Asm. Cleopatra Tucker

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3148) adds the Sons of The American Legion to the list of organizations whose authorized representatives in New Jersey state, county, and municipal employment are eligible for paid leave to attend conventions. It updates existing law (R.S.38:23-2) to include this group while removing two defunct organizations from the list. The provision allows qualifying employees to take up to five paid days annually for convention attendance, consistent with existing benefits for other veterans' organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change the name of South Orange Village from "Township of South Orange Village" to "South Orange Village" and update the municipality's charter to reflect current terminology and practices. It would change titles of municipal officials, replacing "Board of Trustees" with "Council" and "Village President" with "Mayor," and allow the municipality to move nonpartisan municipal elections from May to November. The bill would establish stipends of $12,000 for the Mayor and $8,000 for each Council Member. It would also update the charter to include gender-inclusive language and align with current state law regarding vacancies, conflicts of interest, and governing body procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all correctional police officers in New Jersey state correctional facilities to wear body-worn cameras that record audio and video during most duties, with specific exceptions for restroom use, medical appointments, and certain meetings. It also mandates the Department of Corrections to install comprehensive security camera systems throughout facilities, including blind spots and common areas, with requirements for continuous monitoring by officers and systematic review of footage. The legislation sets minimum retention periods for recordings (180 days), extending to three years for recordings involving complaints, disciplinary actions, or criminal investigations, while establishing procedures for inmate access to footage. These requirements apply directly to correctional officers, inmates, and the Department of Corrections, with disciplinary actions outlined for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3187) requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to create visitation guidance during public health emergencies, mandating that community-based residential providers allow in-person visits between residents with developmental disabilities and their immediate family members or legal guardians. It directly affects residents in licensed settings like group homes, developmental centers, and community care residences, as well as the providers operating these facilities. The key mechanism is DDD developing the guidance in consultation with the Department of Health, then requiring providers to implement it. The bill applies only during declared public health emergencies and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3142) requires parents who homeschool their children to notify their local school district by August 15 each year. It also mandates that school districts maintain a record for each homeschooled child in their area, including the child's name, age, and address. The law applies directly to homeschooling families and their school districts across New Jersey. The bill takes effect immediately upon 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 bill (A3140) expands New Jersey's drug-free zone law to include licensed child care centers. It establishes a 500-foot buffer zone around these centers where distributing, dispensing, or possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute becomes a third-degree crime, punishable by mandatory minimum prison time (1-3 years, depending on the substance). The law directly affects individuals who commit drug offenses within this 500-foot zone around licensed child care centers, which include daycares, preschools, and specialized programs (as defined in the bill). This change addresses a gap identified in *State v. Shelle*, where courts previously excluded child care centers from existing school zone protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the Vietnam Veterans of America to New Jersey's existing law granting paid leave for public employees to attend conventions of recognized veteran organizations. It specifically allows state, county, and municipal employees who are authorized representatives of the Vietnam Veterans of America to take up to five days of paid leave annually for convention attendance, with unused days not carrying over. The law already covered numerous other veteran groups (like the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans), and this bill also removes two defunct organizations from the list. The change applies immediately to all eligible public employees across New Jersey's government sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey family day care providers (those operating homes for 3-5 children at a time) to register with state-approved organizations, changing the system from voluntary to mandatory. Providers must pay a $25 registration fee and undergo annual monitoring by sponsoring organizations, which will also provide training and maintain records accessible to parents. The Department of Children and Families must issue an annual report tracking registered homes, children served, and parent inquiries, with summaries publicly available online. These changes aim to standardize safety oversight while replacing the previous voluntary system.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.