Asm. Garnet Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment in New Jersey three years after it takes effect, and ban its use five years after it takes effect. The law covers equipment like mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws that use gasoline or gasoline-oil blends. To encourage the switch, it provides tax credits of up to 25% of the purchase price (capped at $50-$150 depending on equipment type) for zero-emission alternatives. The Department of Environmental Protection can extend the prohibitions if it determines the transition isn't cost-effective or technologically feasible, and the tax credits are limited to a $500,000 total over five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials in public and nonpublic schools. The training covers topics including gender/sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disabilities, religious tolerance, unconscious bias, and diversity. Coaches and athletic directors must complete the training every four years, with new hires required to complete it in their first year. Sports officials must certify completion when applying to officiating associations and renew every four years. The program must be developed with input from the Division on Civil Rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to appoint a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Education Coordinator and four Regional TBI Consultants (one for each of the state's four regions). The Coordinator will develop statewide systems to support students with TBIs - including protocols for hospital-to-school transitions, concussion return-to-class policies, and annual training for schools - and collect data on TBI incidence. Regional Consultants will provide direct support to school districts, helping them create resource teams, address student needs, and coordinate health/community services. The bill directly affects students with TBIs (including concussions), school districts, and school staff responsible for special education planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to remove the automatic disqualification from jury service for individuals with prior convictions of serious crimes (indictable offenses), except for convictions of murder or aggravated sexual assault. It allows people who have completed their sentences for other serious crimes to be considered for jury duty, provided they meet standard qualifications like U.S. citizenship and county residency. The bill does not affect those currently incarcerated for serious crimes, who remain disqualified. This update expands the pool of potential jurors by including more people with past criminal records, while maintaining specific exclusions for the most severe offenses.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1710 bill creates legal protections for children receiving gender-affirming health care by preventing other states from interfering with this care. The bill amends child custody laws to ensure New Jersey courts can handle cases where children receive this care here, and prohibits New Jersey from extraditing, prosecuting, or sharing medical records related to gender-affirming care with other states. It specifically prevents courts from considering a parent's decision to seek gender-affirming care as a factor against them in custody disputes, and stops New Jersey courts from enforcing other states' laws that would remove children from parents for allowing this care. The bill applies to all providers, parents, and medical professionals involved in providing or facilitating gender-affirming care for children in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryACR 31 is a New Jersey legislative resolution applying to Congress for an Article V Convention of States. It seeks to propose constitutional amendments limiting federal government powers, imposing fiscal restraints on spending, and restricting terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution is a continuing application, meaning it remains in effect until two-thirds of U.S. states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step, not a law; it does not change existing federal policy but requests Congress convene a convention to consider specific constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. Pharmacists must verify patients are HIV-negative through recent testing, provide counseling, complete required training, and document services before dispensing. Health insurance plans must cover these medications without prior authorization or step therapy requirements. Patients can receive up to a 60-day supply of PrEP without a prescription within any two-year period before needing a prescription for continued use. Pharmacists must also notify patients' primary care providers about the dispensing, unless the patient declines.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child care subsidy program to cover families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $83,250 for a family of four in 2022), up from the current 200% limit ($55,500 for a family of four). It requires the state to establish at least four income tiers for determining eligibility and co-payment amounts, and appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund for implementation. The bill also ensures subsidy rates for child care - especially for school-aged children during school breaks - do not fall below pandemic-era levels ($83,250 for a family of four in 2022). This directly affects low- and moderate-income families with children under 13 who need subsidized child care services.