Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Police Training Commission to include a mandatory police misconduct training course in the basic curriculum for all new police officers. The course, to be taught by instructors with advanced degrees in sociology or related fields, uses real cases like George Floyd's death to address excessive force, bias, and the duty to intervene in misconduct. It also covers how smartphones document police actions, the community impact of poor policing, and strategies for handling civil unrest. The training will count for three credits toward the total requirements for completing basic police training.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to collect and publicly report detailed data on all police stops - including the reason, outcome, and officer's perception of the person's race, ethnicity, gender, and age - without personal identifiers like names or addresses. The Attorney General must publish an annual summary of this aggregated data online. It also establishes a 12-member Racial and Identity Profiling Elimination Advisory Council to analyze the data and make annual recommendations for reducing profiling in policing. The council includes law enforcement officials, civil rights advocates, community representatives, and a criminal justice expert, with meetings held statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Safe and Sanitary Rental Housing Act" to improve safety and sanitation standards in New Jersey's rental housing. It requires landlords to register with detailed information about ownership, emergency contacts, and maintenance personnel, and mandates annual certification of registration accuracy. The bill strengthens the warranty of habitability by requiring courts to consider habitability violations when tenants fail to pay rent, and creates a new system for tracking inspections and tenant complaints. Landlords who fail to comply face penalties of up to $500 per violation, and the law aims to hold landlords accountable for providing safe and sanitary housing for tenants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a four-year "New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program" within the Department of Education to provide funding for schools. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and "renaissance schools" (a New Jersey term for publicly funded alternative schools) seeking to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. The program awards competitive grants for three specific areas: project-based learning (student-led STEM projects), afterschool STEM (after-class programs like clubs), and out-of-school STEM (non-classroom activities like workshops). Grants must supplement, not replace, existing STEM funding, and schools must submit detailed plans for program design, student recruitment, teacher support, and long-term sustainability. Funding comes from annual state appropriations and private donations, administered through a new "STEM Scholars Grant Fund."

Maddy summaryThe Desegregate New Jersey Act (A2586) requires municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like in-law apartments) on single-family lots without forcing them into affordable housing requirements. It also mandates that municipalities allow multifamily housing near transit hubs (within ½-mile) and along main street corridors (within ¼-mile), with minimum density of 15 units per acre and no minimum parking requirements. The bill restricts local rules that would block ADUs (e.g., requiring exterior doors, age limits, or separate utility billing) and sets a 65-day deadline for permit decisions. This directly affects homeowners seeking to add ADUs, developers building multifamily projects, and municipalities responsible for zoning enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey Feminine Hygiene Product Donations Immunity Act" (A2004), creates legal protection for individuals and organizations that donate feminine hygiene products (like tampons, pads, or cups) to charities or shelters. It shields good faith donors (including hospitals) and nonprofit distributors from lawsuits if donated products are "apparently usable" (meeting basic quality standards), unless harm results from gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The law directly affects homeless shelters, community organizations serving underserved women, and donors who wish to provide these products without legal risk. It aims to support women experiencing period poverty - particularly those in homelessness or low-income situations - by encouraging donations without fear of liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child tax credit to include taxpayers with children aged six through eleven, currently only covering children under six. Eligibility remains tied to New Jersey taxable income of $80,000 or less, with credits ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on income levels (e.g., $1,000 for income under $30,000). The change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2023, and does not alter existing income thresholds or refundability rules. It directly affects New Jersey resident taxpayers with children in this age group who meet the income criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a quality-based reimbursement system for registered family child care providers participating in the state's subsidized child care program and the Grow NJ Kids quality rating initiative. It directly affects family child care providers who serve low-to-moderate income families and have earned a quality rating through Grow NJ Kids. The key mechanism is providing enhanced reimbursements to higher-rated providers, replacing the current flat-rate system with payments tied to quality standards. DHS must also seek federal approval to maintain funding for these subsidized child care programs under the new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords who rent space to child care facilities (like daycares or preschools) to install and maintain lead-removing water filters at all water outlets used for drinking, food prep, or baby formula if they previously refused to allow water system replacement of lead pipes. Landlords must install filters certified to meet safety standards (like NSF/ANSI 42/53), maintain them, and annually certify compliance to the environmental agency. Failure to comply can result in daily fines of up to $500, and tenants can force rent into court-ordered escrow until filters are installed. If the landlord's refusal causes children or staff to have elevated lead levels, they face unlimited financial liability for damages.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A856 establishes the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI) as a new principal department within the Executive Branch, replacing the current State Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The bill transfers existing diversity functions from the Department of Treasury and the Division on Civil Rights to the new department, requiring state agencies to develop annual diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility plans. It also mandates that entities receiving state development subsidies or financial assistance must create and implement strategic diversity plans detailing their efforts to promote diversity in hiring, procurement, and business opportunities. The commissioner of DDEI will oversee these requirements, coordinate statewide initiatives, and ensure compliance with diversity standards across state government and recipient entities.