Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits (like Social Security or Veterans benefits) received by children in foster care to cover state costs for their care, except to maintain eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or avoid violating federal asset limits. It requires DCF to manage these benefits as representative payee, monitor federal resource limits, establish ABLE accounts for eligible children, and provide annual financial reports to children, families, and courts. The law specifically directs DCF to prioritize children’s SSI eligibility over seeking state reimbursement for foster care costs under federal law. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.162.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands affirmative action requirements in public works contracting to specifically include workers with disabilities. It defines "affirmative action" as good-faith efforts to ensure equal employment opportunities for workers with disabilities (alongside existing requirements for women and minority groups), without mandating hiring quotas. Contractors and subcontractors with more than five employees must submit programs guaranteeing employment opportunities for workers with disabilities, similar to current rules for racial and ethnic minorities. Additionally, the bill creates a new recruitment program through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services to connect workers with disabilities to private sector jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.202, prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS (forever chemicals) to most cosmetics sold in New Jersey starting two years after its effective date. It requires cookware manufacturers containing PFAS to notify consumers about their presence. The law directly affects cosmetics and cookware manufacturers, while protecting residents by reducing exposure to PFAS linked to health risks. Key mechanisms include specific product bans, disclosure requirements, and funding for PFAS research and remediation programs. The bill does not apply to trace PFAS from manufacturing impurities or products with PFAS only in internal components.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3337) requires New Jersey municipalities bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal bays, or rivers to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to eligible veterans. It mandates that these municipalities cannot charge fees to veterans who served at least 90 days in active duty with an honorable discharge, or were discharged due to a service-connected injury or disability. The law changes current practice, which allowed municipalities to *optionally* offer free access, by making it mandatory for qualifying veterans. It applies specifically to veterans meeting these criteria, as verified by military ID, DD-214 forms, or state-issued veteran/Gold Star Family identification. The bill does not affect other fee exemptions currently permitted under the law.

Maddy summaryAJR 75 designates the last week of April each year as "Reentry Week" to raise public awareness about challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face, including finding housing, jobs, healthcare, and reconnecting with families. The resolution encourages state agencies, organizations, and the public to support reentry efforts through activities during this designated week. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of ongoing reentry support initiatives. This is a procedural resolution with no direct policy changes or new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-2201) requires health insurance companies to cover remote patient monitoring devices - like those tracking vital signs - from patients' homes on the same terms as in-person medical visits. It mandates that insurers pay the same reimbursement rate for remote monitoring as they would for in-person care and cannot charge higher deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these services. The law also prohibits insurers from restricting how providers use technology (e.g., audio-only calls) or limiting coverage for routine remote check-ins, as long as care standards match in-person services. This directly affects health insurers, patients using remote monitoring, and healthcare providers delivering these services in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates New Jersey's Healthy Soils Program to improve soil health through practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and carbon sequestration. It specifically establishes a grant program for urban farmers and gardeners (including community gardens, rooftop farms, and backyard plots) to cover soil testing costs for contaminants like lead, arsenic, and petroleum. The Urban Agriculture Site Soil Testing Fund - financed by existing climate change funds and future appropriations - will pay for these tests and program administration. The program targets city and suburban growers to make soil health practices more widespread, with annual reporting on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey’s six highest-crime municipalities (per state police data) to provide grants to non-profit organizations for outreach about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The grants would help non-profits inform crime victims about accessing state compensation for expenses related to crimes. The Department of Law and Public Safety would administer the program and require a post-pilot report to the Governor and Legislature, recommending whether to continue, expand, or make the program permanent. The initiative directly aims to improve access to victim compensation services in communities most affected by crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to increase penalties for public servants who disclose domestic violence or sexual assault victims' personal information during official misconduct. Currently, such misconduct is a second-degree crime only if the benefit involved exceeds $200, otherwise it's a less severe third-degree crime. Under this bill, disclosing victims' personal information - defined as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or other identifying details - automatically elevates the offense to a second-degree crime, regardless of the benefit's value. This change imposes stricter penalties: second-degree crimes carry 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000, versus 3-5 years or $15,000 for third-degree offenses. It directly affects public servants like police, court staff, or social workers handling victim cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as license renewals, registration, and address changes - in person at every MVC agency location, without requiring appointments for walk-in customers. It mandates emergency printing services for temporary licenses, creates an online scheduling system for commercial driver tests at all locations, and requires the MVC to distribute clear informational brochures (both online and in-person) listing all available services. The bill directly affects MVC customers seeking in-person transactions and MVC staff managing agency operations. These changes aim to improve accessibility and reduce wait times for everyday vehicle and driver services.