Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Direct Care Worker Support Program within New Jersey's Department of Health to assist direct care workers, including certified nurse aides and home health aides, with childcare and transportation costs. It requires the Department to provide financial aid for these expenses through an application process with commissioner-set eligibility rules. The bill also mandates a one-year study examining wage gaps among different direct care worker roles, requiring the Department to submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Funding for the program is provided through an appropriation from the General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2235) requires the Division of Rate Counsel to hire an independent third party to study the feasibility and cost savings of returning electric and gas utilities to public ownership. The study must examine options like public acquisition or joint ownership with utilities, analyzing impacts on ratepayers, environmental effects, service quality, and revenue from clean energy programs. Electric and gas utilities, as well as public entities, must cooperate by providing requested information to the third party. The $100,000 appropriation funds the study, which must be completed within one year, after which the Division will submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new third-degree crime of incest in New Jersey, making it illegal for someone to marry or engage in sexual penetration with specific close family members. It directly affects individuals in relationships including ancestors/descendants, siblings, aunts/uncles (siblings of a parent), or nieces/nephews (children of a sibling), covering both blood relatives and adopted family ties regardless of legitimacy. The law establishes penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both for violations. This expands criminal liability beyond current sexual assault laws, which previously did not cover incestuous acts between consenting adults.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands the definition of "burglar's tools" to include devices or software designed to bypass keyless locking mechanisms (like smart locks or digital keypads). It makes manufacturing, possessing, or publishing instructions for such tools a crime: manufacturing or publishing is a fourth-degree offense (up to 18 months jail or $10,000 fine), while mere possession is a lesser disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals who create, distribute, or possess tools specifically adapted to access premises without physical keys. It targets modern security vulnerabilities without altering existing burglary statutes for traditional methods. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A2365 extends in-state tuition eligibility to spouses and dependents of military service members who move due to a service member's transfer. It allows these individuals to maintain in-state tuition rates at public colleges in New Jersey if they were already enrolled before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill specifically applies to spouses and dependents who were attending school in New Jersey prior to the military relocation, ensuring they don't lose tuition benefits during temporary moves. This change directly affects military families facing frequent relocations, removing a barrier to educational affordability during service-related transfers. The policy update amends existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to include these scenarios without requiring new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Chief Diversity Officer to study whether disabled veteran-owned businesses are being used fairly in state government contracts. The study must determine if there's a gap between how many such businesses are available and how many actually receive state contracts, and it must be completed within 12 months. The officer will then submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, and may later provide follow-up reports tracking progress on implementing those recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women in New Jersey from the end of pregnancy through a full 365-day period. It directly affects pregnant women who qualify for Medicaid under existing eligibility rules, ensuring continuous health coverage for one year after childbirth. The key change codifies a 365-day postpartum coverage period in the state's Medicaid eligibility definitions, replacing any previous shorter duration. This adjustment aligns New Jersey's policy with federal Medicaid requirements for pregnant women's postpartum care.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2592 requires most residential landlords to give tenants written notice within five business days if nearby construction (like neighbor property work) or their own maintenance might cause property damage or hazards. This applies to landlords renting properties with more than two units or seasonal rentals, excluding small owner-occupied homes (up to three units) and hotels. Notices must be delivered by mail, posted prominently, or electronically before work begins. Landlords who fail to provide notice face fines up to $200 per violation, enforceable through local courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Pilot Program Review Board to evaluate state pilot programs after implementation. The nine-member board, appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and Senate/Assembly minority leaders, will review each pilot program within one year of completion using objective performance measures developed by the implementing agency. The board will hold regional public hearings to gather input from stakeholders and then provide written recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on whether successful programs should be expanded statewide. This oversight mechanism applies to all state pilot programs, ensuring they meet intended goals before permanent adoption.

Maddy summaryAJR 48 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 71st anniversary of the July 27, 1953 armistice ending the Korean War. It directs New Jersey's state government to transmit copies of the resolution to the Adjutant General and Korean War veteran associations in the state. The resolution acknowledges the war's historical significance, including New Jersey's military contributions (836 residents killed or missing in action) and the conflict's designation as the "forgotten war." As a commemorative measure with no new policy or funding, it serves only to formally mark the anniversary.