Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers in New Jersey to safely pass pedestrians, cyclists, and users of mobility devices like wheelchairs, scooters, and skateboards. Drivers must either change lanes (if safe), maintain at least four feet of distance, or slow to 25 mph when passing these road users. It specifically defines "personal conveyance" to include devices such as electric scooters, manual wheelchairs, and skateboards, and expands "pedestrian" to cover workers and emergency responders on roadways. Violating these rules results in fines of $100 (without injury) or $500 (with injury), plus penalty points for serious violations. The law, now effective as P.L.2024, c.11, aims to improve safety for vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts licensed New Jersey master plumbers from needing an electrical contractor business permit to install, replace, or maintain specific appliances: electric water heaters (under 240 volts) and air conditioning condensing units. It directly affects licensed master plumbers who perform these common residential and commercial tasks. The law amends existing electrical regulations to clarify that plumbers with appropriate master licenses can handle these installations without also holding an electrical contractor permit, removing a redundant requirement. This change allows plumbers to offer these services directly, potentially increasing competition and reducing costs for homeowners and businesses.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 130) urges New Jersey's Governor and Legislature to create programs supporting social work education. It specifically addresses the high student debt burden faced by social work students (average $26,500 for bachelor's degrees and $48,000 for master's degrees) and low median salaries ($50,390), which deter individuals from entering the field. The resolution proposes initiatives like scholarships and loan redemption programs to incentivize social work careers and strengthen the state's workforce. It directly affects prospective and current social workers pursuing degrees in New Jersey. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal request for action.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 134) urges the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides monthly internet discounts and device subsidies to low-income households. The ACP currently serves over 20 million households nationwide - including 335,079 in New Jersey as of January 2024 - with discounts of up to $30 monthly (or $75 for Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 device subsidy. Without congressional action, the program is set to expire in April 2024 after exhausting its $14.2 billion budget. The resolution highlights how the ACP helps households access essential services like education, healthcare, and remote work by closing the digital divide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to review reimbursement rates paid to child care providers participating in the state's child care assistance program, specifically focusing on providers offering early morning or late evening hours. If the review finds current rates inadequate for these non-traditional hours, DHS must seek federal funding (like Child Care and Development Block Grant waivers) to cover the shortfall. DHS must then publish a written report of the review online and provide copies to affected providers upon request. The bill expires once this report is issued, aiming to address current reimbursement gaps that only cover about seven operational hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises eligibility for Medicaid-covered adult medical day care services in New Jersey. It directly affects Medicaid enrollees with functional or cognitive impairments who need assistance with daily tasks. The key change simplifies requirements: individuals now only need to show they require help with at least one "activity of daily living" (like dressing, bathing, or eating), have a physician's recommendation, and provide updated medical history and a physical exam report. The bill defines "adult medical day care" as community-based daytime programs offering health and support services, aiming to make this community-based care more accessible instead of institutionalization.

Maddy summaryAJR 168 designates March of each year as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) Awareness Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution aims to increase public and medical community understanding of FMD, a rare vascular condition causing abnormal arterial growth that can lead to complications like hypertension, stroke, or kidney issues. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities during March, as FMD often goes undiagnosed (with potential impacts on 4-5% of the population) and lacks a known cure or standardized treatment protocols. It does not create new funding or policies, but seeks to support existing efforts by the Fibromuscular Dysplasia Society of America.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all youth sports team coaches in New Jersey to complete certified CPR and first aid training before coaching. It directly affects coaches of teams for children under 18, defined as nonprofit, league-affiliated, or municipal recreation teams. Coaches must obtain a certificate from the state Health Commissioner, who will establish the training requirements. The law mandates this training to ensure coaches can provide immediate life-saving care during sports activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4265) creates a program to pay monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers providing specific, credible information that leads to enforcement actions (like penalties or settlements) can receive 15-30% of the money collected, or up to 10% if the information came from public sources like media or government reports. It excludes current Treasury employees and individuals who planned the violations they reported, and protects whistleblowers from retaliation under existing law. The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome.