Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A276 establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" to address student mental health needs in public schools. The task force, including state agency leaders and appointed representatives from schools, mental health organizations, and communities, will survey existing mental health resources across all counties and regions, consult with parents and school staff, and develop recommendations to improve access to mental health services. It must produce a final report within one year to the Governor, Legislature, and all school districts, focusing on identifying student mental health challenges, evaluating counseling programs, funding needs, and successful models from other states. The bill directly affects public school students, families, and school districts by aiming to strengthen mental health support systems within New Jersey's education system.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensing for owners and operators of boarding houses in New Jersey, including cooperative sober living residences (which serve individuals recovering from addiction). It clarifies definitions - such as "boarding house" (excluding hotels/motels) and "cooperative sober living residence" - and mandates separate licensing categories for owners and operators, with fees ranging from $150-$600. Operators must obtain a license from the Department of Community Affairs (or a participating municipality), and violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per building. The law directly affects boarding house operators, sober living residences, and the Department of Community Affairs, which administers the licensing process.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Business Action Center (within the Department of State) to study vacant commercial properties and their impact on small businesses. The study must be completed within one year and include: existing local tracking efforts, progress on rehabilitating abandoned properties, current financial/technical assistance programs, business owner surveys about finding space, and recommendations. It does not change existing laws but aims to inform future policy by gathering data on how local governments address vacant commercial real estate. The report will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and strengthens New Jersey's law against interfering with child custody. It defines specific actions as interference (like taking, detaining, or concealing a child to deprive a parent of custody) and creates a tiered penalty system: minor offenses (first/second) are disorderly persons offenses with a $500 minimum fine, while more severe violations (taking a child outside the state or for over 24 hours) are third-degree crimes, and taking a child outside the U.S. is a second-degree crime. The law also includes defenses for parents who reasonably believe they're protecting a child from immediate danger or fleeing physical harm, provided they notify authorities within 24 hours. It directly affects parents, guardians, or custodians involved in custody disputes who may take or hide a child.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retailers who sell tobacco or vapor products to people under 21. First violations now carry $500 fines (up from $250), second violations $1,000 (up from $500), and third or subsequent violations $2,000 (up from $1,000). Small businesses with clear compliance policies pay only $100 for the first violation. Five percent of collected fines will fund public education on vapor product dangers and illegal sales. Retailers must also post new signs at points of sale and vending machines warning that selling to minors is prohibited.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits received by a child in out-of-home placement (such as foster care) to reimburse the state for the child's care costs. Instead, DCF must use these benefits - like Social Security or Veterans benefits - to cover the child's unmet needs (e.g., medical or educational expenses beyond state coverage) or save them in a dedicated account for the child's future. DCF is required to apply for federal benefits on behalf of eligible children, maintain separate accounts for these funds, and provide annual reports to the child, parents, and court on their use. The law ensures children's federal benefits directly support their personal needs and future, rather than offsetting state expenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standardized credit transfer rules for New Jersey public colleges and universities, replacing previous "collective agreements" with requirements set by the Secretary of Higher Education. It creates a New Jersey Transfer Ombudsman within the Secretary's office to resolve disputes between students and institutions about credit transfers, conduct compliance reviews every three years, and publish annual reports on transfer outcomes. Public institutions must now provide transfer students with data on program completion rates and ensure associate degrees earned at community colleges are fully transferable toward bachelor's degrees. The changes directly affect students transferring between NJ public colleges and universities, as well as the institutions themselves, by standardizing credit recognition and adding oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an affirmative defense for individuals who commit crimes as a direct result of being victims of human trafficking. Under the bill, a victim of human trafficking cannot be prosecuted for any crime under New Jersey's criminal code (Title 2C) if two conditions are met: (1) they were a trafficking victim at the time of the alleged crime, and (2) the crime was committed as a direct result of the trafficking. The defense remains available even if there was no conviction for the underlying trafficking offense. This policy change applies to all criminal offenses covered under New Jersey law, including human trafficking, prostitution, and related offenses, aiming to prevent victims from facing criminal charges for acts committed under duress.
Maddy summaryThis bill bans the use of regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in all menstrual products sold in New Jersey. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of products like tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable). The law requires products to be tested for PFAS at or above 10 parts per million, with results shared with the Department of Health, and violations would be enforced under the Consumer Fraud Act with fines up to $20,000. The ban takes effect 18 months after enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3132 requires secondhand dealers of cell phones and wireless devices to document each transaction with the device’s ID number (MEID/IMEI/ESN) and verify seller identity. Dealers must collect two forms of ID (including one photo ID), confirm the seller is the lawful owner, and record details if photo ID is unavailable. The bill prohibits dealers from selling devices with altered identifiers or knowingly purchasing devices from sellers providing false information. Violations incur civil penalties of $250-$1,000 per offense, collected by the Division of Consumer Affairs. This applies to dealers purchasing used phones, excluding carriers and their authorized retailers.