Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all public women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men's restroom in every campus building - including lecture halls, residence halls, libraries, and dining facilities. It mandates a variety of products (regular to super-plus, allergy-friendly options) and requires educational materials about menstrual health and disposal. The state will cover all costs for these products, with institutions reimbursed annually through a documentation process. The bill directly affects students and staff at New Jersey’s public higher education institutions, ensuring access to essential hygiene products across all campus facilities.

Maddy summaryCJ's Law (A3797) would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom in New Jersey. It sets different penalties based on quantity: possessing or distributing one ounce or more of kratom would be a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison or up to $150,000 fine), while smaller amounts would be third-degree crimes (3-5 years or up to $15,000 fine). Kratom, a botanical substance from Southeast Asia marketed as a pain supplement but not approved for medical use, is associated with health risks including addiction and respiratory issues. The bill is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use. Currently, kratom is not banned by New Jersey law but is restricted under federal FDA guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Office of Emergency Responder Survivor Support and Navigation within New Jersey's Department of Treasury to assist beneficiaries (like spouses or children) of emergency responders who die in the line of duty. The office, led by a survivor support liaison and staffed by at least three additional beneficiaries of deceased responders, helps beneficiaries navigate applications for municipal, state, federal, and private survivor benefits. It provides summaries of eligible benefits, maintains contact during the application process, and offers ongoing assistance. The office is funded with $1 million annually from the General Fund and is designated as "Captain Augusto Acabou’s, Wayne Brooks’, and Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson’s act" in honor of three responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4592) expands an existing exemption to include honorably discharged veterans. It allows veterans with a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)-issued honorably discharged veteran placard to park without paying municipal meter fees when they are either driving or riding as a passenger in the vehicle. The exemption applies only for parking under 24 hours at a single location, consistent with current rules for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It directly affects veterans who hold the MVC-issued placard and their vehicles when parked in municipal meter zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryAJR 185 designates the month of May each year as "Nurse's Month" in New Jersey to honor nurses for their contributions to healthcare. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition through community activities and events celebrating nurses. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws, change funding, or alter healthcare policies - it solely aims to raise awareness of nurses' vital role in patient care and community health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's existing plastic bag law to allow grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags, but only if the bags contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled content (or 20% for bags holding ≤8 pounds). It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq ft selling food for off-site consumption). The key mechanism requires these paper bags to meet specific recycled content standards set by prior legislation (P.L.2021, c.391), replacing a previous ban on all single-use paper bags. This change permits paper bags as an alternative to plastic while ensuring they meet minimum recycled content requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology to create a state-wide data and technology infrastructure investment plan for public health emergencies. The plan must include strategies for early warning systems using state/federal/international data, a centralized public health data repository, and expanded digital service capabilities for state agencies. The office must submit the initial plan to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months, with annual implementation reports thereafter. The plan directly affects all state agencies' ability to maintain public health emergency preparedness and service continuity during crises.

Maddy summaryAJR 184 designates May 6th of each year as "Nurse's Day" in New Jersey to recognize nurses' contributions to healthcare. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public acknowledgment of nurses' work. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but formally honors the nursing profession's role in patient care and community health. This commemorative resolution affects all New Jersey nurses, including the 141,000 registered nurses and 23,400 licensed practical nurses in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create a policy allowing students to withdraw for serious personal issues (like illness, injury, hospitalization, or mental health needs) and receive a refund. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" to include these specific health-related situations and establish clear criteria for determining when a student's education is hindered. The policy must refund tuition and fees for the semester of withdrawal if the circumstances prevented learning, and also provide refunds for unused housing or meal plan charges. Refunds for students receiving financial aid or state aid will follow existing federal and state refund regulations.