Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new flooring installed in schools (K-12) and licensed childcare centers to be certified as mercury-free by the manufacturer before a construction permit can be issued. For renovations involving existing flooring, applicants must either provide certification that current flooring is mercury-free (pending health department rules) or confirm it will be removed before new flooring is installed. Manufacturers falsely claiming mercury-free flooring face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for repeat violations. The bill directly affects construction projects in these facilities and establishes a process for health department certification of mercury-free flooring.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands "Daniel's Law" to protect municipal court administrators by prohibiting the disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished telephone numbers. It directly affects municipal court administrators (including deputy and acting administrators) who were previously not covered by the law. The bill prohibits both government entities and private parties from disclosing these personal details, with violations potentially resulting in civil liability of $1,000 per violation and criminal prosecution. The law already protected judicial officers, law enforcement officers, child protective investigators, and prosecutors, and this expansion extends those safety protections to municipal court administrators who serve in critical roles within the justice system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Transportation to implement rules reducing helicopter noise at state-licensed airports, heliports, and helistops. It mandates a 47% reduction in helicopter flights (compared to the prior 12-month average) for operators, excluding emergency medical flights, government operations, news agencies, and hospital services. Additionally, it requires license applicants for heliports/helistops to certify bans on sightseeing/tourist helicopter operations during specific quiet hours: 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekends. The bill takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1211) upgrades criminal penalties for stealing payment card data and requires merchants to prevent such theft. It increases penalties for using scanning devices to steal card information: first-time use becomes a third-degree crime (up to 5 years in prison), while repeated offenses causing $50,000+ in theft become a second-degree crime (5-10 years). Merchants must implement reasonable security measures like regular terminal inspections, employee training on scanning devices, security cameras, and encryption software, as defined by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies to all businesses accepting payment cards in New Jersey and takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires athletic trainers and coaches in New Jersey public schools (for middle/high school sports, cheerleading, and dance programs) and public colleges to complete a standardized eating disorder awareness training program. The training, developed by the Commissioner of Education with health and education officials, covers identifying eating disorders, prevention strategies, available support services, and protocols for connecting student-athletes with help. Coaches and trainers must complete the training initially within six months of the program's launch and every two years thereafter, with new hires required to complete it within six months of appointment. Additionally, school boards and public universities must adopt protocols for addressing suspected eating disorders among student-athletes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt poll workers' wages from being counted toward unemployment compensation calculations. Currently, earnings from poll work could reduce or eliminate an individual's unemployment benefits. The bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to specifically exclude wages earned by members of district boards of elections from being considered "employment" for unemployment benefit purposes. This change would directly affect individuals who serve as poll workers during elections and seek unemployment benefits afterward.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail gun dealers to report to the State Police when a background check denies a firearm or ammunition purchase due to the buyer being a prohibited person (e.g., convicted of certain crimes or domestic violence offenses). Local law enforcement chiefs are then notified if a denied purchase occurs in their municipality, allowing them to address potential safety concerns. It applies directly to gun dealers conducting sales, local police departments, and individuals barred from firearm ownership under existing law. The key mechanism is mandating this notification process to improve communication between state and local law enforcement regarding denied transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million annual "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" within New Jersey's Department of State to support efforts ensuring a full population count during each federal decennial census. The fund, financed by $1 million yearly from the State General Fund, will be invested to generate interest that replenishes the fund. Moneys will directly support state, local, and community initiatives - like outreach and education campaigns - that help residents participate in the census. The Legislature will determine eligible activities for funding in the months leading up to each census.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution commemorates their historic achievement in delivering over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail to U.S. personnel in Europe under difficult conditions. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The resolution specifically recognizes that 28 New Jersey women served in the unit, including those from Allentown, where one member was born on May 18.