANYNJ and DRPA will only become effective after New York and Pennsylvania pass similar legislation.