Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant Program to cover career and technical education programs at county vocational schools, directly benefiting adult students pursuing industry-recognized certifications or licenses. It allows eligible students enrolled in approved career training programs (minimum four months) at county vocational school districts to receive grants covering tuition and approved fees not covered by other aid, with income eligibility capped at $65,000 annually. The program now includes vocational schools alongside county colleges, defining "approved fees" to include career program costs like nursing or culinary coursework. Grants are administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, with eligibility requiring residency, enrollment minimums, and completion of federal aid applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires vehicle manufacturers to disclose in the owner's manual when a car has a data recording device (like an event data recorder). It gives vehicle owners control over access to recorded data - such as speed, location, and crash information - and restricts others from accessing it without consent, except in specific cases like emergencies, repairs, court orders, or safety research. Insurers cannot penalize owners for refusing to share this data, and the bill prohibits altering crash data after serious incidents. It directly affects vehicle owners, manufacturers, insurers, and emergency responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide incoming and enrolled students with information about federal food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and local resources. Specifically, institutions must include a link to the SNAP application and NJ 211 (a state service for human services referrals) in initial admission offers and semester registration emails. They must also share details about campus food pantries, meal swipe programs, or community food assistance options. The bill, which was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.213, aims to address food insecurity among college students by improving access to existing support systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help municipalities address flood risks. It provides funding for flood risk assessments, mitigation projects (like dikes, weirs, permeable pavements, and stormwater basins), emergency preparedness training, and public education about flood hazards. Municipalities in greatest need, particularly overburdened communities, will receive priority for grants to implement structural and non-structural flood solutions. The DEP will manage applications, set criteria, and require grantees to report on fund use and program effectiveness annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the daily fee charged to rental car companies in New Jersey from $5 to $2 per rental vehicle. It directly affects rental companies and their customers who rent vehicles for short-term use (up to 28 days). The $2 daily fee remains dedicated to the New Jersey Domestic Security Account, which funds bioterrorism preparedness, nuclear facility security, State Police security services, and counter-terrorism programs. For example, a customer renting a car for five days would save $15 compared to the previous $5-per-day rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes programs to support neurodiverse students at New Jersey's county colleges, appropriating $1.475 million. It creates a two-year pilot program to fund accessibility coordinators at three county colleges (one per region), who will provide academic advising, resource navigation, and career connections for neurodiverse students. The bill also mandates professional development for college staff on supporting neurodiverse students and creates a grant program for STEM facility modifications, such as sensory-friendly rooms and assistive technology. These provisions directly affect neurodiverse students enrolled in county colleges across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3405 requires the Department of Transportation to adopt a complete streets policy for all new and rebuilt highway and public transit projects, ensuring safe access for all users including people with disabilities. It specifically mandates that projects consider the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities to enable independent travel. The policy requires the DOT to develop universal design concepts and implementation guidance for these accessibility features in all planning, construction, and maintenance activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2612) requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education and public colleges/universities to create specific programs aimed at increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles. Key provisions include establishing leadership development programs for faculty, creating pathways for undergraduates to pursue academic careers, and mandating institutions to adopt diversity-focused hiring policies for leadership search committees. Public institutions must implement recruitment/retention programs, submit annual reports tracking leadership diversity (by race/gender), and review their progress. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey and their leadership hiring processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public and independent colleges and universities to maintain a supply of opioid antidotes (like naloxone) in secure, accessible locations. Institutions must create a policy allowing licensed campus medical staff and trained employees to administer the antidote in good faith to anyone showing signs of an opioid overdose - including students, staff, or visitors - and mandate hospital transport after administration. The policy must include training on standardized protocols based on the state's Overdose Prevention Act. The bill also provides liability protection for good faith actions taken under these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits operating drones below 250 feet over school property without permission. Specifically, it makes it a disorderly persons offense to use a drone for surveillance, hover over school grounds, or use school buildings as takeoff/landing areas without the superintendent's written authorization. The law applies to all public and nonpublic K-12 schools in New Jersey. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The bill aims to protect student safety and privacy by restricting unauthorized drone activity near schools.