Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2576) requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency to allow adoptive parents receiving adoption subsidies to choose direct deposit into their bank account instead of paper checks. It directly affects adoptive parents who qualify for state-funded adoption subsidies under existing law. The key provision mandates that payments be made via direct deposit upon the adoptive parent's written request, replacing the current system of mailing paper checks. This change aims to streamline payments while maintaining eligibility criteria for children classified as "hard to place" for adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey employers (including public entities and private businesses) to provide eligible pregnant employees with 20 hours of paid leave annually for prenatal health care appointments. Employees may take this leave in one-hour increments and receive regular pay for the time taken, covering activities like doctor visits, tests, and discussions with health providers related to pregnancy. Employers cannot retaliate against or discriminate against employees who use this leave, though unused leave does not carry over upon job separation. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public database managed by New Jersey's Business Action Center (within the Department of State) listing vacant commercial properties available for small businesses to lease or purchase. The database must include specific details like square footage, included equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). Commercial property owners are required to report vacancies or occupancy changes to the center, which will update the database monthly using input from owners, realtors, and municipalities. The database will be accessible online and promoted to business associations and local chambers to help small businesses find suitable space more efficiently.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Inclusive Workplaces Program within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial support for employers creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent employees. It offers grants of up to $25,000 per small business (employing fewer than 150 people) and tax credits (up to $25,000 or 50% of eligible investments) for large businesses (150+ employees), both requiring at least one or three neurodivergent employees respectively. Key provisions include funding for sensory-friendly workspace adjustments, adaptive equipment, and staff training programs, with a total annual appropriation of $2.5 million. The program requires employers to apply and demonstrate specific workplace investments before receiving support.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits wholesale dealers from raising prices on physical goods (such as food, medical supplies, or beverages) unreasonably without justification, defining "price gouging" as hikes not tied to inflation, supply disruptions, or market fluctuations. It directly affects businesses selling goods wholesale to retailers or other resellers. Violations would be enforced under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, with fines up to $20,000 per offense and potential legal actions like cease-and-desist orders. The law aims to prevent unjust price increases that harm small businesses purchasing these goods.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to cover eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require 150+ classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate eligible programs and set participation rules, while institutions must report program success metrics. This change allows workforce training participants to access state aid previously limited to degree-granting programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the asset limits (resource thresholds) for New Jersey Medicaid eligibility under the "medically needy" program. It raises the maximum allowable assets from current levels to $40,000 for single-person households, $60,000 for two-person households, and an additional $20,000 per extra person in larger households. These changes directly affect individuals who qualify as "medically needy" - including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and people who are blind or disabled - by allowing them to retain more assets while still qualifying for Medicaid coverage. The policy adjustment aligns New Jersey’s resource standards with federal guidelines for medically needy eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum age for residents in New Jersey's pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26 years old. It directly affects facilities licensed under P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) and young adults aged 19-26 who currently must transition to adult care at age 19. The key provision modifies licensing rules to permit these facilities to admit and serve residents up to age 26. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.