Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The program must develop public campaigns about symptoms, early detection, and safety; create accessible educational materials for health providers; and train emergency responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. DHS must consult with the Alzheimer's Association and make materials available online in English and Spanish. The initiative is subject to available funding and aims to improve community understanding and response to Alzheimer's disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting kidnapping and human trafficking crimes in New Jersey, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time regardless of when the offense occurred. For civil cases, it extends the deadline for victims to sue perpetrators from 5 to 10 years, with options to file within 10 years of turning 18 (if a minor at the time), within two years of discovering the injury, or after a trafficking pattern ends. The bill also pauses the clock during periods of victim disability (e.g., mental illness or intellectual disability) and blocks defendants from using the statute as a defense if they caused delays through threats or fraud. These changes aim to provide victims more time to pursue justice in both criminal and civil courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Access Link paratransit vehicle operators in New Jersey to announce every scheduled stop, either verbally or via a recording system. It directly affects passengers using Access Link (a paratransit service for people with disabilities under the ADA) and the drivers or operators of those vehicles. Currently, only fixed-route transit operators must announce stops, but Access Link paratransit services are not subject to this requirement. The bill would mandate stop announcements for all Access Link routes, improving accessibility for riders who cannot see route information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity charge to customers through multiple prominent methods: on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website (if applicable). It directly affects restaurants that impose mandatory service charges, making failure to disclose a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, and triple damages for affected patrons. The law takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5905) requires courts and law enforcement to notify the State Parole Board when a parolee violates a domestic violence restraining order. It amends New Jersey law to ensure the Domestic Violence Central Registry includes whether a person is on parole supervision, and mandates that the Parole Board check this registry when considering parole for inmates subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also requires the Parole Board to notify the registry when a parolee's status begins or ends. These changes aim to improve communication between the justice system and parole authorities regarding domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid programs to cover prescription drugs for specific serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It defines "serious mental illness" to include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders listed in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The legislation applies to all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, mandating coverage for these medications without utilization management barriers that often delay treatment. This would directly affect individuals with these mental health conditions who currently face insurance hurdles to accessing necessary medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5455) changes the quorum requirement for New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking. Currently, the 17-member commission needs 9 members present to conduct business, but vacancies often prevent this. The bill authorizes the commission to exercise its powers and duties when a majority of its *current* members are present, rather than requiring a fixed 9-member quorum. This change aims to ensure the commission can function effectively despite staffing gaps. The commission evaluates trafficking laws, reviews victim services, and promotes awareness - key duties that were previously hindered by quorum issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's parole procedures by removing a specific exception for parolees released due to prison overcrowding. It repeals a provision (P.L.1982, c.112, section 7) that previously treated violations committed by these parolees differently. The bill clarifies that "technical parole violations" (like failing to report job changes, missing treatment, or not paying fees) apply equally to all parolees, regardless of release reason - excluding new criminal offenses. This change standardizes how parole violations are handled across all cases.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.