Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Chief Diversity Officer (within the Treasury Department) to partner with the Business Action Center and Economic Development Authority to organize regular outreach events and training programs for certified minority and women-owned businesses. The programs will promote awareness of state contracting opportunities and provide practical training in areas like marketing, finance, technology, and project management. These activities must occur virtually or at community locations (including non-profits or faith-based sites) throughout the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Chief Diversity Officer in the Treasury Department to create and run programs aimed at increasing contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned businesses. It expands the officer's existing duty of tracking current contracting data (like contract values and percentages going to these businesses) to actively develop new initiatives. The direct effect is on state procurement processes, aiming to help minority- and women-owned businesses secure more state contracts. The key change is shifting from passive monitoring to proactive program development, as specified in the amendment to P.L.2017, c.95.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4103) requires a construction permit for certain asbestos-related work on single-family homes, duplexes, or townhouses. It applies to activities like repairing, removing, or encapsulating asbestos-containing material (defined as materials with over 1% asbestos by weight) on the interior or exterior of these properties. The permit is required in addition to other existing permits, but work involving less than 1,000 square feet of asbestos material is exempt. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules to implement these requirements, effective three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes the Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special license plates for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to vehicles registered in the state. Owners who apply for these plates must pay an additional fee, with the collected money placed in a dedicated fund to support the fraternity's mission and programs after administrative costs are covered. The design and color scheme of the plates will be selected in consultation with the fraternity's Eastern Region leadership, and the program includes provisions for publicizing the option to eligible motorists.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to display a person's full legal name - including Roman numerals - on specific driver's licenses, permits, and identification cards. It directly affects residents whose legal names (as recorded on birth certificates) include Roman numerals (e.g., "John Smith III"). The MVC must display these names upon receiving standard documentation proving identity, age, and residence, as already required for license issuance. The policy applies to all standard licenses, REAL ID cards, and commercial driver's licenses, ensuring official documents reflect legally recognized names.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system for New Jersey Transit (NJT) to use camera-equipped buses to enforce parking violations that block bus lanes, bus stops, or bicycle lanes. It authorizes NJT to issue citations based on recorded images of vehicles parked illegally in these zones (e.g., stopping in a dedicated bus lane or bicycle lane), after staff review. Key provisions require cameras to be visibly marked on buses, images to be stored securely for up to six months only if evidence of a violation exists, and strict rules against using facial recognition. The policy directly affects drivers who park illegally in these areas and gives them a limited process to contest citations (e.g., if the vehicle was a school bus or emergency vehicle).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care to change how respite care services are authorized for individuals under 21 with developmental disabilities. It establishes a 12-month authorization period (replacing the current 90-day renewal) and mandates that families receive a separate "bank" of respite care hours - distinct from regular family support hours - to use for agency-hired, agency-weekend, or self-hired respite care based on their needs. Families must undergo an annual review of service needs and outcomes but cannot have their authorized respite hours reduced. The bill applies directly to families of eligible youth and ensures continuity of care while maintaining current service levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two regional passenger advisory committees for NJ Transit: one for North Jersey and one for South Jersey. Each committee, composed of 15 appointed members who regularly use transit in their region, must provide input on fare increases, service cuts, or expansions before the transit board votes. Members must reside in specific counties and either be regular riders or have significant transit experience. The committees will review board agenda items and submit written feedback prior to meetings, ensuring customer perspectives are formally considered in key transit decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4338) requires New Jersey courts to consider specific factors when appointing a guardian for an adult who may need care due to incapacity. Courts must evaluate the individual's health and safety, the potential guardian's ability to provide care, any existing relationship between them, medical evidence of incapacity, and other relevant details. The court must base its decision on clear and convincing evidence and document the reasoning for the guardianship appointment on the court record. This applies to all types of guardianship, including for the person, estate, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises visitation requirements for registered professional guardians in New Jersey, mandating they visit their wards at least once every three weeks instead of the current once every three months. It maintains existing reporting obligations, requiring guardians to provide court-ordered updates on the ward's condition and estate. The changes specifically apply to professional guardians (not family or non-professional guardians) appointed to care for adults under guardianship. The goal is to increase oversight frequency and ensure more consistent monitoring of wards' well-being.