Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2652 revises laws to better protect children from sexual exploitation. It creates a civil right for victims (or their guardians/advocacy groups) to sue perpetrators for three times the profits gained from distributing child sexual abuse material, holding both individuals and corporate employees personally liable. The bill also expands sex offender registration requirements to include anyone working with children in schools or jobs for over 14 consecutive days, clarifies which offenses trigger registration (like creating or sharing exploitative material), and adds a limited exception for juvenile-created nude photos under strict conditions. These changes directly affect victims of child exploitation, perpetrators, and institutions that facilitate such abuse. The law passed unanimously in 2024 (P.L.2024, c.92).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to help pregnant patients create personalized postpartum care plans during prenatal visits. It mandates that plans include specific elements like care team contacts, breastfeeding guidance, mental health support for postpartum depression, and management strategies for physical complications. Hospitals must also provide standardized discharge information covering warning signs of postpartum complications (such as severe bleeding, high blood pressure, and infection) before patients leave after childbirth, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth. The law directly affects pregnant people in New Jersey receiving maternity care, aiming to address preventable maternal health issues and reduce disparities in maternal mortality rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities, counties, and school districts in New Jersey to report cybersecurity incidents that compromise billing systems, communications, data management, or critical infrastructure (like industrial control systems). Designated employees must submit incidents via an online form developed by the Attorney General and NJ Cybersecurity Integration Cell within a prompt timeframe. Within 30 days of receiving a report, the NJCCIC must contract an independent cybersecurity firm to audit the entity’s security program and response, identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and improvement strategies. All incident reports and audit details are exempt from public disclosure under New Jersey’s open records law. The Department of Law and Public Safety covers audit costs and allows reimbursement for related expenses incurred by affected entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology (with the Office of Innovation) to create a public awareness campaign and educational workshops about artificial intelligence. It directs the office to develop and distribute printed and electronic materials covering AI types, uses, economic benefits, and quality-of-life applications to libraries, community centers, and colleges. The campaign must include regular free workshops - both in-person and virtual - at community centers, with mandatory sessions on AI basics, misinformation, and career opportunities. All materials and workshop details must be posted on state government websites. The program takes effect immediately and affects all New Jersey residents seeking AI education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires ultrasounds performed on pregnant women at "limited service pregnancy centers" to be conducted by licensed health care professionals or certified sonographers. It directly affects centers that provide pregnancy counseling but do not offer abortion referrals, contraception, or comprehensive reproductive care (like prenatal services). The law mandates that only individuals with specific licenses or certifications - such as those regulated under New Jersey’s health care licensing laws or certified by national sonography boards - can perform these ultrasounds. The bill defines "limited service pregnancy centers" to exclude hospitals, abortion clinics, and facilities offering full reproductive health services. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summary"Penny's Law" (A1403) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create beach accessibility guidelines within one year for people with disabilities. The guidelines must cover specific facilities like ramps, restrooms, boardwalks, surf chairs, and parking, developed with input from disability organizations and consideration of federal standards. The DEP must publish these guidelines online and distribute them to all counties and municipalities with public beaches. Beaches meeting the guidelines may display a uniform DEP-approved label. The law directly affects disabled beachgoers and local governments managing public coastal areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes public-private partnerships to develop artificial intelligence (AI) job training programs in New Jersey. It allows private entities to design and deliver AI-related training for two groups: displaced workers (those losing jobs due to AI adoption) and current workers seeking to upgrade their skills. Under the bill, private partners assume full financial and administrative responsibility for these programs while being exempt from standard state procurement rules and prevailing wage requirements. The Department of Labor will review training proposals, require annual progress reports from an advisory council, and ensure programs are publicly advertised. The goal is to strengthen the state's workforce competitiveness in the AI sector through targeted training.

Maddy summaryBill A1858 would allow New Jersey public bodies - including city councils, school boards, and commissions - to conduct meetings, vote, and receive public comment electronically at any time, removing the current requirement that such actions be limited to declared emergencies like natural disasters or health crises. Currently, remote participation is only permitted during emergency periods under the Open Public Meetings Act. The bill maintains existing requirements for public notice, open access to meetings, and allowing public comment, while eliminating the emergency restriction. This change would make electronic meetings a standard option for public bodies without needing emergency declarations.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's process for health insurance carriers to credential physicians seeking to join their provider networks. It requires carriers to notify applicants within 30 days if an application is incomplete (or deem it complete if no notice is given) and to review complete applications within 30 days. The bill mandates carriers to use a standardized universal application form, post clear process details online - including required documents and timelines - and reimburse physicians for services provided during the credentialing wait period if approved. It also prohibits carriers from requiring physicians to resubmit applications solely due to changing employers within the state, and gives the Department of Banking and Insurance authority to enforce these rules and handle complaints.