Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) with in vitro fertilization (IVF) for people who are not infertile, specifically to prevent certain serious genetic conditions from being passed to offspring. Coverage is required when both partners are carriers of specific genetic disorders, one partner is a carrier with a child who has the disorder, or the genetic condition would cause significant health problems in offspring. The bill defines specific medical conditions that qualify for coverage and limits it to those cases, while allowing religious employers to request exclusions if coverage conflicts with their religious beliefs. The coverage must be provided at facilities meeting specific medical standards, with the same copayments and deductibles as other pregnancy-related services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility and from assisting federal immigration authorities. It requires government entities to adopt policies protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and shelters from immigration enforcement activities, ensuring immigrants can access public services without fear. The law mandates law enforcement training on these restrictions, prohibits detaining individuals based on immigration status, and requires annual reporting on interactions with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform immigrants of their rights under the law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4936 requires all public school districts to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) instruction into K-12 curricula, covering AI concepts, foundational skills, and ethical use. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Education to provide age-appropriate teaching resources to support this requirement. Additionally, it requires public colleges to offer AI certificate and degree programs, with the Secretary of Higher Education developing standardized curricula for four-year colleges and county colleges. These model curricula must ensure academic quality, include course sequences, career pathway materials, and align with accreditation standards. The law takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide students with disabilities access to assistive services during class, such as note-taking software or a scribe for recording course material. It specifically limits recording use to personal study and prohibits recording tests or graded assignments completed during class. The law applies directly to students with disabilities enrolled at state-funded higher education institutions. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords and companies from selling or using software that sets or recommends rental prices or occupancy rates based on non-public competitor data, such as actual rent prices or lease details from other landlords. It directly affects corporate and individual landlords who use such algorithmic tools, while allowing software that relies on publicly available data or affordable housing program guidelines. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, with enforcement handled by the New Jersey Attorney General through civil actions for damages or injunctions. The law does not restrict standard property management software or the amount landlords may charge in rent.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education to study and recommend improvements to financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of New Jersey's public colleges and universities. The commission includes the Secretary of Higher Education (ex officio), college presidents, faculty, student representatives, and a fiscal management expert, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. It must complete its work within 180 days of organizing and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature, after which the commission expires. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey by requiring them to be evaluated for improvements in how they disclose costs, manage finances, and ensure student protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission to suspend collection of motor vehicle surcharges for drivers incarcerated for more than 90 days during the three-year period surcharges are assessed. The suspension would last while the person is incarcerated and for at least 90 days after release. Crucially, the time during which surcharge collection is suspended would not count toward the standard 36-month payment window. Drivers would still need to pay the full surcharge amount within 36 months, but the incarceration period would not be included in that timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey that already have video or audio surveillance systems to keep all recordings for 180 days. It mandates that the Department of Children and Families or a designated third party must review these recordings before they can be deleted. The law does not require centers without existing systems to install new surveillance equipment. It applies specifically to centers licensed under Title 30 of New Jersey law and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to award academic credit to students who earn a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or 50 or higher on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) assessments. It directly affects high school students who take these exams before enrolling in college and public institutions of higher education. The law mandates that institutions post their credit policies online, report policies to the Higher Education Secretary, and allow limited exemptions for specific courses if institutions provide data showing different score requirements are necessary for student success. Students must be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and have completed the exams while in high school (grades 9-12) to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program in New Jersey public schools for students in grades 6-12 to test lockable phone pouches. School districts must apply with details about their schools and emergency notification plans, and the state will select six districts (two per region) representing urban, suburban, and rural areas. The program is funded by $500,000 from the General Fund to assess impacts on student focus and mental health. A report evaluating the pilot’s effectiveness and recommending next steps must be submitted to lawmakers within 120 days of the program’s conclusion.