Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1783) creates the New Jersey Public Interest Technology Network, requiring the Secretary of Higher Education to establish a network of academics and researchers from New Jersey’s public universities. The network must develop interdisciplinary curricula, create experiential learning opportunities with public/private partners, support graduates entering the field, and establish faculty recognition mechanisms. It defines "public interest technology" as examining technology’s social/ethical implications and using it to support public interest organizations. The bill directly affects New Jersey public universities, faculty, students, and the emerging field of public interest technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law to enhance notice requirements and occupancy restrictions when a potentially hazardous condition is identified in hotels or multiple dwellings. A potentially hazardous condition is defined as an imminent health, safety, or welfare risk, or a deteriorating condition that could become an imminent hazard before the next scheduled inspection. If a violation is deemed potentially hazardous, the commissioner must send written notice with large, easily readable text to municipal officials and property owners, and owners must provide hard copies to residents and post notices in conspicuous locations like lobbies and near elevators. Additionally, owners cannot enter new leases for affected units until the hazard is resolved and a certificate of inspection is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including lecture halls, residence halls, and restrooms. Institutions must ensure access in all women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom, offering varied options like allergy-friendly and different absorbency levels. The state appropriates $85,000 from the General Fund to reimburse institutions for costs, and schools must also provide educational materials on menstrual health and disposal. The policy applies starting the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1940) requires law enforcement officers to provide domestic violence victims with information about their rights in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in New Jersey, as identified in the Supreme Court-approved Language Access Plan. It also mandates the Administrative Office of the Courts to create standard templates for temporary and final restraining orders in these languages for use by law enforcement, municipal courts, and Superior Court judges. These templates would be provided to both victims and defendants when restraining orders are issued. The bill aims to improve language access for non-English speaking domestic violence victims seeking legal protections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2246) makes it a crime to create, sell, display, or possess false documents claiming someone received a COVID-19 vaccine. It imposes penalties ranging from up to 18 months in jail for possessing a fake card (fourth degree) to 5-10 years for selling or making them (second degree). The bill also requires the Attorney General to create a fraud prevention program within 30 days, using confidential access to the state’s vaccination records to investigate and prosecute fake card schemes. The program is limited to verifying vaccination status for fraud cases and cannot share personal health data beyond that purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1481) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish standardized testing methods and reporting requirements for microplastics in drinking water by public water systems within one year. It mandates a two-year study by the DEP and Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to evaluate microplastics removal technologies, including costs, effectiveness, and stakeholder input from scientists, industry, and the public. The study must result in a strategic plan and public report within three months of completion, recommending how to promote these technologies. The bill directly affects public water systems, which must test and disclose microplastic levels, and aims to inform future policy through evidence-based recommendations.

Maddy summaryAJR 88 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) non-binding working definition of antisemitism for New Jersey, stating it as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." This resolution serves as an educational tool for public officials, law enforcement, educators, and employees to recognize and address antisemitism, without creating new legal obligations. It explicitly clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other nations does not constitute antisemitism, and emphasizes the definition is not intended to infringe on free speech protections under the First Amendment or New Jersey's Constitution. The bill references data showing 298 and 347 antisemitic bias incidents in New Jersey during 2020-2021, aiming to improve awareness and response to such incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in seven New Jersey counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, and Union) and major cities to prevent school violence. It trains school staff, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and students to identify and report concerning behaviors using a new threat assessment tool and a science-based training curriculum. The program requires immediate threat reporting mechanisms and annual evaluations by the Attorney General, who must recommend to the legislature whether to expand it statewide. Funding for the initiative will come from the state general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's state and county hazard mitigation plans (used to qualify for federal disaster aid) to include climate change impacts. Any new or revised plan must analyze climate-related threats to infrastructure (like roads and utilities), assess risks to vulnerable communities, and detail prevention strategies based on current science. It directly affects state and county emergency management offices responsible for creating these plans. The law also mandates that other related plans (like floodplain or recovery plans) align with the updated hazard mitigation strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Children and Families (DCF) to award future contracts for medical and dental services to outside vendors, rather than being restricted to state employees. Currently, DOC and DCF must use public employees for these services, which limits vendor options and can increase costs. The bill amends existing law to permit DOC and DCF to select vendors based on the most advantageous proposals considering price and other factors, after current contracts expire. This change aims to improve procurement efficiency and reduce state healthcare costs while maintaining service quality.