Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "sheltered market program" allowing New Jersey state agencies to reserve certain contracts for certified businesses including minority-owned, women-owned, disabled veterans' businesses, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and other economically or socially disadvantaged enterprises. State agencies must seek approval from the Chief Diversity Officer to designate contracts for this program, using criteria like historical underutilization of certified businesses. The program requires agencies to publish designated contracts online, conduct outreach to eligible businesses, and submit annual reports tracking contract awards and performance. Contracts under the program cannot exceed three years, and prime contractors must make good-faith efforts to offer subcontracting opportunities to qualified businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to make a good faith effort to increase the use of certified minority and women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors in state procurement. It mandates agencies to develop specific goals based on a statewide disparity study (to be completed by August 2029), which found minority and women-owned businesses currently receive only 4-15% of prime contract dollars across different sectors. Contractors must submit utilization plans detailing how they'll engage these businesses, with waivers available for those who make good faith efforts but can't meet requirements. Agencies must report annually on progress toward goals, with the bill set to expire on December 31, 2029 if the disparity study shows no continuing disparity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4720) requires New Jersey's Chief Diversity Officer in the Department of Treasury, working with the Business Action Center and the Economic Development Authority, to host regular outreach events, training workshops, and educational programs for certified minority and women-owned businesses. It directly affects these businesses by providing access to technical, managerial, financial, and marketing support - including project management and technology assistance - to help them compete for state contracts. The bill mandates these activities be conducted virtually and statewide, focusing on increasing awareness of these businesses in state contracting and improving their capacity to secure contracts. The requirement takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2402 authorizes special license plates for active and honorably separated U.S. Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, and business owners they control. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and $10 annual renewal fee, with proceeds funding a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually allocates money to the U.S. Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard seal and design approved by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Coast Guard. Implementation requires 500 pre-paid applications and $25,000 in initial funding from the Coast Guard or private donors before plates can be issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or guardians with 60 days' written notice before increasing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), first-class mail, or in-person delivery to the parent's last known address, and also post it on their website and display it prominently at the center. The notice requirement applies to all tuition rate changes occurring three months after the bill's enactment. This directly affects parents of children enrolled in licensed child care centers by giving them advance warning of fee changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey farm employers who pay workers above a regional wage benchmark. It directs the Department of Labor to set an annual "regional farm wage" by averaging agricultural wages from Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Employers receive corporation business tax and gross income tax credits equal to the difference between what they pay workers and the regional wage benchmark, capped at 50% of tax liability. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to four tax periods. The bill affects farm employers in New Jersey who hire workers on piece-rate or hourly pay for farm labor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $250,000 grant program administered by New Jersey's Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support scientific conferences hosted by the state's colleges and universities. Institutions of higher education can apply for grants to cover costs like venue rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for scientific conferences, but not food or unrelated vendor expenses. Applications must include conference details, speaker credentials, and cost information, with grant amounts determined by the Secretary. The program aims to help local academic institutions host scientific events by offsetting specific operational costs.

Maddy summaryBill A2100 creates a presumption that public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and developed illnesses covered by the CDC’s World Trade Center Health Program are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. It removes time limits for filing claims and requires documentation from the CDC program to prove eligibility. Benefits cannot duplicate existing state or federal compensation for the same condition. This applies only to workers currently enrolled in the CDC’s WTC Health Program, not to all 9/11 responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities to install electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) in common areas when all residents and their authorized representatives consent. It also permits residents to install EMDs in private rooms with the consent of roommates in double occupancy rooms. The bill specifies that EMDs must be unobstructed and recording at all times, with common area footage retained for 90 days. Group home licensees must develop internal policies for EMD use, and residents can access footage related to incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The bill aims to balance resident safety with privacy rights through voluntary, consensual use of EMDs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in every athletic facility and student center, placed in unlocked, accessible locations during normal operating hours. Institutions must also maintain a supply of naloxone nasal spray near each AED for opioid overdose emergencies, with a designated campus medical professional overseeing its administration and storage. Staff must include at least two trained individuals in CPR and AED use during facility hours, and all equipment must be regularly maintained per manufacturer guidelines. The bill provides legal immunity for institutions and staff acting in good faith to comply with these requirements.