Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey dentists and dental hygienists licensed in New Jersey to practice in other states that join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact without obtaining a separate license in each state. It creates a "compact privilege" that enables licensed professionals to work across participating states while still following each state's practice rules and standards. The compact requires states to share disciplinary information and maintain their own licensing requirements, aiming to improve access to dental care in underserved areas and support workforce mobility. The bill does not change New Jersey's current licensing standards or requirements for dental professionals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates all pet adoption fees at local government-run shelters and kennels for active military members (including New Jersey National Guard after basic training), veterans, and reservists. Shelters may adjust their overall fees to offset costs from waiving these fees for eligible individuals. The policy covers standard adoption expenses like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and wellness exams. It defines "veteran" broadly to include honorably discharged service members and WWII Merchant Marine veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3350) increases penalties for domestic violence offenders in New Jersey and creates a dedicated fund for victim legal services. It adds two civil penalties: a $50-$500 fine payable immediately, and a $1,500 penalty paid over three years ($500 annually). All funds from these penalties, plus an increased $500 surcharge on domestic violence convictions, flow into the "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." The fund will directly support organizations providing legal advocacy, medical assistance, and referrals to domestic violence victims. The bill affects offenders who pay penalties and victims who receive enhanced legal services through the new fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Youth Sports Task Force to study issues in youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players. The task force will include experts in bullying-related fields, parents/guardians of youth athletes, a youth victim of bullying, and coaches representing different youth sports settings. It will examine six key areas: protecting against unscrupulous for-profit sports entities, improving financial oversight for youth sports organizations, training coaches to recognize bullying, promoting youth sports as educational, developing parent workshops on proper conduct, and protecting officials from abuse. The task force must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, after which it will expire. This bill does not create new laws but initiates a study process to address specific concerns in youth sports programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1656) requires all outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by New Jersey state agencies or on projects receiving state funds to meet specific environmental and energy efficiency standards. It mandates fully shielded fixtures with a BUG rating of U0, a maximum color temperature of 2,700 Kelvin (with limited exceptions), motion sensors, and minimal light trespass. The law aims to reduce light pollution, glare, and energy use while preserving public health and the natural night environment. It directly affects state agencies, state-funded construction projects, and all outdoor lighting installations under their jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Medication Management, Outreach, and Support Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to serve people with severe mental illness living in the community. It appropriates $8 million from the General Fund to fund licensed provider organizations (like community health centers) to offer medication management services, including early intervention, crisis support, and collaborative care planning with clinicians and families. The program requires providers to hire clinical staff (such as psychiatrists and social workers) to minimize medication side effects and improve health outcomes through continuous quality improvement. It directly affects community-based mental health service recipients and the providers delivering those services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3106) requires New Jersey's Director of Purchase and Property to review state purchasing practices for menstrual products and establish a centralized contract to reduce costs for state agencies. It mandates that the director, at a state department's request, advertise for and award a statewide contract for menstrual products (including pads, tampons, and cups), making it available to all state agencies and cooperative purchasing participants like schools and local governments. Non-profits may also purchase under this contract at the director’s discretion, subject to reporting requirements. The bill focuses solely on streamlining state procurement, not on providing free products to individuals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AR 23) urges the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides broadband internet discounts to low-income households. The ACP currently offers up to $30/month (or $75 on Tribal lands) for internet service and a one-time $100 device discount, benefiting over 20 million households nationwide - including 335,079 in New Jersey as of January 2024. The program is set to expire in April 2024 if Congress does not provide additional funding to replenish its $14.2 billion budget. New Jersey has received $152 million in ACP funding, saving enrolled households $8.3 million monthly on internet costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools (including district, charter, and renaissance schools) that employ school psychologists and offer in-person counseling to students in grades K-12 to also provide remote counseling sessions as an option. Schools must allow students to attend sessions remotely unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for the student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the bill defines "school psychologist" as someone holding a specific New Jersey certification. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1321) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to revise its Pandemic Influenza Plan to better prepare for large-scale, long-running flu pandemics. The revision must address federal public health standards, clarify roles for all state agencies during emergencies, improve coordination with local health departments, establish crisis healthcare standards, and address health equity gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH must solicit input from local health departments and stakeholders before updating the plan, which will be regularly reviewed and used to design emergency training exercises. The plan directly affects state agencies, local health departments, and healthcare systems responding to pandemic emergencies in New Jersey.