Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to award preschool education contracts directly to licensed childcare providers or Head Start programs without public bidding, through a board resolution. It extends the maximum contract term for these services from two years to three years. Boards must still document their reasons for using this exception and make contracts available for public inspection. The bill specifically applies to preschool services supported by state preschool education aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A5623, authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $53.45 million in low-interest loans for 17 specific transportation infrastructure projects across New Jersey municipalities in Fiscal Year 2026. The bill lists exact projects including bridge replacements, road improvements, and street redesigns in locations like Bayonne, Hoboken, Essex County, and Princeton. It includes a principal-forgiveness provision allowing up to $100,000 of a loan (per borrower) to be forgiven for planning and design costs on projects that complete construction with at least $250,000 in financing. The bill specifies how the bank can use loan repayments, bond proceeds, and other funds to support the program's operations while maintaining clear eligibility requirements for participating local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools to provide parents of special education students with a written summary of topics to be discussed at annual IEP meetings at least two business days in advance. The summary must include the student’s current academic/functional performance, a list of any excused IEP team members with their input, and an invitation for parent feedback. It also establishes an IEP Improvement Working Group within the New Jersey Department of Education, composed of educators, administrators, parents, and disability experts. The group must research best practices, examine disparities between school districts, and submit recommendations to improve IEP development and parental involvement within four months of organizing.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Athletic Training Licensure Act to modernize the profession's regulations. It updates the definition of "athletic training" to include services for individuals generally (not just athletes), covering injury prevention, health management, evaluation, and rehabilitation. The bill removes outdated references to "athletes" throughout the law and clarifies that athletic trainers cannot diagnose medical conditions or perform services outside their scope. It also updates licensing requirements to require degrees from programs meeting CAATE standards and mandates that licensed athletic trainers display their license when providing services. The bill repeals a section restricting athletic trainers from performing physical therapy procedures for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3871) requires New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in social studies and English language arts lessons for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates the State Board of Education to adopt specific learning standards on this topic and directs school boards to integrate these standards into their existing curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must also provide sample lesson plans and resources to support implementation, working with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. This affects all New Jersey public schools and their K-12 students by making this content a required part of standard curriculum, not optional.

Maddy summaryAJR 216 is a joint resolution directing New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate whether PJM Interconnection's Reliability Pricing Model (capacity market) effectively provides reliable electricity at the lowest cost. The bill requires the BPU to report its findings within 12 months and directs the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, prioritize carbon-free sources, and urge PJM to implement market reforms. It specifically addresses rising capacity costs in PJM's auctions - contributing to higher electricity bills - and delays in approving new generation projects that prevent lower-cost resources from entering the market. The resolution aims to protect ratepayers, particularly low-income households, from price increases while supporting grid reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $107,999,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for local government open space and park projects. The funds will support $22.4 million for land acquisition, $80.3 million for park development (including inclusive playgrounds), and $3 million for a new planning grant program. It prioritizes projects in densely populated areas (defined as municipalities with at least 5,000 people per square mile or 35,000 people total) and requires Joint Budget Oversight Committee approval for fund distribution. The bill specifies eligible projects across 30+ municipalities and counties for recreation, conservation, and park improvements. Local governments will use these funds to develop recreational spaces, conserve natural areas, and enhance existing parks.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It honors the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr. (who served in Congress from 1997 until his death in 2024), specifically recognizing his founding role in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. The resolution urges New Jersey's current and future U.S. Congress members to join and support this bipartisan task force, which focuses on advancing brain injury awareness, research, and policy. It has no effect on laws or funding - it is purely a commemorative statement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors bidding on New Jersey public works projects (funded by public funds) to certify that each employee meets one of three minimum qualifications: a high school or GED diploma, enrollment in an equivalent apprenticeship program, or four years of verifiable work experience as a tradesperson. Contractors must provide documentation to verify these qualifications during electronic registration with the state. The law directly affects construction and labor contractors working on public projects, ensuring workers meet basic education or experience standards. It amends existing registration requirements under P.L.1999, c.238, with enforcement tied to contractor registration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Universal Preschool and Kindergarten Act" requiring all school districts to provide full-day kindergarten by the 2029-2030 school year. It creates a Universal Preschool Implementation Steering Committee to oversee preschool expansion and establishes preschool expansion grants for districts not currently providing State-funded preschool. The bill revises preschool education aid formulas to prioritize districts with higher concentrations of at-risk students and requires districts receiving preschool aid to partner with licensed childcare providers and Head Start programs. School districts must submit annual implementation plans and participate in quality improvement assessments. The legislation aims to expand access to high-quality preschool for all three- and four-year-olds in New Jersey.