Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey-Haiti Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and Haiti. The 13-member commission (including the Secretary of State as chair and 12 appointed public members) will study historical connections, analyze data on New Jersey's Haitian-American community (which has the 4th largest Haitian population in the U.S.), and identify economic collaboration opportunities like trade and cultural exchanges. The commission must hold quarterly public hearings, conduct research, and submit annual reports with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its first meeting. It directly affects New Jersey's Haitian-American residents and the state's relationship with Haiti by focusing on concrete policy recommendations for economic development and partnership.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A567) requires courts to order counseling for children who have witnessed or been exposed to domestic violence in households where abuse has occurred. It establishes a legal presumption that custody of minor children should be awarded to the non-abusive parent when a final restraining order is issued in domestic violence cases. The bill also permits courts to order the abusive parent to pay for the child's counseling and requires them to provide proof of payment to the court. Additionally, it mandates that courts consider the child's exposure to domestic violence when making custody decisions, prioritizing the child's safety and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4944) requires New Jersey’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to launch a public awareness campaign about doula and midwife services. It directs DHS to educate women and birthing persons - especially those enrolled in NJ FamilyCare - on the benefits of these services, including improved maternal and infant health outcomes, culturally competent care, and coverage for prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support. The campaign will use print and digital media, and DHS must post clear information and an annual updated directory of approved doula and midwife providers on its website. The bill specifically aims to increase access to these services by clarifying NJ FamilyCare coverage details.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy Smiles Act (A5471) increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 1, 2025, and requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate for identical services. It mandates annual adjustments to these rates based on the Northeast region's Consumer Price Index, beginning one year after implementation. The bill directly affects dental care providers serving NJ FamilyCare children under 21 and aims to improve access to dental care for low-income children, addressing historically low reimbursement rates that have been unchanged since 2007. Non-compliant managed care organizations face daily civil penalties of up to $10,000 for paying below the required rate.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school employees to immediately report credible threats of violence (such as threats of death or serious injury) to the principal or their designee. If law enforcement determines the threat is imminent and credible, the school must notify all staff, students, and parents, and place the individual on a list prohibiting access to school property and events. The school must also share this access list with all employees and administrators in the district and neighboring districts. The bill updates school safety training to include procedures for reporting threats and restricting access, while protecting employees from liability for good-faith actions taken under the law. It directly affects school districts, employees, and individuals making threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school meal providers to prioritize purchasing foods from local sources when using federal or state funds for school meal programs. It mandates that school food authorities and contracted vendors give geographic preference to foods produced within 100 miles of the school, with specific preference given to in-state farmers within that 100-mile radius. The policy applies to procurement under the Local Food for Schools program and similar initiatives, requiring contracts to include compliance provisions and documentation to verify adherence to these sourcing requirements. The bill aims to support local agriculture while ensuring school meal programs follow specific geographic sourcing guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric and gas utilities using smart meters to create an "Energy Bill Watch" program for customers. It mandates utilities to notify smart meter customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle if their usage exceeds their previous cycle's average, allow customers to set dollar-based usage alerts, and provide monthly cost and consumption data in notifications. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers (with opt-out options), advertise the program via email, social media, websites, and bills, and include specific billing details - previous cycle cost, current cycle cost, and the difference - on all customer bills. The program applies only to utilities using smart meters and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025" to streamline teacher certification and address staffing shortages. It creates four new endorsements: Students with Disabilities (PreK-12), Elementary School (K-8), Bilingual/Bicultural (PreK-12), and General Science (9-12), replacing older, more fragmented certifications. The bill simplifies testing by requiring only a minimum average score (not individual subtest scores) for elementary certification, and exempts native speakers of world languages from additional coursework for middle school endorsements. These changes directly affect educators seeking or holding teaching certifications, particularly in high-need areas like special education, bilingual education, and STEM, aiming to make certification more accessible while maintaining quality standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of purchasing sexual services (prostitution as a patron) from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the fourth degree for first offenses, with higher penalties for repeat violations. It requires convicted patrons to participate in a mandatory education program about human trafficking and pay a $500 fee. All fines and fees collected from these offenses are directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund," which provides services to trafficking victims and supports educational programs about human trafficking. The fund was established by prior legislation to assist survivors and combat human trafficking through prevention and awareness efforts.