Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2585) requires developers to provide written notice of upcoming development hearings to residential tenants living on the property at least 10 days before the hearing. It directly affects tenants in residential buildings where development applications are filed, ensuring they receive notice about proposed changes impacting their living environment. The notice must be delivered via mail or personal service to the tenant's address on file, as specified in the amended notice requirements under New Jersey law. This policy change aims to improve tenant participation in local development decisions affecting their homes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 26) urges Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. It directly affects medical marijuana patients and businesses in New Jersey (and 37 other states) who face barriers due to federal classification, including lack of insurance coverage, banking restrictions, and high costs ($350-$500 monthly for patients). The resolution highlights that marijuana's Schedule I status conflicts with its accepted medical use in many states and scientific evidence of health benefits. It seeks to protect public safety by ending federal restrictions that force dispensaries to handle large cash amounts, increasing crime risks. The bill does not change current law but calls for congressional action to align federal policy with state legalization.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2540, "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act") requires health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover specific cancer treatments without cost-sharing for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer. It mandates coverage for parenteral treatments (like IV medications), survivorship care plans, and other services determined by regulators. The bill also adds protections: mortgage lenders must pause foreclosure during active treatment, creditors cannot initiate collections, and tenants facing eviction can request a 45-day stay with physician certification. These provisions directly affect cancer patients and their families by removing financial barriers to care and preventing housing/financial instability during treatment. The bill is pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1975, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.207) requires cosmetology, hairstyling, barbering, and hair braiding training programs to include specific instruction on working with textured hair. It directly affects licensed professionals in these fields, including cosmetologists, hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders who must complete state-approved training. The key provision amends existing licensing standards to mandate that training curricula cover techniques for textured hair care, ensuring new licensees are trained in this specific skill. The law applies to all training programs operating under the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 449) requires all colleges and universities to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in unlocked locations within athletic facilities and student centers, accessible during normal operating hours. It also mandates that institutions maintain a supply of naloxone nasal spray near each AED for opioid overdose emergencies, with designated staff trained to use both devices. Institutions must ensure at least two staff members are CPR- and AED-trained during facility hours and regularly test/maintain equipment, while also designating a campus medical professional to oversee naloxone use. The bill provides liability protection for institutions and staff acting in good faith when implementing these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to translate key criminal court documents - including indictments, pleadings, and motions - into the primary language of defendants, witnesses, or legal guardians with limited English proficiency. It mandates the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop policies for translating documents into nine specific languages widely spoken in the state (including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Haitian Creole) and to post multilingual signs in courthouses informing people of their right to language assistance. The policy aims to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency can understand court proceedings and exercise their legal rights. The bill directly affects people navigating criminal cases who may face barriers due to language differences.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 1931) prohibits auto insurance companies from using a person's educational level, occupation, or credit score to set insurance rates or determine policyholders' risk tiers. It also bans insurers from asking applicants about these factors during the application process. The law would require insurers to file all underwriting rules with the state commissioner and apply them uniformly statewide. If passed, this would directly affect all auto insurance applicants and policyholders in New Jersey who might have previously faced higher rates based on these factors. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue specialty license plates for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. Motor vehicle owners in New Jersey can apply for these plates by paying a $50 application fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated "Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. License Plate Fund." The fund provides annual grants to support the sorority's mission and programs, after covering administrative costs and initial plate production expenses (partially offset by donations up to $25,000 from the sorority or donors). The sorority's Northeast Regional Board collaborates with the Motor Vehicle Commission on plate design and promotion.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2098) prohibits institutions of higher education and certain proprietary schools from withholding student transcripts due to unpaid debts of $2,000 or less for non-mandatory charges (like campus fees, not tuition or room/board). It specifically bans institutions from refusing transcripts, charging extra fees, or conditioning transcript access on debt payment for qualifying students. Exceptions apply for unpaid tuition/room/board debts, debts exceeding $2,000, or students needing transcripts for new student loans. The bill also requires institutions to post transcript policies online and clarifies that transcript access does not forgive debt or affect diploma issuance. Note: This bill was withdrawn as it was already enacted as P.L.2025, c.353.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires resellers and ticket resale websites to provide a refund or credit if an event they sold tickets for is postponed. It directly affects ticket buyers who purchased resold tickets and the businesses selling those tickets. If an event is postponed, buyers must receive either a full refund (excluding handling/delivery fees if the exclusion was previously disclosed) or a credit for the ticket price (also excluding those fees), with the refund available for 30 days after the postponement is confirmed. The law also mandates clear disclosure of fee exclusions and prohibits resellers from selling tickets they don't yet possess without upfront disclosure.