Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for parents to pay past-due child support owed to New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) for children in its care. It specifically voids all existing child support arrears (over $3 million in 2023), related court judgments, liens, and warrants for these cases, making them unenforceable. The change aligns with a 2022 federal policy allowing states to reduce child support collection efforts for children in foster care, addressing that 90% of involved parents are indigent and collection costs often exceed amounts recovered. This directly affects parents legally responsible for children in DCPP custody, removing financial barriers to family reunification.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the list of transportation infrastructure projects eligible to receive loans from New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank for Fiscal Year 2025. It adjusts which projects qualify, changes their priority order, and modifies the allowable loan amounts for specific projects. The bill authorizes the bank to expend up to $61.4 million (an increase from $53.8 million) for these projects, which include bridge repairs, road improvements, pedestrian bridges, and trail projects across various municipalities. Local government units, including cities, counties, and townships, would be directly affected as they apply for these loans to finance transportation infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryS 3308 requires New Jersey electric utilities to accept and process interconnection applications for grid supply solar facilities up to 20 megawatts. Utilities must approve applications unless incomplete (with specific feedback provided) or unsafe (with modification suggestions), and must compensate approved facilities for electricity supplied in real time. Facilities must pay interconnection costs and comply with utility tariffs. This applies to commercial solar projects selling power to the grid, excluding net metered, on-site, or community solar installations. The bill streamlines grid access for mid-sized solar developers seeking to connect to the state’s electric system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to consult with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) when a court finds an individual with a developmental disability abused or neglected a child. It mandates DCPP to work with DDD to create a tailored services plan for that individual, considering their specific disability. The key mechanism ensures therapeutic services (like counseling or support programs) are designed around the person's disability needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. This directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities who are found to have abused or neglected a child and are eligible for DDD services.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4935) creates an Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Program within the Department of Labor to connect employers in the AI industry with apprentices focused on AI technology, data analytics, and automation. It also establishes a tax credit allowing employers to claim up to $5,000 per qualified apprentice (half of their wages, capped annually) against New Jersey’s gross income tax and corporation business tax. To qualify, apprentices must work at least 20 weeks per year in a compliant AI apprenticeship program (max four years), covering roles like AI software development or generative AI content creation. The program requires collaboration between employers, educational institutions, and the state to develop training pathways. This directly affects AI industry employers and unskilled/semi-skilled workers entering AI careers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers to cover remote patient monitoring services for pregnant patients who cannot receive in-person care. Remote patient monitoring involves using digital devices to collect health data (such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and weight) from patients and securely transmit it to healthcare providers for analysis. The law amends Medicaid coverage to include these services for pregnant patients, ensuring they can access care when in-person visits aren't possible. This applies to Medicaid beneficiaries and requires insurers to cover these services without additional cost-sharing or prior authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1323) clarifies key definitions for New Jersey's Aspire Program, which provides tax credits to support economic development projects. It revises terms like "commercial project" (requiring 50,000+ square feet of office/retail space in most areas) and "collaborative workspace" (minimum 2,500 sq ft with specific community features) to determine eligibility for tax credits under the 2020 Economic Recovery Act. The changes directly affect developers seeking tax credits for qualifying projects, such as large-scale commercial redevelopments in designated areas. The bill does not create new incentives but refines how existing program rules apply. It was signed into law as P.L.2025, c.2.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an internet-based tracking system for rape kits (also called sexual assault forensic evidence kits). The system will allow victims, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and labs to monitor a kit's journey from collection at a medical facility through testing and final disposal. It mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for this tracking system, ensuring transparency in the chain of custody. The law, which became effective in January 2025, directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and forensic labs handling these kits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the AI and Labor Market Study Commission to examine how artificial intelligence affects New Jersey's workforce. The commission, composed of 11 members including state officials and private experts (with at least four having AI expertise), will identify jobs at risk of displacement, develop worker transition programs, and recommend policies. It creates a Job Transition Fund - initially funded by existing state job training money - to support displaced workers through education, training, and job placement services. The commission must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature at least twice yearly.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum attorney fee cap in New Jersey workers' compensation cases from 20% to 25% of the amount recovered in settlements, judgments, or orders. It specifically applies to cases involving medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability claims, ensuring attorneys can be compensated fairly for securing these essential benefits. The bill clarifies that awarded fees cannot be deducted from payments for medical treatment or temporary disability benefits. It also maintains judges' discretion to consider hourly rates in certain fee determinations while addressing a recent court ruling on fee calculations. The changes apply immediately to pending cases.