Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1618 requires all public school districts to submit annual reports to the Department of Education (DOE) by April 30 each year on computer science courses offered. The reports must detail course availability (including AP courses), subject matter, teacher demographics (gender, credentials), and student enrollment disaggregated by gender, race, special education status, and socioeconomic factors. The DOE will compile this data and publish it online by October 1 annually. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and aims to track participation gaps in computer science education to address underrepresentation of women and minorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A937) expands what certain New Jersey alcohol manufacturers can sell on their premises. It allows limited breweries, wineries producing under 250,000 gallons annually, farm wineries, cideries, meaderies, and craft distilleries to sell each other's products for off-premises consumption. The bill also permits these manufacturers to coordinate with third-party restaurants for food service (without operating restaurants themselves), increases the annual brewing limit for restricted breweries from 10,000 to 50,000 barrels, and removes the requirement for tours to sell products on-site. Additionally, it allows limited breweries to host up to 52 annual on-premises special events and private parties without needing permits or notifying authorities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2303) requires colleges and universities to report any allegations of sexual misconduct committed by health care professionals (such as nurses or therapists) who work at the institution to the state licensing board that oversees their profession. The licensing board must then investigate the allegation to determine if disciplinary action - like suspending the professional’s license - is needed. Institutions reporting in good faith are protected from civil lawsuits, and the bill does not prevent schools from conducting their own internal investigations or reporting crimes to police. The policy directly affects higher education institutions and state licensing boards, focusing on ensuring professional accountability without altering existing school disciplinary processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new law enforcement employers (such as county/municipal police departments, educational institutions, state agencies, or NJ Transit) to reimburse former employers for training costs when an officer moves to a new position within 120 days of resignation. The reimbursement amount depends on the officer's prior tenure: 100% if they resigned after a probationary period or less than two years of permanent service, or 50% if they had two to three years of permanent service. The bill covers examination, hiring, and training costs including course fees and base salary during training. New employers must complete reimbursement within 120 days of the new appointment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including employer-sponsored group plans, individual policies, and health maintenance organizations - to cover prenatal genetic testing during the first trimester of pregnancy. It specifically mandates coverage for three test types: carrier screening (a cheek swab to identify inherited disorder genes), nuchal translucency screening, and chorionic villus sampling. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions, applying to all plans delivered or renewed in New Jersey after the bill's effective date. This directly affects pregnant individuals with health insurance in the state by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these specific early-pregnancy screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the credit given to individuals incarcerated for failing to pay court-imposed financial obligations (like fines, fees, or motor vehicle penalties) from $50 to $90 per day of confinement. It directly affects people who default on such payments and are jailed, allowing them to apply more of their time served toward reducing their outstanding debt. The change modifies two sections of New Jersey law (N.J.S.2C:46-2 and R.S.39:5-36) to raise the minimum daily credit amount. Incarceration remains a penalty for willful default but now provides greater relief toward the original debt. The policy change aims to provide more meaningful credit for time served while maintaining that the full debt amount must still be paid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to provide written informational materials to all students in grades K-12 about the U.S. citizenship process. The materials must cover applying for citizenship, preparing for tests, and local citizenship workshops, and must be available in English, Spanish, and any other language significant to the district's student population. School districts must also host two annual parent sessions (in-person or virtual) explaining citizenship steps. The New Jersey Department of Education will develop guidelines to help districts identify resources. The law applies to all public school districts starting the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county and municipal police departments to create designated safe areas on their property for in-person exchanges of items listed on classified websites (like Craigslist). It requires police to install video cameras in these areas for safety, prohibits police from regulating transactions or being held liable for crimes occurring there, and permits departments to run public awareness campaigns with safety tips. The bill directly affects residents using online classifieds for sales, police departments establishing these zones, and public safety efforts around transaction risks. It also mandates the Attorney General to notify all relevant police departments about this new authority.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A2282 establishes the Office of Resilience within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. The office, led by an executive director reporting to the DCF Commissioner, will develop trauma-informed strategies, run public awareness campaigns about ACEs, and create research-based tools to build resilience in children and adults affected by trauma. It will coordinate statewide community efforts with non-profits and early childhood providers to reduce ACE exposure and support healing. The office must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Community Crisis Response Advisory Council within the Department of Health to develop recommendations for community crisis response programs. It creates a pilot program in Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic Counties to fund community-based crisis response teams that provide non-law enforcement intervention for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, including mental health and substance use issues. The program appropriates $10 million, with grants up to $2 million per municipality for eligible community-based organizations that partner with harm reduction centers and meet specific community engagement criteria. The pilot requires annual reporting on program status and a final report after three years with recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects municipalities in the five counties, community-based organizations, and individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who would receive alternative crisis response services instead of law enforcement involvement.