Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create a centralized database tracking habitability violations in rental properties, including fire safety, health, and utility issues reported to landlords or municipalities. The database will categorize defects by severity (non-hazardous to immediately hazardous) and duration, and its contents will be used as evidence in court during landlord-tenant disputes. Landlords who fail to include tenant attorney fee clauses in leases face $500 penalties for first offenses and $1,000 for repeat violations, with tenants also able to sue for these penalties. Additionally, the bill removes a previous exclusion that barred public housing tenants from proactively suing landlords for habitability issues under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching certifications (endorsements) for educators. It allows teachers to teach students with disabilities across all grade levels (excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing students), combine elementary and middle school teaching under one K-8 endorsement, and teach bilingual education with new language proficiency requirements. Currently, teachers must hold separate certifications for different grade levels or subject areas. The changes aim to simplify certification for special education, K-8 instruction, and bilingual programs while requiring language skills for bilingual educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to conduct a study examining whether disparities exist in the use of minority-owned and women-owned businesses when state agencies purchase goods and services. The study will assess if these businesses are utilized at rates matching their availability in the market, focusing on all state agencies, including departments, commissions, and independent authorities. After completing the study, the officer must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature to promote greater opportunities for these businesses in state procurement. The officer will also submit follow-up reports every four years to evaluate progress on prior recommendations and request funding for future studies if needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates up to $20 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Education specifically for school facility cleaning and sanitization. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools that receive a written health directive from the New Jersey Department of Health or a local health officer to close due to potential COVID-19 exposure (starting March 9, 2020). Funds cover disinfectants, cleaning supplies, and increased personnel costs for enhanced cleaning schedules. The Commissioner of Education must establish an expedited application process and allocate funds based on student enrollment across all eligible schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all law enforcement disciplinary records in New Jersey to be treated as public government records, making them accessible to the public. It directly affects law enforcement agencies (including school police, correction officers, and probation officers) and the public, while protecting certain personal information like home addresses, medical details, and witness identities through redaction. The bill mandates that agencies retain these records for at least 20 years, with bodycam videos requiring longer retention (until case resolution) if tied to criminal, disciplinary, or civil proceedings. This creates a standardized system for transparency in officer discipline without altering the content of the records themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a rebate program for residents purchasing microfiber washing machine filters. It appropriates $2.5 million to cover rebates of up to $100 per filter (capped at the filter's cost), helping residents offset the expense of devices that capture microfibers from laundry wastewater before they enter waterways. The DEP must determine eligible filters, manage applications, and report annually on program effectiveness, including rebates issued and pollution reduction impact. The program aims to reduce microfiber pollution - a major source of plastic contamination in waterways - by encouraging filter adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of all school meal programs in New Jersey from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education. It covers programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and emergency meal distributions, which provide nutritious meals to students and children in childcare settings. The transfer includes all related functions, funding, staff, records, and existing rules (which remain in effect until replaced by the Department of Education). The change aims to align program management with the Department of Education’s mission of supporting student academic success through school-based services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A1793, prohibits New Jersey landlords from restricting how tenants pay rent or where they must pay it. Landlords cannot require payment only by specific methods (like cash or credit card) or force tenants to pay rent at locations outside their building. They must accept cash, personal checks, and credit/debit card payments, and cannot charge fees for these methods or for paying at any location. Violations could result in a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's firearms regulations by requiring that firearms purchaser identification cards be valid for four years (expiring on the holder's birthday in the fourth year after issuance), rather than indefinitely as under current law. It also requires applicants to complete a firearms safety training course approved by the State Police within four years prior to application (with exemptions for law enforcement and veterans). Additionally, the bill revises inheritance procedures for firearms, requiring heirs or legatees to possess a valid firearms purchaser identification card or permit to purchase a handgun before taking possession of inherited firearms, with specific procedures for transferring firearms to law enforcement if the heir doesn't qualify for a permit.