Rep. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits tourist helicopter operations that provide sightseeing tours in specific areas, including the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. It requires the Commissioner of Transportation to ban these operations at all state-licensed aviation facilities like airports, heliports, and helistops. The prohibition does not apply to helicopters operated by federal/military authorities, state government, or for emergency medical transportation. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts serving at least 5% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals to offer halal lunch options. Halal meals must comply with Islamic religious practices, national nutrition standards, and food safety rules, while costing no more than comparable non-halal meals. The requirement applies starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment. It directly affects school districts meeting the student eligibility threshold, ensuring dietary accommodations for Muslim students without increasing costs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1143 establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental disability service programs. The COLA, based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI) from October 1 to September 30 (as published by the U.S. Department of Labor), must be included in state contracts for these programs starting on the bill's effective date. This applies to all state-funded programs - whether fully or partially Medicaid-funded - that are licensed or approved by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Department must announce the annual COLA rate each October 1, ensuring service providers receive regular inflation-based funding increases.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies and health plans to cover medical expenses for children and teens under 18 with diagnosed complex medical needs. It mandates coverage for necessary medical services, equipment, prescriptions, and nursing care when a licensed doctor deems it medically required, and prohibits insurers from demanding pre-approvals or precertifications for these covered services. Insurers must approve such coverage within three business days of receiving a doctor's letter confirming medical necessity. The bill defines "complex medical needs" as conditions that are emergent, life-threatening, substantially disabling, require specialized care, or involve high-risk treatments. This applies to all health plans issued or purchased in New Jersey, including state employee and school employee programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and medical professionals to report all suicide attempts or deaths by suicide involving first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and emergency rescue personnel) to New Jersey's Division of Mental Health Services within three business days. It mandates the creation of an anonymous, aggregated database tracking these incidents statewide, without identifying individuals. The Division must then issue an annual report to the Governor and Legislature containing demographic summaries of these cases. The goal is to better understand and address the elevated suicide risk among first responders, who face significant job-related stressors and are documented to have higher suicide rates than the general public.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to identify and regularly post on its website job openings with minimal barriers to entry for people returning to work after incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who face challenges like employment stigma and lack of educational opportunities. The key mechanism is DOLWD’s ongoing duty to list available positions that don’t require extensive experience, high education, or have automatic criminal record disqualifications. The goal is to improve reentry success by connecting these job seekers with accessible employment options.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems to notify customers and local officials (including schools, hospitals, and municipalities) within 30 days if PFAS levels in drinking water exceed a safe limit, explaining health risks and directing them to an educational program. Landlords must share these notices with tenants within 3 business days and post them prominently in rental properties. The state's environmental agency must create an online educational program about PFAS health effects and mitigation steps, updated annually on its website. These requirements take effect 18 months after enactment, with the educational program starting within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits organizing, promoting, or participating in competitive events (such as contests with prizes) where participants harass or take specific wildlife - including coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and other listed animals - except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to six months in jail, $1,000 fine) plus a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and possession privileges. Injured wildlife must be transported to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife becomes the property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The law applies broadly to events not covered by existing field trial permits, targeting commercialized wildlife competitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create special license plates for disabled veterans, allowing them to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities without needing separate disability placards. The plates, which display "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol, will be issued at no cost by the Motor Vehicle Commission to veterans certified by the federal VA as having service-connected disabilities. These plates are non-transferable and must be displayed on the vehicle to qualify for reserved parking, replacing the current requirement for additional disability identification. Misuse of the plates may result in revocation and forfeiture.