Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator. The coordinator will develop a master plan for dementia care, coordinate existing state programs, prevent service duplication, identify gaps in care, and improve access to quality treatment for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The position is authorized to request data from state agencies and consult with experts, with all departments required to cooperate. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to implement these changes. It directly affects individuals with dementia, their families, and the state agencies providing related services.

Maddy summaryAJR 231 designates March 9 of each year as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in New Jersey. It requests the Governor to annually display the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag at the State Capitol and encourage other state and local government buildings to do the same on March 9 and other specified commemorative dates. The resolution recognizes Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained, referencing historical cases like Robert A. Levinson’s abduction and recent incidents. This is a symbolic gesture with no new legal requirements, focusing on observance rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5422) allows businesses registered with New Jersey's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to opt into receiving updates about new regulations and economic incentives via email instead of paper mail. It directly affects businesses required to register with the Division (including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, but excluding nonprofits and government agencies). Key provisions include: businesses can provide an email address during registration or renewal to receive digital notifications, the Division shares these emails with the Department of Labor for communication, and businesses can later switch back to paper mail by requesting it. The bill replaces mandatory paper notices with an electronic option while maintaining the ability to revert to traditional mail.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey allocates state funding for auxiliary and remedial services provided to students in nonpublic schools. It requires the Commissioner of Education to establish a new monthly reimbursement process where school districts can apply for funding to cover costs incurred. The commissioner must set maximum per-service aid amounts based on historical data about service needs, eligible students, and costs to ensure funds are fully used by year-end. The bill removes previous requirements for districts to refund unspent funds and for the commissioner to reduce funding when appropriations fall short.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A1888, protects residents of long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, assisted living residences, and dementia care homes) and individuals in the admission process. It prohibits facility staff, owners, or financially affiliated persons from serving as a resident's legal representative (guardian or attorney-in-fact), invalidating any such power of attorney. The bill requires facilities to use a standardized state-developed admission form, bans signing non-admission documents at entry, and mandates posting a notice about hiring an attorney for Medicaid applications. It also sets rules for non-attorney Medicaid assistance, requiring training and prohibiting fees for such services.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to accept voluntary donations, grants, or gifts from the public and private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs). The funds received would be deposited into a special nonlapsing state fund managed by the State Treasurer and must be used exclusively for producing these PSAs. It directly affects the DMVA's funding mechanisms for suicide prevention outreach, allowing it to supplement existing efforts without requiring new state appropriations. The bill does not change existing suicide prevention programs but creates a new funding pathway for PSAs through private or public contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5455) changes the quorum requirement for New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking. Currently, the 17-member commission needs 9 members present to conduct business, but vacancies often prevent this. The bill authorizes the commission to exercise its powers and duties when a majority of its *current* members are present, rather than requiring a fixed 9-member quorum. This change aims to ensure the commission can function effectively despite staffing gaps. The commission evaluates trafficking laws, reviews victim services, and promotes awareness - key duties that were previously hindered by quorum issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to require that all original music and musical scores developed for qualifying productions must be produced and recorded domestically within the United States. The requirement directly affects film and digital media companies seeking tax credits under the program, making domestic music production a necessary condition for eligibility. The tax credit program allows eligible producers to claim credits of 30-40% of qualified production expenses, with additional requirements related to New Jersey-based work. This policy change updates the program to ensure that music content for eligible productions is created within the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6275) appropriates $44.4 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds are specifically allocated for acquiring lands for recreation and conservation, including Blue Acres flood mitigation projects and administrative costs for the Green Acres Program. The bill directs funding toward 15 specific land acquisition projects across six counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Bergen, and Burlington), as detailed in the bill text. It does not create new policy but redirects existing constitutionally protected tax revenues to support land conservation efforts.