Asm. Garnet Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill removes two specific barriers to expunging criminal records in New Jersey. It eliminates a six-month waiting period required before applying for expungement after charges were dismissed through supervisory treatment or diversion programs. It also removes a restriction that previously blocked expungement of a conviction if the person had prior dismissed charges from similar programs. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to clear records of dismissed arrests or convictions that were previously ineligible due to these rules. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summary"Madalyn's Law" requires New Jersey school districts to teach students in grades 4-12 about toxic shock syndrome (TSS) as part of health education, including causes, symptoms, and risk reduction. It also mandates that public restrooms with two or more toilets (excluding elementary schools' lower grades) display signs about TSS warning signs, causes, and dangers, placed near tampon dispensers or in prominent locations. Owners of affected facilities face $100 penalties per violation for non-compliance. The state Department of Health must create signage standards and provide public informational materials about TSS online. The law applies to all school districts and public restrooms meeting the specified criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public colleges and universities in New Jersey to include fees on student tuition bills that fund legislative advocacy groups (organizations attempting to influence legislation). Currently, such fees require a student referendum to be added as "optional" fees; this bill eliminates that requirement, making them "waivable" fees instead. Students would see these fees listed separately on their bills but could choose to have them removed without penalty. The bill requires clear disclosures explaining the fee is optional, not endorsed by the school, and how to waive it. It directly affects students at public higher education institutions and the legislative advocacy organizations receiving these funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that all school boards of education in New Jersey must be members of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). Currently, every school board is mandated to join NJSBA, pay annual dues, and appoint a delegate to represent them. The bill allows school boards to choose whether to join or leave NJSBA at any time, meaning they can avoid paying dues and appointing a delegate if they opt out. As a result, NJSBA membership becomes voluntary for all school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to include data on graduates' post-high school pathways in their annual performance reports ("report cards"). Specifically, schools must report the number and percentage of students achieving "positive placement" after graduation, including those entering apprenticeships. The requirement applies to all schools and districts, adding this metric to existing report card content like graduation rates and college enrollment. The change aligns with current reporting standards for student outcomes and takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a fourth-degree crime for a landlord or property owner to knowingly rent a dwelling that violates housing safety regulations (an "illegal occupancy") and causes serious injury or death to someone. It directly affects landlords who rent properties failing to meet health/safety codes, zoning rules, or housing standards. Violators face up to 18 months in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law does not replace existing civil penalties, such as requiring landlords to cover tenant relocation costs under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to adopt a policy setting temperature standards for classrooms and school facilities. The policy must ensure temperatures support learning by designating staff to monitor compliance, creating protocols for extreme temperatures, and aligning with existing indoor air quality standards. School boards must also identify permitted temperature adjustments that follow building and fire codes. The state education and health departments will jointly create guidance to help schools implement these requirements, effective July 1 after the bill passes.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A856 establishes the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI) as a new principal department within the Executive Branch, replacing the current State Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The bill transfers existing diversity functions from the Department of Treasury and the Division on Civil Rights to the new department, requiring state agencies to develop annual diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility plans. It also mandates that entities receiving state development subsidies or financial assistance must create and implement strategic diversity plans detailing their efforts to promote diversity in hiring, procurement, and business opportunities. The commissioner of DDEI will oversee these requirements, coordinate statewide initiatives, and ensure compliance with diversity standards across state government and recipient entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program (the "MOM Project") under New Jersey's Department of Health to improve oral health access for low-income pregnant women and new mothers who do not qualify for Medicaid. It directly affects eligible mothers (pregnant, low-income, not enrolled in Medicaid) by providing free oral health education (at least three hours covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease links) followed by one year of dental treatment for the mother and child, including cleanings, cavity care, and infant dental visits. The program requires nonprofit health groups to conduct outreach, collect health data, and coordinate with community dental centers to deliver services, with $4.15 million appropriated from the General Fund for administration, education, treatment, and data analysis. The pilot aims to test a sustainable model for integrating oral health services into Medicaid, using data to evaluate outcomes and inform future policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1703) makes landlord-tenant court records confidential for most cases to prevent unfair tenant screening. It requires court records to stay private for 60 days after filing, and indefinitely if the tenant wins or the case is dismissed - only becoming public if a landlord wins a judgment for possession (with exceptions for appeals or tenant remedies). Landlords cannot consider cases that didn’t result in a judgment for possession or judgments older than three years when screening applicants. Additionally, landlords must provide written notices explaining adverse rental decisions and disclosing any screening reports used, with penalties for violations including $1,000+ fines.