Rep. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create and annually update a public list of industry-valued credentials - such as recognized certificates or certifications employers seek. The list will be based on state labor market data and employer feedback, then made available online as both a webpage and a downloadable file. It directly affects DOLWD, mandating its role in compiling and maintaining this resource. The goal is to help workers identify credentials that lead to better wages, career advancement, and job security by aligning training with employer needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Jersey Suicide Hopeline to make follow-up calls to minors aged 16 or older who are identified as being at high risk of suicide without requiring parental consent. It amends state law to make a minor's consent for these follow-up calls valid and binding as if they were an adult, and confidential - meaning operators do not need to report the calls to parents or guardians. Currently, national guidelines for suicide hotlines require parental permission for such follow-ups, but this bill removes that barrier for minors 16+ seeking mental health support. The policy directly affects at-risk youth aged 16 and older who contact the Suicide Hopeline for crisis counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5435) requires New Jersey's Division of Housing and Community Resources (DCA) to create a single, user-friendly online application form for all state and nonprofit residential utility assistance programs. It directs the DCA to partner with state agencies and designated nonprofits to integrate all existing and temporary programs - such as those helping households pay utility bills or improve energy efficiency - into one centralized website. The consolidated application aims to simplify access for residents struggling with utility costs by replacing multiple separate forms. The DCA must adopt necessary rules to implement this system, which would directly affect low-income households seeking utility bill assistance and the agencies administering these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when contracts for operating official motor vehicle inspection facilities are renewed or new contracts are awarded, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) must be offered employment first to meet staffing needs. It mandates that job offers to these employees must include compensation and benefits matching the terms of the existing CBA. Additionally, the bill ensures that any collective bargaining agreement in effect at the time remains binding on successors - such as companies acquiring assets or merging - during sales, transfers, or mergers of inspection facility operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create and maintain a free, public online registry of tutors and organizations offering free supplemental tutoring to students. It allows certified teachers, retired teachers, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations to register, providing details like contact information and subject expertise. All registrants must undergo criminal background checks (except certified teachers with prior checks), and the registry explicitly states it does not endorse or verify the quality of services offered. The registry will be accessible to all New Jersey residents via the DOE website.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide students with information about food assistance programs. Specifically, institutions must include details about the federal SNAP program (food stamps) and campus or community food resources - such as food pantries or meal swipe programs - in initial admission offers and via email during each semester's registration. The state will develop standardized SNAP application links and program information for schools to distribute. This applies directly to students at public higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to improve access to food support.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, which must be linked to a traumatic event experienced during their duties or vicarious trauma from their job. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior position after leave, and violations allow employees to sue for remedies including $5,000 fines for first violations, reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees. The civil action must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of fully paid recovery leave after childbirth, with benefits maintained and the leave not counted against sick leave balances. The policy must also prohibit residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period, which are typically applied to other medical leave. The State Police Superintendent must post clear details, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information, on the department's intranet. This directly affects current and future female troopers who become pregnant while serving.