Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts common oral care products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and oral irrigators from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically covers items designed to maintain oral health, including powered toothbrushes and interdental brushes, regardless of whether they qualify as over-the-counter drugs. The exemption does not apply to food, dietary supplements, or durable medical equipment. This change aligns with a multistate tax agreement to standardize definitions for tax-exempt products.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to exclude environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as available for affordable housing construction. It specifically excludes land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council, flood hazard areas under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, and wetlands protected by the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. The law changes current policy by removing the requirement that development must be "prohibited" on such land - now regulated land automatically qualifies for exclusion. This affects municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act, preventing them from using these lands to meet their housing quotas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. It applies directly to defendants found guilty of domestic violence, replacing the previous discretionary court option with a mandatory requirement. The law specifies that counseling must be provided by experts in domestic violence and requires defendants to submit proof of attendance. Additionally, completing this counseling becomes a condition for dissolving restraining orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's juvenile detention rules for cases involving specific firearms offenses. It requires courts to consider placement in a reengagement center - offering counseling, job training, and school support - instead of detention for juveniles charged with unlawful weapon possession (N.J.S.2C:39-5) or prohibited weapons (N.J.S.2C:39-3). The law applies directly to juveniles aged 11+ charged with these offenses, mandating parental/guardian written assurance for court appearances and prioritizing rehabilitation over detention. Courts must weigh factors like the juvenile's age and prior court compliance when deciding placements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to include disability-owned businesses in business development programs, direct loan programs, and certification processes. It directs the Chief Diversity Officer to track and compile data on state contracts awarded to disability-owned businesses. The law aims to increase participation by disability-owned businesses in state economic opportunities through mandated inclusion and reporting. It applies specifically to businesses certified as disability-owned under existing state definitions. The bill does not create new funding but establishes a process for monitoring and promoting these businesses' access to state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3384) extends the time limit for human trafficking victims in New Jersey to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators. It changes the statute of limitations to allow victims to sue within 10 years of the trafficking incident, 10 years after turning 18 if they were minors during the abuse, or two years after discovering the injury and its connection to the trafficking. The bill also prevents the clock from starting until a continuing trafficking pattern ends, tolls the time during disabilities (like mental illness or intellectual disability), and blocks defendants from using the statute of limitations if they caused delays through intimidation or fraud. This directly affects human trafficking victims seeking civil remedies for harm caused by traffickers.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require employers with 20+ full-time employees (or public employers) to grant 15 paid days per year and an unpaid leave of absence to employees serving in elected state, county, or municipal office. Employees must provide written notice to their employer, and the leave would not interrupt their earned benefits, privileges, or credited service. The law does not apply to candidates running for office or those not yet serving in an elected position. It would take effect immediately upon passage. The bill was introduced to the Assembly Labor Committee on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Graduate Physician" licensing category in New Jersey for medical school graduates who haven't completed residency training. It requires applicants to meet specific criteria (e.g., accredited medical school graduation, one year clinical practice, passing licensing exams, no disqualifying criminal history) and limits their practice to primary care in medically underserved areas under a collaborative arrangement with a fully licensed physician. Graduate physicians must wear identification tags, use specific clinical record notations, and cannot practice without a supervising physician except in emergencies. The license does not require more continuing education than standard physician licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2239) requires building owners to provide elevator maintenance records through a public online portal and display safety signage. It directs the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create a loan program specifically for senior housing buildings to cover elevator maintenance costs. The bill also mandates a public database tracking elevator safety inspections, hazardous conditions, and resolution status. These requirements directly affect owners of multi-unit buildings with elevators and aim to improve transparency and safety for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income limits for residential customers seeking utility bill assistance or energy efficiency programs within one year of the bill's effective date. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households who currently qualify for these programs by expanding eligibility if income thresholds increase. Key provisions mandate agencies to consider program alignment, state median income, cost impacts, and public input before adjusting limits, while also requiring coordination to ensure customers aren’t eligible for multiple energy efficiency programs. The bill aims to simplify access and expand support without specifying exact income levels or outcomes.