Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new third-degree crime of incest in New Jersey, making it illegal for someone to marry or engage in sexual penetration with specific close family members. It directly affects individuals in relationships including ancestors/descendants, siblings, aunts/uncles (siblings of a parent), or nieces/nephews (children of a sibling), covering both blood relatives and adopted family ties regardless of legitimacy. The law establishes penalties of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both for violations. This expands criminal liability beyond current sexual assault laws, which previously did not cover incestuous acts between consenting adults.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits businesses from charging higher prices for goods or services marketed to women compared to substantially similar products for men, addressing the "pink tax." It defines "substantially similar" products as those with no significant differences in materials, function, or design (excluding minor color or packaging differences). Businesses like tailors, salons, and dry cleaners must clearly disclose all standard service prices in writing, post visible price lists (14-point bold), and display a mandated sign about the law. Price differences based on legitimate factors like materials or tariffs remain permitted, and the law does not override existing anti-discrimination protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow termination of parental rights when a parent is convicted of murdering the child's other parent, or aiding/abetting such murder, or committing a serious assault that caused death or injury to the other parent. It directly affects parents convicted of these specific offenses and the child whose safety is at issue. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) must file a petition to terminate parental rights in these cases, but may consider if the parent was a domestic violence victim or acting in self-defense at the time of the offense. The law expands existing provisions that previously only covered murder of the child or other children, now including the child's other parent as a protected individual.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2592 requires most residential landlords to give tenants written notice within five business days if nearby construction (like neighbor property work) or their own maintenance might cause property damage or hazards. This applies to landlords renting properties with more than two units or seasonal rentals, excluding small owner-occupied homes (up to three units) and hotels. Notices must be delivered by mail, posted prominently, or electronically before work begins. Landlords who fail to provide notice face fines up to $200 per violation, enforceable through local courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to appropriate $1 million annually from the General Fund to educational services commissions that primarily serve students from School Development Authority (SDA) districts. These commissions currently receive no state funding for school facility upgrades or security improvements, despite having similar needs as SDA districts. The funds must be used for specific facility projects (like construction or renovations) and security measures (such as cameras, emergency notification systems, and access controls).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to work directly with social services representatives to help students apply for programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to streamline enrollment processes. The bill also directs colleges and workforce boards to partner with community organizations to identify unemployed residents who could benefit from college enrollment for career pathways. These provisions aim to connect students with existing support systems and improve access to education and workforce opportunities.

Maddy summaryAJR 47 designates January 13 of each year as "Korean American Day" in New Jersey to honor the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. on January 13, 1903. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. It directly affects the Korean American community in New Jersey by formally recognizing their historical contributions and cultural impact. The resolution focuses solely on commemoration, with no new policy or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2726) requires employers in New Jersey to use bias audits for automated tools that screen job applicants or make employment decisions (like hiring, promotions, or pay). It mandates that sellers of these tools provide annual bias audits evaluating potential discrimination against protected groups (such as race, gender, or disability), and employers must post audit summaries online and notify candidates 10 days before using such tools. The law applies to all employers, including government agencies, and aims to prevent biased outcomes by requiring independent reviews and transparency. The bill is pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a four-year pilot program for up to 15 New Jersey school districts to create confidential mental health assistance programs for students in grades K-12. The programs will identify students facing mental health challenges (including those related to family, school, or personal issues), provide voluntary counseling and support services, and connect students with community resources - all while maintaining strict confidentiality. Districts must apply with funding plans, and participating schools will track student participation and outcomes. After the pilot, the state will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and recommend whether to expand it statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to accept birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, divorce decrees, or court orders as valid proof of a legal name change for driver's licenses. It extends the deadline for updating a license name from two weeks to six months after a name change (or until the next license renewal), removing previous barriers like requiring court orders for middle name changes. The bill also clarifies that digitized signature images count as handwritten signatures for license updates. This directly affects New Jersey drivers who have legally changed their names through marriage, divorce, or court order. The policy change simplifies the process for updating license information without requiring additional court documentation.