Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of specific buildings - including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, public housing, and other multi-occupant properties - to test their drinking water annually for Legionella bacteria. Testing must be performed by a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-accredited lab using DEP-developed best practices, with results submitted to the DEP. If Legionella levels exceed the DEP's established standard, owners must immediately notify residents and begin remediation within 30 days, completing it within six months, followed by retesting to confirm resolution. Violations would be treated as breaches of the Safe Drinking Water Act, potentially resulting in civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to hire a Transportation Planning Coordinator to oversee transportation services for DHS clients, including individuals receiving human services. The coordinator must have relevant transportation experience and will manage contracted providers, monitor safety issues, handle client complaints, maintain service records, and analyze costs to improve efficiency. Annual reports on activities and complaint resolution must be submitted to the DHS commissioner. The position aims to enhance oversight and reliability of transportation services provided to vulnerable populations served by DHS. The bill takes effect 10 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision that automatically applies to a victim's child upon birth, if the victim is pregnant and requests this protection. It directly affects pregnant victims of domestic violence and their unborn children by extending legal protections without requiring the victim to return to court after childbirth. The key mechanism is that courts can now add this provision to restraining orders at the victim's request, rather than requiring the victim to seek a new order after the child is born. This change implements a court ruling that found it unreasonable to require victims to return to court immediately after giving birth to extend protections to their newborns.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15,564,293 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the New Jersey Historic Trust for historic preservation grants. It funds 37 capital preservation projects totaling $12.18 million (including restoration of sites like the USS New Jersey, Trenton City Hall, and Morven) and 35 historic site management projects totaling $1.59 million (covering preservation planning and heritage tourism initiatives). Additional allocations include $25,000 for a Discover NJ History license plate fund, $100,000 for emergency preservation needs, and $1.67 million for administrative costs. All projects require recipient matching funds and involve properties listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to specifically address human trafficking in underserved communities, with a focus on girls and women of color who face heightened vulnerability. The Attorney General must allocate resources within the Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate with local law enforcement on trafficking investigations, partner with victim support programs and community organizations to connect victims with resources, and collect data on trafficking trends in these communities. These actions are intended to target the unique challenges faced by underserved populations experiencing human trafficking. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives all pet adoption fees at local government-run animal shelters, kennels, and pounds for active-duty military personnel (including New Jersey National Guard members after initial training), reservists, and veterans. Shelters must accept military IDs or discharge papers as proof of eligibility, with verification standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture. To offset costs, shelters may adjust fees for non-eligible adopters. The waiver covers the full adoption fee, which typically includes veterinary services, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including lecture halls, residence halls, and restrooms. Institutions must ensure access in all women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom, offering varied options like allergy-friendly and different absorbency levels. The state appropriates $85,000 from the General Fund to reimburse institutions for costs, and schools must also provide educational materials on menstrual health and disposal. The policy applies starting the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1940) requires law enforcement officers to provide domestic violence victims with information about their rights in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in New Jersey, as identified in the Supreme Court-approved Language Access Plan. It also mandates the Administrative Office of the Courts to create standard templates for temporary and final restraining orders in these languages for use by law enforcement, municipal courts, and Superior Court judges. These templates would be provided to both victims and defendants when restraining orders are issued. The bill aims to improve language access for non-English speaking domestic violence victims seeking legal protections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities prepare for disasters by providing training, supply stockpiles, and technology for assisting residents with disaster relief applications. Administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, the program allows each municipality to receive up to $30,000 in funding, with priority determined by the Office of Emergency Management based on risk assessments. Municipalities must report annually on fund usage, improvements in emergency response, and current risks. The program directly affects local governments across New Jersey, aiming to streamline disaster assistance for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1978) requires property owners in New Jersey to install Internet-capable room temperature reporting devices in all residential rental units of multiple dwellings with six or more units. The devices must measure indoor temperature hourly, record it with date/time for 90 days, and be accessible to tenants and owners via internet (or alternative means) from October 31 to May 31 annually. Tenants may opt out of installation, but owners must then notify the Department of Community Affairs. Rules for implementation, including tenant notification and device maintenance, will be adopted by the Commissioner of Community Affairs within five months of the bill’s enactment, with full compliance required 13 months after enactment.