Asm. Gabe Rodriguez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all menstrual products sold in New Jersey - including tampons, pads, discs, cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable) - to list every ingredient on the package in descending order of quantity. The label must be clearly visible and understandable to consumers. Manufacturers who sell noncompliant products after the bill’s effective date face civil penalties of up to 1% of their annual in-state sales per package, capped at $1,000 per item, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies only to products manufactured after the effective date and excludes shipping packaging.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey higher education and proprietary institutions from withholding student transcripts due to debts under $2,000 for non-mandatory charges (like activity fees). It requires institutions to release transcripts for transfer, graduate programs, or employment purposes regardless of such small debts, but allows them to require repayment plans for larger debts (over $2,000) or mandatory fees (tuition, room/board). Institutions cannot charge extra fees for transcripts or use transcript issuance to collect debt. Students needing transcripts for new or refinanced student loans cannot have their transcripts restricted. The law applies only to students residing in the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program to the Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program and makes several key changes to expand eligibility and improve program administration. It increases the maximum loan redemption amount from $120,000 to $200,000, allows psychiatrists and other health professionals designated by the Commissioner of Health to participate, and expands the definition of "State designated underserved area" to include municipalities where over 50% of households are at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The program provides partial loan repayment for health care professionals who commit to working in underserved areas, with repayment amounts based on years of service at approved sites. The bill also establishes new criteria for sites to be automatically designated as approved sites and requires annual reporting on the program's impact to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes the New Jersey Council of County Colleges' role by expanding its responsibilities. It requires the Council to develop a biennial strategic plan for county colleges, serve as the primary advisory body to state agencies on college-related matters, and create a performance-based funding formula for state aid (capping operational support at 43% of colleges' base-year costs). The Council must also enhance data sharing, coordinate statewide academic initiatives, and build partnerships with employers to align programs with workforce needs. These changes directly affect all 19 New Jersey county colleges and their funding mechanisms, while strengthening the Council's role in guiding state higher education policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.

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 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, 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.