Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how school districts and charter schools can use or disclose student waiver forms related to financial aid applications. It requires waiver forms to collect only basic information (name, contact details, date, and signature) and prohibits schools from sharing waiver content or personal details without student or parent consent, in line with federal privacy laws like FERPA. The bill mandates that all waiver forms include clear, prominent language about these privacy restrictions. This applies to both new waivers and those submitted before the bill's effective date, directly affecting students, parents, and schools handling these records.

Maddy summaryBill A5698 requires non-State employers participating in New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) to remain enrolled for a minimum of five consecutive years after their initial enrollment. If an employer voluntarily leaves and later re-joins either program, they must stay for an additional five years, with the total requirement increasing by five years per re-entry (e.g., 10 years after the first re-entry). The bill also mandates the state agency to develop a participant balancing mechanism to maintain program stability by enrolling more employers and requires annual public reporting on participation trends and program costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to purchase tourniquets and provide annual training for school employees (including nurses, resource officers, and teachers) on their use. It appropriates up to $500,000 from the state General Fund to distribute funds to county superintendents, who must then allocate the money to each public school district. Tourniquets must be placed in unlocked, clearly marked locations accessible during school hours and school events where students are present. Schools must annually train staff on tourniquet use and bleeding control, with training potentially involving local emergency services or nationally recognized organizations.

Maddy summaryAJR 223 designates September 20 of each year as "Puerto Rican Day of Remembrance" in New Jersey. The bill honors the contributions of New Jersey's Puerto Rican community - home to approximately 500,000 residents - and commemorates those affected by Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, causing widespread devastation and an estimated 5,000 fatalities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observation through activities and programs. It is a commemorative measure with no binding policy changes, focusing solely on recognition and remembrance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution permanently designates November 8 each year as "First-Generation College Student Day" in New Jersey. It recognizes first-generation college students - those who are the first in their families to attend and graduate from higher education - and aims to highlight their achievements and challenges. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging colleges, officials, and citizens to observe the day through events and initiatives. It does not create new programs or funding but aligns New Jersey with national recognition of this day, which honors the anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Healthy SNAP Act (A5697) requires the state Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a federal waiver allowing New Jersey to prohibit SNAP beneficiaries from using benefits to purchase soft drinks. It directly affects SNAP recipients in New Jersey who currently use benefits for soft drinks, which the bill defines as non-alcoholic beverages with added sweeteners (excluding milk alternatives and juice-based drinks). Key provisions mandate DHS to submit a detailed waiver request within 90 days, including public health justification, implementation plans for retail systems, outreach to beneficiaries about healthier alternatives, and a tracking system for spending and health outcomes. If denied, DHS must resubmit the request annually until approved, with a report to the governor and legislature within 30 days of any federal decision.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail food stores from raising prices on staple food items more than once per day. It directly affects stores selling everyday groceries like cereals, bread, meats, dairy, fruits, and vegetables - defined as "staple food goods" intended for home preparation. Stores violating this rule face escalating civil penalties: $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent violations. Enforcement will be handled by New Jersey’s Office of Weights and Measures and the Office of Consumer Protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Jersey Fresh Program to include marketing and promotion for locally produced liquor, beer, and wine. It requires the Department of Agriculture to develop a quality grading system for these alcoholic products (similar to the system used for fruits and vegetables) and appropriates $100,000 annually from the General Fund to fund this advertising. The funding will specifically support the promotion of alcohol products made from New Jersey-grown agricultural commodities. This policy change directly affects New Jersey alcohol producers and the Department of Agriculture, integrating them into an existing state agricultural marketing program.

Maddy summaryThe bill establishes a three-year pilot program for electronic monitoring of defendants charged with or convicted of sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, domestic violence crimes, or contempt of domestic violence orders in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties. Electronic monitoring would require victim consent and be ordered only after a court hearing considering risk factors using a standardized assessment tool. Defendants would pay an initial $250 fee and $50 per day (with waivers for financial hardship), with all funds going to the Electronic Monitoring and Crime Victim Notification Fund. The monitoring system would operate 24/7 and notify victims when offenders approach within specified distances (3 miles, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile). The bill appropriates $15 million total ($12 million for the monitoring program, $3 million for domestic violence victims).

Maddy summaryA5682 establishes New Jersey's "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program" to address cases involving youth under 18 who engage in or are impacted by developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful sexual behaviors, including technology-facilitated behaviors like sexting. The program, administered by the New Jersey Children's Alliance, creates specialized care coordinators to connect youth and families to medical and mental health services, establishes a screening and referral process through the State Central Registry, and provides training for mental health providers in evidence-based treatment approaches. The bill appropriates $8.5 million from the General Fund, with $5 million allocated to a "Child Treatment Assistance Fund" to cover medical and mental health services and $3.5 million for program implementation including care coordinator positions and training. This legislation expands the responsibilities of the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and aims to create a coordinated statewide response to cases involving problematic sexual behavior among youth.