Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Legislative Enactment Oversight Committee within the Department of State to monitor how New Jersey state agencies implement new laws and joint resolutions. The committee will track implementation timelines, assess delays, verify agencies have proper resources, and collect data on whether laws are executed as written. It will have 15 members appointed by the Governor based on legislative recommendations, each with specific expertise in areas like education, environment, or public safety. The committee will work directly with state agencies to ensure laws are implemented effectively and on schedule.

Maddy summaryAJR 149 designates November 13 of each year as "Day of Civility" in New Jersey, aligning with the existing "World Kindness Day." The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day through educational programs and activities focused on promoting courteous and respectful communication. This symbolic measure does not create new laws or funding but aims to address widespread public concern about declining civility, citing studies showing 93% of Americans view incivility as a significant problem.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) to meet with each resident at least once yearly to verify if their "proxy directive" (a document naming someone to make decisions if they lose capacity) remains accurate and current. It directly affects residents in these facilities and the facilities themselves, which must implement this annual review process. The bill does not compel residents to create or maintain a proxy directive, only to check existing ones. This ensures residents' designated decision-makers stay aligned with their current wishes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates July 3 of each year as "CROWN Act Day" in New Jersey to commemorate the state's 2019 passage of the CROWN Act, which prohibits hair-based discrimination in workplaces and schools. It does not create new laws but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness of hair discrimination. The resolution highlights statistics showing African-American individuals face disproportionate bias related to natural hair, such as being 80% more likely to alter their hair to meet workplace norms. It aligns with National CROWN Day, established to mark California's 2019 CROWN Act signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.

Maddy summaryAJR 146 designates September 15 each year as "World Afro Day" in New Jersey to celebrate Afro hair and promote inclusivity. The resolution recognizes September 15 as the date marking a 2016 court case involving hair discrimination (Chastity Jones' job offer rescission) and aligns with New Jersey's existing CROWN Act (2019), which prohibits hair-based discrimination. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation urging schools and cultural institutions to observe the day with educational activities. This resolution directly affects all New Jersey residents by raising awareness about historical hair discrimination and supporting efforts to combat bias in schools and workplaces. It does not create new laws but designates a day for education and celebration.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification system for peer recovery specialists in New Jersey, who provide support to individuals with substance use or mental health challenges based on their personal lived experience. To practice, individuals must meet standards set by the Division of Consumer Affairs, including passing a background check, and cannot represent themselves as certified without approval. The law exempts existing support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous), clergy, students in training, and licensed professionals (such as therapists) who don’t claim certification. It also prohibits conflicts of interest, like exploiting peer relationships for personal gain. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A3125 bans the sale of menstrual products containing regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to health concerns. It directly affects manufacturers selling products like tampons, pads, cups, or underwear in New Jersey, prohibiting both intentionally added PFAS and PFAS above trace levels. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results available for inspection by the Department of Health. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under state law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense, and takes effect two years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2735) requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to study disordered eating causes, prevention, and treatment gaps in the state, with specific focus on communities disproportionately affected - such as people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, youth, and older residents. It establishes a three-year "Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program" within DHS to fund research on barriers to treatment, root causes, and risk factors for disordered eating among these groups. Eligible applicants (nonprofits, researchers, or organizations) can apply for grants to conduct this research, with DHS administering the program and requiring annual reports on grant usage and findings. The study must be completed within 18 months, and DHS must submit annual reports on the grant program's progress to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects state agencies, research organizations, and vulnerable communities facing higher disordered eating risks.