Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill would enter New Jersey into the Counseling Compact, an agreement allowing licensed professional counselors from New Jersey to practice in other member states without obtaining multiple licenses. The compact establishes a national commission to manage the agreement, share disciplinary information between states, and ensure counselors follow the laws of the state where their client is located. It would particularly benefit military personnel and their spouses who relocate frequently between states, as well as improve access to counseling services across state lines. Currently, 16 states have joined this compact, and New Jersey's participation would allow its licensed counselors to provide services in those states through a single license.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A648) requires all New Jersey public school districts to include water safety instruction in health education for students in grades K-12, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The instruction must cover four key topics: proper use of flotation devices, recognizing water conditions, responding to rip currents, and swimming near lifeguard-monitored areas. It directly affects every public school district and K-12 student in New Jersey by mandating this curriculum as part of existing health education standards. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury to review and approve a blockchain-based digital payment platform designed for legal, licensed businesses that lack access to traditional banking and operate primarily in cash. The platform would enable these businesses to process cashless transactions, convert virtual currency to U.S. dollars at a 1:1 ratio, and record all transactions on a secure blockchain ledger. It mandates state approval for business access, includes features for managing expenses, paying sales tax to municipalities, and meeting regulatory compliance. The bill aims to integrate cash-reliant businesses into digital commerce while ensuring security and auditability.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million from the General Fund. It provides grants to mental health providers to offer confidential mental health services to law enforcement officers or their immediate family members (spouses, children, or parents living together) experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program requires the Commissioner of Human Services to develop application criteria prioritizing providers within one hour of travel distance to maximize accessibility, publish approved providers online, and manage grant distribution. The bill directly affects New Jersey law enforcement officers, their families, and qualifying mental health service providers across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Rocky's Law," requires animal rescue organizations, shelters, pounds, and pet shops in New Jersey to document and disclose an animal's complete medical history, behavioral assessment, and relevant background information to potential adopters or buyers before adoption or sale. Facilities must obtain records including veterinary examinations within 14 days of adoption, behavioral assessments by certified professionals, and detailed history information about the animal's past, including any dangerous behavior or health issues. The bill mandates written disclosure of this information to adopters or buyers with a notice that records may be incomplete, and requires adopters or buyers to sign a form acknowledging receipt of this information. Failure to comply would constitute a violation of consumer fraud law, with facilities potentially liable for five times the adoption fee or purchase price if an animal causes harm due to undisclosed behavioral issues.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A617 authorizes the creation of Juneteenth commemorative license plates for vehicle owners in the state. The bill requires a $50 initial application fee and $10 annual renewal fee (in addition to standard registration costs), with all collected funds deposited into a "Juneteenth License Plate Fund" managed by the New Jersey Historical Commission. This fund must be used to commemorate Juneteenth, and the program cannot launch until the Historical Commission secures $25,000 in private funding and provides 500 pre-orders for the plates. The plates must display commemorative wording/emblems and are subject to standard vehicle registration rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A668) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools. The fact sheet must include practical tips for parents to prevent child drowning, highlight the importance of swimming lessons, and list free/reduced-cost water safety courses by county. Public school districts must distribute this fact sheet to parents when a child is first enrolled, while nonpublic schools are encouraged but not required to do the same. It directly affects parents of newly enrolled students in New Jersey schools and aims to improve access to water safety resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A1807, protects students enrolled in nonpublic career training programs (like private vocational schools) by requiring schools to disclose key information upfront and banning deceptive practices. It mandates schools to share details about program costs, completion rates, job placement outcomes, and certification requirements before enrollment, and to avoid false claims about earnings or employment prospects. The bill also prohibits schools from using commission-based recruitment pay and requires transparency when recommending student loan options. Violations can result in fines up to $20,000 per offense and other penalties enforced by the Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts (S.A.F.E.) within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management. The office would analyze risks and impacts of a widespread technology failure (like a major outage affecting communication, medical services, or transportation), develop response plans for essential services, and provide quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. It would also research technological dependencies, hold public hearings, and create public guides on preparing for such events. The bill directly affects state emergency management operations and planning, not individual citizens or private entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Taxation to audit out-of-state contractors who have entered into state or private contracts funded by state money. The audits will verify if administrative costs are reasonable and properly allocated, review the contractors' financial controls, and examine their annual financial reports. The Division must share each audit's findings with the state agency that awarded the contract and submit an annual summary to the Governor and Legislature. It also establishes a toll-free hotline for confidential reporting of potential issues related to these contractors.