Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools to prominently display a direct link to the subsidized school meals application on their official websites. It directly affects public schools by adding this website posting requirement to existing rules about meal applications. The key provision mandates that schools place the link in a visible location on their internet sites, making it easier for families to access the application. This change aims to improve accessibility to school meal programs without altering eligibility rules or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in New Jersey to pay rent into an escrow account or perform repairs and deduct costs if a serious hazard, such as mold or a broken heating system, persists after they notify the landlord. The legislation protects tenants from eviction for failing to pay rent directly to the landlord while these issues are being addressed. Additionally, it authorizes tenants to make repairs themselves and deduct up to four months' worth of rent from future payments if the landlord does not fix the problem within a reasonable time. These measures are designed to ensure that living conditions remain safe and habitable without immediately triggering eviction proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commission on High-Quality Affordable Early Childhood Care and Education within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to improve access to care for children from birth to age five. The commission will consist of 19 members, including state officials and representatives from various sectors such as business, labor, and parent advocacy groups, who will work together to evaluate current funding gaps and develop a strategy for universal access. Its primary duties include assessing the state's existing systems, studying successful models from other states, and proposing sustainable financial solutions to ensure high-quality care is affordable for families while supporting childcare workers. The commission is authorized to hold public hearings across the state and will report its findings and recommendations directly to the Governor and the Legislature. Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation to fund the commission's operations and expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Tenant Anti-Retaliation & Anti-Harassment Act" to protect renters from unfair treatment by landlords following complaints. It establishes a rule where if a landlord takes adverse actions, such as issuing eviction notices, illegal lockouts, utility shut-offs, or harassment, within six months of a tenant's complaint, these actions are presumed to be retaliatory unless proven otherwise. When a violation is found, the landlord faces a $5,000 civil penalty for each offense, plus the tenant can recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs through a streamlined legal process. The law applies to all rental properties in New Jersey and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates regulations for health care facilities in New Jersey, specifically targeting narcotic and substance use disorder treatment centers. It increases the daily fines for operating these centers without approval or after a license is revoked, raising penalties from $25 to $12,500 for a first offense and from $50 to $25,000 for subsequent offenses. The legislation also grants the state commissioner expanded powers to conduct inspections, require detailed financial and quality reports, and appoint monitors for hospitals facing financial distress. Additionally, the bill allows owners and immediate family members to reside on the third floor of private long-term care facilities, overriding previous safety code restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill amends state law to officially include accounting as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject for educational programs. It updates two existing statutes - specifically P.L.2021, c.76 and P.L.2021, c.239 - to add "accounting" to the definition of STEM fields. This change expands eligibility for state-funded initiatives supporting underrepresented students (such as women and minorities) in higher education recruitment and K-12 outreach programs focused on STEM careers. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts statutory language to ensure accounting degrees and careers qualify for existing STEM-related support.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing laws regarding search warrants in domestic violence and stalking cases to require law enforcement to act more quickly when executing them. It specifically updates legal definitions for terms like "wire communication," "electronic communication," and "in-progress trace" to ensure clarity during investigations. The changes aim to streamline the process for police officers and prosecutors who handle these specific types of crimes, while maintaining the legal framework for intercepting communications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement to notify the State Parole Board when a parolee violates a domestic violence restraining order. It directly affects parolees under supervision who breach such orders, as well as law enforcement officers and the Parole Board. The key mechanism mandates officers to check the domestic violence central registry (which now includes parole status) and immediately alert the Parole Board if a parolee is charged with violating a domestic violence order. This ensures the Parole Board is informed to address potential violations of parole conditions. The bill amends existing statutes to streamline this notification process for safety and accountability.