Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3718) creates the Highlands Conservation Trust to permanently preserve environmentally sensitive lands in New Jersey's Highlands Region. The Trust will acquire and manage land to protect natural resources like forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats, preserve historic sites, and provide passive recreation opportunities. It will fund its work primarily through revenue from special "Highlands Conservation" license plates sold to vehicle owners. The Trust is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor and state officials, with land acquisition focused on areas defined under existing Highlands protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey hospitals and birthing facilities to show new parents (and any adult family members present at birth) a water safety video before discharge. The video covers drowning risks in bathtubs/pools, importance of swimming lessons, life jacket use, and pool safety features like anti-entrapment drains. Facilities must incorporate this viewing into standard discharge procedures. The video will be created and distributed by the state Department of Health via website or electronic means. It directly affects new parents and newborns in New Jersey hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Second Chance Program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program provides career opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals by partnering with labor organizations to identify and create employment pathways in local trades. It directly affects people recently released from prison who face significant barriers to stable work. The key mechanism requires labor organizations - defined as per federal law - to collaborate with the state in developing job placement plans, aiming to reduce recidivism through meaningful employment. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refund program for businesses that pay application fees for state permits, licenses, or certifications when processing exceeds set time limits. State agencies must submit detailed catalogs of their permit types, fees, and current processing times to the Governor, who then sets recommended processing deadlines. If an agency fails to meet the recommended deadline after receiving a complete application, it must refund the fee (without affecting the permit's approval status). The program applies to all state departments, boards, or authorities issuing such permits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1,000,000 grant program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Children and Families to help licensed child care centers build kitchen facilities. It directly affects licensed child care centers by providing funds for kitchen construction, with requirements that include submitting detailed plans, demonstrating how the kitchen will support nutrition education, and meeting state building safety standards. Centers must apply with specific documentation, including facility blueprints, a nutrition-focused curriculum plan, and budget details. The program mandates equitable distribution of grants across northern, central, and southern regions, including urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A475) expands eligibility for accidental disability retirement benefits and survivor benefits under New Jersey's Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), State Police Retirement System (SPRS), and Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It extends the filing deadline for accidental disability claims from 5 years to allow for delayed disability manifestations (e.g., from 9/11 exposure), and adds new qualifying health conditions like PTSD, respiratory illnesses, and cancer linked to work exposure. Public safety workers who participated in World Trade Center rescue/cleanup operations (or sustained injuries during those efforts) can now have disabilities presumed work-related without proving negligence, using alternate medical documentation if standard proof isn’t available. This directly affects first responders and public employees with qualifying conditions tied to their duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain standardized highway exit signs directing drivers to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It specifically applies to drivers using EVs on Interstates and limited-access highways, as defined in the law. The signs must follow federal and state design standards outlined in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices." The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A-3708 creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residential dwelling with intent to commit certain offenses (like robbery or violent crimes) while someone is present, using force, threatening violence, or being armed with a weapon. It mandates a 10-30 year prison sentence with no early release under the No Early Release Act (requiring 85% of the sentence to be served). The bill also upgrades burglary of a residence to second-degree if a resident is present during the offense, applying the same mandatory 85% sentencing rule. This law directly affects individuals convicted of these specific home-related crimes, altering sentencing requirements for both new home invasion charges and certain burglary cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3755) requires schools, colleges, municipalities, and recreational organizations to provide scheduled water breaks during sports events on artificial turf fields based on outdoor temperature. Water breaks must occur every 30 minutes at 80°F, every 20 minutes at 85°F, every 15 minutes at 90°F, and every 10 minutes at 95°F or higher. Events must be suspended if temperatures reach 100°F or above, unless moved indoors to a regulated environment. Violations result in written warnings for first offenses and $100 civil penalties for subsequent violations, enforced by the Department of Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.202, prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS (forever chemicals) to most cosmetics sold in New Jersey starting two years after its effective date. It requires cookware manufacturers containing PFAS to notify consumers about their presence. The law directly affects cosmetics and cookware manufacturers, while protecting residents by reducing exposure to PFAS linked to health risks. Key mechanisms include specific product bans, disclosure requirements, and funding for PFAS research and remediation programs. The bill does not apply to trace PFAS from manufacturing impurities or products with PFAS only in internal components.