Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law that restricted how New Jersey public colleges could charge students for fees related to legislative advocacy. The repealed law prohibited mandatory tuition fees for student groups engaging in legislative activity but allowed optional fees with specific disclosures (e.g., stating the fee isn’t mandatory and isn’t endorsed by the college). The repeal removes these disclosure requirements and restrictions, allowing public colleges to handle such fees without mandated statements. It directly affects public universities and student organizations seeking to fund nonpartisan legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1700) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal anxiety and develop policies for healthcare providers. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women (within one year of childbirth), healthcare providers (including doctors and nurse midwives), and birthing facilities. Key provisions mandate that providers screen patients for perinatal anxiety at least once per pregnancy trimester, before discharge after birth, and during early postpartum visits - using either the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also educate patients and family members about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources, with a focus on including partners and caregivers in the support process.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt poll workers' wages from being counted toward unemployment compensation calculations. Currently, earnings from poll work could reduce or eliminate an individual's unemployment benefits. The bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to specifically exclude wages earned by members of district boards of elections from being considered "employment" for unemployment benefit purposes. This change would directly affect individuals who serve as poll workers during elections and seek unemployment benefits afterward.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4982) prohibits health insurance companies from using a person's body weight to decide whether to cover treatment for eating disorders. It directly affects individuals seeking treatment for eating disorders and all health insurance carriers (including companies, hospitals, and health plans) operating in New Jersey. The key provision bans insurers from considering body weight as a factor in coverage decisions for eating disorder treatments. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment, applying to policies issued or renewed after that date. It does not change coverage requirements for other medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the State House Complex Welcome Center in Trenton as the "Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center" to honor New Jersey's 53rd governor and longest-serving legislator. It requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to install appropriate signage bearing the new name and allows the commission to accept public or private donations to cover sign costs. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming a facility and does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits specific commercial uses of two chemicals: trichloroethylene (TCE) in all commerce, and perchloroethylene (PCE) in both consumer and commercial settings. It requires businesses using PCE to implement worker safety measures to prevent exposure. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must adopt rules mirroring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s December 2024 regulations on these chemicals. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Packaging Product Stewardship Act" requires producers of packaging products in New Jersey to reduce waste through specific targets: a 25% reduction in single-use packaging by 2032 (with at least 10% coming from reusable alternatives or plastic elimination), all packaging must be compostable or recyclable by 2034, and a 65% recycling rate by 2036. Producers can join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to collectively meet these requirements or comply individually, with PROs required to develop detailed stewardship plans funded through fees proportional to packaging volume and environmental impact. Annual surcharges on producers will fund a "Packaging Reduction and Recycling Fund" (up to $120 million total) to improve recycling infrastructure. The bill establishes an Office of Plastics and Packaging Management within the Department of Environmental Protection to oversee implementation and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for building electrification and mandates electric public utilities to develop multi-year plans to replace fossil fuel systems with electric alternatives. The plans must meet specific greenhouse gas reduction targets and be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits like reduced methane emissions. Key mechanisms include converting gas heating/water systems to electric heat pumps, replacing gas appliances with electric models (e.g., induction stoves), and funding contractor training programs. The bill directly affects electric utilities, building owners, and contractors by requiring systemic shifts toward electrified heating, cooking, and industrial processes.

Maddy summaryAJR 166 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to advance the creation of a National Museum of the American Latino. Introduced by Assembly members Rodriguez, Collazos-Gill, and Quijano, it calls for Congress to reinstate a 2008 commission and establish the museum as part of the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., while directing copies to federal leaders and New Jersey's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5519) requires schools, colleges, municipalities, and recreational organizations to provide scheduled water breaks during sports events on artificial turf fields based on local temperature. Specifically, 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 at 100°F or higher unless moved indoors to a temperature-controlled environment. Violations incur a written warning for first offenses and a $100 civil penalty for subsequent violations, enforced by the Department of Health.