Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and the New Jersey Board of Nursing to provide homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification exams in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Tagalog. It directly affects individuals seeking these certifications, particularly non-English speakers who may face language barriers during testing. The law mandates that both written and oral exams be available in these languages to ensure accessibility. The agencies can adopt additional rules under existing administrative procedures to implement this requirement, which takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to administer professional license examinations in English and the four most commonly spoken languages in the state (other than English), instead of only English with optional Spanish for practicing licensees. It directly affects cosmetology applicants and license holders seeking to take or renew their licenses. The key provision mandates the Division of Consumers Affairs to post these four languages on its website and verify them every five years. The bill does not change current requirements for Spanish or translator assistance but expands language options based on statewide demographics.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3366 establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Program within the Department of Health to identify and support patients with symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires the Department to contract with healthcare providers for screenings, referrals, and follow-up care; provide education for medical staff and the public; and maintain an online resource hub with clinical guidelines and patient materials. It directly affects women experiencing symptoms like severe pelvic pain, irregular periods, infertility, or other menstrual disorder indicators linked to these conditions. The bill mandates standardized data collection for quality assurance while keeping patient information confidential, as required by law. This initiative aims to improve early identification and care for millions of women impacted by these common, long-term health conditions.

Maddy summaryAJR 112 designates the calendar week beginning Sunday that includes September 10th each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or services but encourages statewide awareness and community activities around suicide prevention. It requests the Governor annually issue a proclamation to recognize the week and promote existing resources like the NJ Suicide Hopeline. The bill directly affects all New Jersey residents by fostering community engagement with the state's ongoing suicide prevention efforts. It is procedural, focusing on recognition rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to secretly install or use electronic tracking devices or apps to monitor another person's location without permission, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. It defines "electronic tracking devices" (like GPS trackers) and "tracking applications" (like hidden location apps) and creates a legal presumption that secret tracking is for illegal purposes like stalking. Key exceptions include parents tracking minor children, monitoring individuals at health risk, business property tracking during transactions, employer vehicle monitoring (with required notice), and explicit consent from the person being tracked. Consent must be in writing for devices or explicit opt-in for apps, and can be revoked if spouses file divorce petitions or domestic violence restraining orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to inform students with federal student loans about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program during their final two academic semesters. It also mandates that state government employers provide employees with PSLF information during onboarding and annually thereafter. The required information must include eligibility details, the program's website, and federal requirements (20 U.S.C. §1087e), and can be delivered electronically, by mail, or in person. The goal is to increase awareness of this federal program, which forgives student loans after 10 years of qualifying public service work.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Health (DOH) to create and update annual guidelines for school districts and colleges on implementing student vaping awareness campaigns. The guidelines must include research-backed materials about vaping's health effects (lung damage, mental health, pregnancy risks), peer pressure strategies, and age-appropriate anti-vaping resources like pamphlets. Schools and colleges would use these guidelines to develop multi-level campaigns targeting adolescents and young adults, focusing on healthy decision-making. The DOE and DOH must post the guidelines online and link to additional anti-vaping resources for schools and families.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates the 5-year statute of limitations for the state to collect income tax from taxpayers who received an erroneous refund due to a fraudulent return. Under the new law, the Division of Taxation can assess additional tax at any time if the refund resulted from a false or fraudulent return filed with intent to evade tax - aligning this treatment with the existing rule for fraudulent returns (which already has no time limit). The bill explicitly excludes cases of negligence, honest mistakes, or reliance on incorrect advice, focusing only on intentional fraud. It applies retroactively to assessments made within the 5 years preceding its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases out New Jersey's State tuition aid grants for students enrolled in proprietary institutions of higher education, effective for the 2026-2027 academic year. It redirects the funding that would have been used for these grants to expand the summer tuition aid program, which provides financial assistance for summer courses. Students at proprietary institutions who received aid before the 2026-2027 academic year may continue to receive it until their eligibility ends. The redirected funds will specifically support summer tuition aid grants for eligible students in future academic years.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (AR 164) recognizing Bruce Springsteen's 75th birthday. It formally celebrates his New Jersey roots, career achievements (including over 120 million albums sold and 20 Grammys), and philanthropy, with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents. The resolution directs the Assembly Clerk to send copies to Springsteen and his family. As a commemorative measure, it does not enact new law or affect any legislation.