Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar long-term care centers in New Jersey to meet with each resident at least once yearly to verify if their existing "proxy directive" (a document naming a person to make decisions if they lose capacity) remains accurate and up-to-date. It directly affects residents of these facilities and the facilities themselves, without mandating that residents create or maintain a proxy directive. The key provision is the annual review meeting, defined by the bill's language, to ensure residents' chosen decision-makers reflect their current wishes. The bill takes immediate effect and does not change existing requirements for residents to have a proxy directive.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) to meet annually with each resident and their family to review emergency contact details on file. It also mandates that facilities offer residents the opportunity to update their primary and secondary emergency contacts at least twice yearly. The law applies to all facilities licensed under state law and aligns with existing privacy regulations. Facilities must follow these steps to ensure contact information remains current for resident safety during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2278) requires all New Jersey employers to adopt written domestic violence policies developed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The policies must include employee training, procedures for supporting workers affected by domestic violence, bystander intervention strategies, and victim resources. Employers must implement these policies within one year of the law taking effect and share them with all employees at least once annually. The DOLWD will create and post these culturally competent policies online for employers to adopt.

Maddy summaryBill A2440 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to add specific language to the annual Truth-in-Renting Guide about housing discrimination related to rental subsidies. It mandates that the guide explicitly state it is unlawful for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants using housing vouchers (like Section 8) or to advertise such refusal, as these qualify as a "source of lawful income" protected under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination. The bill adds this detail to the existing guide, which currently covers general anti-discrimination protections but lacks this specific information about voucher discrimination. This change directly affects landlords, tenants, and the public by clarifying prohibited practices in rental transactions. The requirement applies to the guide's annual update, which is posted online in English and Spanish.

Maddy summaryACR 69 is a New Jersey resolution urging the U.S. President to expand access to free menstrual products in schools. It cites that lack of access causes absenteeism (affecting over half of high school students who menstruate) and health risks like infections, particularly for low-income students. The resolution does not create new law but seeks to encourage federal action under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. It specifically recommends ensuring menstrual products are available in all school restrooms to support educational equity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to reduce clinical practice requirements for teacher candidates seeking a lifetime teaching certificate (a "certificate of eligibility with advanced standing"). Currently, candidates must complete two semesters (including 175 hours of supervised teaching in a K-12 setting), but the bill mandates reducing this to one semester. The Commissioner of Education must develop specific recommendations for the reduction and consult with education stakeholders, including teacher unions and school administrators. The change would take effect immediately for the next academic year, aiming to reduce the cost and time burden of the second semester of internship.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate statewide efforts against auto theft. The authority, governed by a seven-member board (including law enforcement, prosecutors, insurance representatives, and public members), will develop prevention strategies, improve law enforcement coordination, and fund related programs. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the authority's dedicated fund for these purposes, requiring annual public reports on activities. The bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, and insurance companies working to reduce automobile theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate bullying awareness and prevention education in all grades (preschool through 12) as part of their Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum. It specifies that lessons must cover bullying definitions, types (including physical, verbal, social, and cyberbullying), the lasting harm of online harassment, how to seek help, and consequences for bullies. Schools must also address how bullying worsens when tied to intolerance of differences in race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. The state education commissioner will provide sample lesson materials, and the law takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools that already provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons and sanitary napkins) to prominently display information about their availability throughout school buildings. Specifically, schools must place notices in locations like nurse's offices, bathrooms, and locker rooms. The law defines "menstrual hygiene products" as tampons and sanitary napkins used during menstrual cycles. It takes effect immediately, ensuring students can easily find these essential items.

Maddy summaryACR 68 is a resolution urging the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Board to study current EOF program rules. It specifically targets regulations that treat high school graduates who earned associate degrees through dual enrollment programs as lower-priority students for funding - placing them in the lowest funding tier instead of the second tier reserved for first-time freshmen. This rule creates a disincentive for students to participate in dual enrollment and other college readiness programs (like P-TECH or Advanced Placement) that the state actively promotes. The resolution requests a study to modernize these rules and align them with current educational policy goals, with findings to be shared with legislative committees.