Asm. Gabe Rodriguez

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A1905 requires the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign informing immigrants about privacy laws that prevent health care enrollment data from being shared with immigration authorities. The campaign must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate materials in English and Spanish, distributed through health clinics, community centers, media, and a dedicated Spanish-accessible website. The website must summarize relevant privacy protections and include bilingual navigation and links to additional resources. This aims to help uninsured immigrants access state health care programs (like Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare) without fear of immigration consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand New Jersey's NJ FamilyCare program to provide full health coverage to pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children up to age one, who currently qualify only for emergency medical care. Specifically, it grants pregnant undocumented individuals coverage through 60 days after pregnancy ends, and their children coverage until age one, if they cannot prove legal immigration status. The coverage requires federal approval for matching funds; if unavailable, it would begin only after state funding is appropriated. The bill explicitly states it cannot override federal law restricting non-citizens' Medicaid access.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2475) requires all New Jersey public school districts to include Juneteenth education in their Social Studies curriculum. It mandates instruction on four specific points: the June 19, 1865 events in Galveston, Texas; the historical context of delayed emancipation news; Juneteenth's meaning and symbolism; and how communities celebrate it. The Commissioner of Education will provide age-appropriate teaching resources to support this requirement. The law applies to all elementary, middle, and high school students and takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Commission on Human Trafficking’s existing duties to specifically address trafficking affecting women and children of color. It requires the commission to study racial disparities in trafficking vulnerability, identify prevention strategies for these groups, and improve support services for victims. The commission must then make legislative recommendations based on these findings. The bill does not create new programs but directs the existing commission to prioritize these issues in its annual work.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program called the "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program" in Monmouth, Union, Camden, and Cumberland counties. The program provides eligible defendants on pretrial release with biopsychosocial assessments and connects them to community-based services including medical, mental health, and substance use treatment. Defendants who successfully participate in the program will have their participation considered as a mitigating factor in charging decisions and sentencing. The program is administered by approved pretrial community support providers with at least two years of experience in reentry services, and a report will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature after the pilot concludes to determine if the program should continue or expand.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A543) requires all newly-manufactured school buses in New Jersey to have GPS systems that track their real-time location and speed. It directly affects school bus manufacturers and school districts purchasing new buses, as they must install the GPS equipment. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, and the State Board of Education will create rules for installation and data use. The requirement applies only to buses made on or after that effective date.

Maddy summaryThe Palisades Cliffs Protection and Planning Act establishes a Palisades Cliffs Preservation Council with 10 members appointed by municipalities along the Palisades cliffs. It creates a "Palisades Planning Region" extending up to 2000 feet east of the cliff crest and sets height restrictions for development to preserve views of the Hudson River. The council will review development applications and create model land use regulations to prevent overdevelopment. This bill directly affects the 10 municipalities along the Palisades cliffs: Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, North Bergen, Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, and Fort Lee. The council must report annually to local governments and counties about its activities and financial operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires libraries in New Jersey municipalities or counties where 40% or more of residents live below 1.85x the federal poverty line to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and all-gender restrooms. Libraries must also display educational pamphlets about menstrual health topics, including toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal. The state will cover all costs for providing these products and pamphlets. The law applies to libraries supported by municipal or county tax funds and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to create detailed diversity plans with specific goals for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students, aligned with local or state demographics. Institutions must submit annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, graduation, and certification rates broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender, plus describe support programs for underrepresented students. Each campus must appoint a diversity ambassador to oversee implementation, provide annual bias training for hiring committees, and increase consideration of candidates from underrepresented groups in faculty searches. The state education secretary will also develop guidance for inclusive hiring practices, to be shared with all public institutions by November 15 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to study why high school graduates choose out-of-state colleges instead of staying in-state. The study will survey students, review academic/socioeconomic factors of those who leave versus stay, compare out-of-state college quality to NJ institutions, and consult guidance counselors. It also examines whether New Jersey's small size or students' desire for independence influences their choices. The Secretary must submit a report with findings and potential solutions to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill does not change current policies but aims to gather data to inform future decisions.