Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1618 requires all public school districts to submit annual reports to the Department of Education (DOE) by April 30 each year on computer science courses offered. The reports must detail course availability (including AP courses), subject matter, teacher demographics (gender, credentials), and student enrollment disaggregated by gender, race, special education status, and socioeconomic factors. The DOE will compile this data and publish it online by October 1 annually. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and aims to track participation gaps in computer science education to address underrepresentation of women and minorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2152) expands New Jersey’s existing pilot program to authorize grants for qualified nonprofit veterans’ organizations to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes specifically for homeless veterans. It requires veterans to be low-income or have a disability (or both), and grants up to $400,000 per organization annually must include a 50% matching contribution. The program allocates $1 million yearly for five years, prioritizing organizations serving high-need communities and requiring energy-efficient upgrades where cost savings exceed 10%. It directly affects homeless veterans (defined as living in shelters, motels, or unsafe conditions) and qualified 501(c)(3)/501(c)(19) veterans’ nonprofits statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $10 million annually from New Jersey's 21st Century Improvement Fund toward developing a Statewide digital e-court information system, specifically requiring it to include an individualized account access and notification system. The system would allow court users to receive email or text alerts about pending matters, such as court dates and violations, to help prevent missed appointments. The bill amends existing law to ensure this funding allocation is dedicated solely to this notification feature and cannot replace other court technology funding. It applies to all individuals interacting with New Jersey's court system who have provided contact information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey shore municipalities (those bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal bays, or rivers) to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to qualifying veterans. It mandates that no fees be charged to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. Armed Forces who served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged due to a service-incurred injury/disability. The Adjutant General will establish eligibility rules, and veterans can verify status using a military ID, DD-214, or a state ID with a Gold Star Family designation. This replaces prior law that allowed municipalities to optionally offer free access but did not require it.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's affirmative action requirements for public works contracts to include workers with disabilities. It amends existing law to define "affirmative action" as good-faith steps ensuring equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, and workers with disabilities (without quotas), and requires contractors to include disability status in workforce data and affirmative action plans. The bill also directs the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to create a recruitment program connecting workers with disabilities (including students and recent graduates) with private employers for summer or permanent jobs. It applies to all public works contractors and subcontractors (except those with fewer than five employees), requiring them to submit disability-inclusive affirmative action programs to the State Treasurer for approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to include disability-owned businesses in business development programs, direct loan programs, and certification processes. It mandates that the State's Chief Diversity Officer compile data on contracts awarded to disability-owned businesses, tracking both the total contract value and percentage awarded to these businesses. The legislation incorporates disability-owned businesses into existing frameworks for minority-owned and women-owned businesses, ensuring they receive equal consideration in state contracting opportunities. This policy change aims to increase opportunities for disability-owned businesses by integrating them into state programs designed to support underrepresented business owners. The bill specifically amends existing law to include disability-owned businesses in the Office of Minority, Disabled Veterans, Disability-Owned, and Women Medical Cannabis Business Development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to share domestic violence central registry records - tracking individuals with restraining orders, charges, or violations - with licensed health care practitioners (such as doctors, nurses, and therapists) who have a legal duty to warn and protect potential victims. Currently, these confidential records are only shared with law enforcement, courts, or child protection agencies under specific circumstances. The bill adds health care professionals to the list of authorized recipients when they are legally obligated to warn a patient about domestic violence, expanding access to better support victims. Unauthorized disclosure of these records remains punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Pilot Program Review Board to evaluate state pilot programs created by law. The board, consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and experts in areas like program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis, will review pilot programs within a year of their completion. It assesses whether programs meet goals, gathers public input through regional hearings, and recommends to the Governor and Legislature whether to expand or make programs permanent. The board operates independently of the Department of the Treasury, with implementing agencies required to develop performance measures before launching pilots.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets requirements for New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) during infectious disease outbreaks. It mandates weekly testing for staff and residents who travel outside the facility, immediate testing for anyone showing symptoms, and restricts staff from working at multiple facilities. The bill also establishes visitation rules allowing residents to designate up to two visitors for daily indoor visits with screening and testing requirements, while requiring facilities to provide isolation spaces for infected residents. These requirements remain in effect for the duration of any declared public health emergency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1954) increases the size of New Jersey's Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission from 13 to 17 members, adding the chairs of the Legislative Black Caucus and Legislative Latino Caucus as voting members, plus two additional public members (for a total of four public members, with no more than two from the same political party). It broadens the commission's reporting requirements to include annual reviews of disparities in policing, charging decisions, access to legal defense, and jury selection processes - beyond its existing focus on sentencing outcomes. The commission will continue reviewing New Jersey's criminal sentencing laws to recommend revisions aimed at improving public safety, reducing racial disparities, and enhancing offender rehabilitation. These changes require the commission to submit more comprehensive reports to the Governor and Legislature about potential reforms to the criminal justice system.