Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.

Maddy summaryThe "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act" (A4483) requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the State Health Benefits Program to cover cancer treatments administered through IV or other non-digestive system methods, along with survivorship care plans for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer, with no cost-sharing required. The bill prohibits mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure actions and creditors from starting collection proceedings against cancer patients undergoing treatment, requiring dismissal of such actions upon physician certification. Additionally, it provides up to 45 days' eviction protection for tenants with cancer who submit physician certification, and extends employment protections for cancer patients taking disability leave. This legislation directly affects cancer patients in New Jersey who are receiving treatment for advanced stages of cancer, ensuring they face fewer financial barriers during their treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects individuals who pay dues to labor organizations, including public employees represented by such groups. The key provision requires taxpayers to provide verification of dues paid to the Division of Taxation to claim the deduction. The bill defines "union dues" broadly to include all required membership fees, and "labor organization" as any group addressing work conditions like wages or grievances. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3857) allows licensed social workers to earn up to four hours of required continuing education credit by volunteering as poll workers during state primary or general elections. Social workers can receive two credits per election (primary or general), with a maximum of four credits per license renewal period. To claim these credits, they must provide proof of service via a certified letter from their local election office or as otherwise approved by the State Board of Social Work Examiners. The bill does not require social workers to volunteer - it simply offers this service as an optional way to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2419) prohibits New Jersey-based commercial mobile service providers (like phone companies) and mobile app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. It requires app developers to display a clear, bold notice asking users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed to a third party") before sharing location data. Exceptions apply for disclosures required by law, law enforcement, or court orders. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, with fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects all mobile app users in New Jersey whose location data is collected by apps or phone services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4438) revises New Jersey's rules for granting licenses to out-of-state elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanics without requiring an exam. It directly affects mechanics licensed in other states who seek to work in New Jersey. The key change removes the current requirement that the applicant's home state must provide "equal reciprocity" (i.e., grant licenses to New Jersey mechanics). Instead, New Jersey's licensing board can now grant licenses based solely on whether the applicant's home state has standards "equal to or comparable" to New Jersey's, regardless of whether that state reciprocates for New Jersey licensees. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, including commercial plans, health maintenance organizations, and state programs, to cover mammograms starting at age 35 rather than 40 for routine screening. It mandates annual mammograms for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. The bill also requires coverage for additional breast imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs when mammograms show dense breast tissue or abnormalities. This applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The policy change lowers the age threshold for routine screening to improve early breast cancer detection.

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacture, or import of jewelry containing more than 0.03% cadmium by weight in New Jersey. It directly affects jewelry manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retail stores, requiring immediate recalls of non-compliant products. Retailers must remove recalled jewelry from sale within 48 hours and return all inventory to the manufacturer within 14 days at the manufacturer's cost. Manufacturers must dispose of recalled jewelry within 60 days to prevent public access, with violations enforced under the Consumer Fraud Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for New Jersey public safety retirees and members of PFRS, SPRS, and PERS to claim accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows retirement system boards to approve additional two-year filing extensions beyond the initial two-year window required after the 2019 law. The bill also provides an alternative to proving prior medical health status by permitting members to submit medical examination results from before or after public service entry, rather than requiring proof of a passing pre-employment physical. This applies to those who participated in 9/11 operations between September 11-12, 2001, and developed qualifying health conditions as a result of their service. Retirement systems must notify members about this bill within 30 days of enactment.