Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media platforms with at least five million global users to cooperate with designated nonprofit organizations (like StopNCII.org and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Take It Down initiative) to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. It mandates that platforms establish procedures for nonprofits to flag and request removal of such content - including AI-generated deceptive media - and requires immediate takedown of flagged material pending review. The law defines "nonconsensual" broadly, covering cases where victims didn’t consent, minors were involved, or deceptive media misrepresented individuals. Social media companies violating the law face fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects platforms serving New Jersey users and protects individuals targeted by nonconsensual sharing of intimate content.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit social media platforms from promoting content related to eating disorders - such as diet products, extreme weight loss practices, or harmful eating behaviors - to users under 18. Platforms must conduct quarterly internal audits and annual independent audits to ensure their algorithms or features don’t contribute to eating disorders in children, and fix any issues within 30 days if identified. Small platforms with less than $100 million in annual revenue are exempt from the audit requirements. The bill does not hold platforms liable for user-generated content unless the platform paid to promote it (e.g., via advertisements).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to collect and publicly report employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates using the state's statewide data system. It directly affects all public and private post-secondary institutions in New Jersey by mandating they post this information on their websites, disaggregated by factors like race, income, and gender. Key provisions include annual updates to a "student consumer information report" covering employment data for the three most recent graduation years, alongside other metrics like graduation rates and costs. Institutions must also provide physical copies with admission applications and link to a state-maintained comparative profile. The goal is to give prospective students and families transparent, data-driven insights about post-graduation outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to organize monthly seminars, either in person or online, to educate customers about electric power and gas suppliers. The legislation also mandates that utility companies provide a one-page contract summary in both English and Spanish that clearly explains pricing, contract terms, and the risks of unauthorized provider switching. Additionally, the bill establishes new rules to prevent discrimination in customer acceptance, standardizes advertising costs to avoid hidden fees, and ensures that credit requirements are applied equally to all residential accounts. These changes directly affect residential and small commercial energy customers by increasing transparency and protecting them from unfair marketing practices.

Maddy summaryThe GAI Accountability Act imposes civil penalties on owners, operators, and developers of generative artificial intelligence platforms that are accessible to New Jersey residents. These entities could face a $20,000 fine for each violation if their platforms engage in specific harmful acts, such as creating child sexual abuse material or assisting users in committing crimes like murder or assault. The law includes a defense for companies that can prove they made reasonable efforts to prevent these violations, and enforcement is handled by the state Attorney General.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits real estate sellers and their agents in New Jersey from using photos in advertisements that have been created or edited with generative artificial intelligence or other software intended to fundamentally alter an image. It requires all property photos to reflect the actual current state of the dwelling and be no older than five years. Sellers may still use AI or editing tools to add furniture or non-fixed items, provided they disclose the use of such technology in advertisements and provide original unaltered images upon request. Violations of these rules could result in civil penalties of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to automatically notify graduating high school students in their county of acceptance into the college. The notification, sent by December 1, must include instructions on how to enroll, register for classes, and apply for financial aid without requiring a separate application or fee. While the offer guarantees admission to the college, it does not ensure placement in a specific major or specialized program. The legislation also mandates that the New Jersey Council of County Colleges submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and impact.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases fines for retailers selling tobacco or vaping products to people under 21. Retailers face $750 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second, and $3,000 for third or subsequent violations. It also allows license suspension after a second violation and requires retailers to post warning signs at point-of-sale. Five percent of collected fines fund public education about vaping risks and illegal sales. The law directly affects stores selling tobacco or vaping products, aiming to reduce underage access through stricter penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1950) requires all general and special hospitals in New Jersey to adopt evidence-based protocols for early sepsis recognition and treatment. The protocols must include distinct guidelines for adult and pediatric patients, covering screening, treatment goals, infection source identification, and antibiotic timing, while specifying cases where treatment isn’t appropriate (e.g., palliative care). Hospitals must train relevant staff, submit protocols to the Department of Health for approval within 120 days of enactment, and annually report data to track adherence and mortality rates. These protocols aim to improve outcomes for sepsis patients, a condition that causes over 28% of deaths in New Jersey and is the eighth-leading cause of death in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the intent to force them out of their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, or filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, holding them personally accountable for these actions. Penalties range from disorderly persons offenses to fourth- or third-degree crimes depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior, while also allowing victims to seek civil penalties and damages. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for prosecutors to delay charges if the landlord agrees to fix the problematic behavior within ten days.