Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) to all students and staff in grades K-12. It mandates that schools install and maintain dispensers in all women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men's restroom, offering a variety of products including allergy-friendly options. Schools must also ensure restrooms are clean with adequate supplies (toilet paper, soap), provide educational materials on menstrual health and disposal, and avoid restrictive bathroom policies. All costs for products and dispensers will be covered by the state, not school districts, and the law takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A885) requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disabled veteran-owned businesses are being adequately utilized in state procurement contracts. The study must determine if disparities exist between the availability of these businesses and their actual use by state agencies. Within 12 months of enactment, the officer must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, with potential follow-up reports tracking implementation of prior recommendations. The bill directly affects disabled veteran-owned businesses and state agencies managing procurement contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards to calculate the national average time other states take to approve initial credentials for each regulated profession or occupation. Boards must collect this data from other states (or national associations) within six months of the bill's effective date, then use the approved national average as their processing standard for new applications. If a board fails to meet the national average after one year, it must use licensing fees to hire a third-party expert to identify best practices for faster processing, which must be implemented immediately. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually to ensure boards meet the established timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to ensure inmates in state prisons or county jails can participate in Medicaid enrollment sessions at least 60 days before release. Specifically, it mandates a peer-led information session about Medicaid benefits and application processes, followed by a staff-assisted enrollment session within five days. Inmates who complete applications must receive eligibility notifications and a Medicaid card at the time of release. The law directly affects incarcerated individuals transitioning to community life, aiming to streamline access to healthcare coverage upon release. It does not change Medicaid eligibility standards but implements a process to connect inmates with services before they leave correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans to cover fertility preservation services for individuals diagnosed with specific menstrual disorders that may cause infertility, including endometriosis, menorrhagia, and uterine fibroids. Insurance providers must cover these services on the same terms as other medical treatments, with identical copayments, deductibles, and benefit limits. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on factors such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation, or perceived quality of life. It applies to most health insurance plans in New Jersey, including those for state and school employees. Coverage includes cryopreservation of embryos and oocytes but excludes sperm storage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) within New Jersey's SNAP benefits program, allowing eligible homeless, disabled, or elderly SNAP recipients to use their benefits at approved restaurants for meals at low or reduced prices. The Department of Human Services will administer the program, designating eligible counties and working with county welfare agencies to approve restaurants, while requiring colleges and universities in participating counties to apply for on-campus restaurant participation and inform students. Annual reports will track participation rates, approved vendors, and program implementation at institutions of higher education. The program aims to provide meal access for vulnerable SNAP recipients who may lack the ability to store or prepare food at home.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to use funds from performance bonuses it receives to hire more staff. Specifically, it directs DHS to increase trained personnel for processing food stamp applications (SNAP), public assistance applications under the Work First New Jersey program, and staffing facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness. The funds must be used for these exact purposes as specified in the bill, depending on which program the bonus was awarded for. This policy change ensures existing bonus money is directly allocated to improving service capacity in key human services areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Early Childhood as a principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch. It transfers numerous early childhood-related responsibilities from the Departments of Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health to this new department. The transfer includes programs for children from pregnancy through age eight, such as preschool education, child care services, home visitation programs, and early intervention services. The bill specifies the structure of the new department, including the role of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, and requires coordination among existing departments for an orderly transition of programs and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create financial incentives within 90 days to encourage private investment in child care facilities located in "child care deserts" - areas where demand for quality care exceeds supply. It directs DHS to develop incentives like tax credits, exemptions, loan guarantees, and workforce support, working with agencies including Economic Development and Taxation. The policy directly affects private child care providers in underserved communities and aims to expand access for low-to-moderate income families using the existing subsidy program. The bill mandates DHS to seek federal waivers to maintain funding for subsidized care while implementing these incentives.