Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop a program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The program mandates creating a toolkit for state employees and community partners, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, and identifying gaps in services. It also requires all state agencies serving children and adults to implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and using trauma-sensitive language in contracts. The goal is to improve health and educational outcomes by addressing childhood trauma early through evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4385) requires vehicle manufacturers selling cars in New Jersey to stamp the vehicle identification number (VIN) onto catalytic converters. It directly affects manufacturers, mandating this marking on all converters installed in vehicles sold within the state. The key provision is that each catalytic converter must bear the VIN, making it traceable to a specific vehicle. The bill aims to deter thefts - citing a sharp rise from 3,400 reported cases in 2019 to over triple that in 2020 - by making stolen converters harder to resell anonymously.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools that provide in-person student psychological services (for grades K-12) to also offer remote counseling sessions. It applies to school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects employing licensed school psychologists. Students may choose remote sessions unless the psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for their best interest. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.

Maddy summaryAJR 178 is a New Jersey joint resolution urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment option for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) who haven’t responded to standard therapies. It directly affects veterans using VA care, noting that 23% of VA patients have experienced PTSD, which can cause long-term neurological and psychological symptoms. The resolution highlights that HBOT has shown potential in treating brain function disruptions and references a 2017 VA pilot program and recent VA evidence reviews. It does not fund or mandate HBOT but requests a formal study to assess its effectiveness for veterans with treatment-resistant conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving opportunity grants through New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their academic major. Students must notify the Secretary of Higher Education before the academic year begins, resulting in a proportional reduction of their grant funds during the regular academic year. The bill also requires annual reporting by institutions on summer grant usage and graduation rates, implementing a 2016 College Affordability Study Commission recommendation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 139) expressing formal appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. It specifically thanks the Chief Clerk and all staff members - including Sergeants at Arms, committee services, administrative personnel, and others - for their dedication, expertise, and service during legislative sessions. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely a symbolic gesture recognizing staff contributions to the legislature's operations. Copies will be distributed to all General Assembly staff members.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates automated hiring tools used by employers in New Jersey to prevent discrimination. It requires vendors selling such tools in the state to conduct annual bias audits and include the audit results with the sale. Employers using these tools must post the latest audit summary on their website and notify job candidates within 30 days if an automated tool was used to assess their application, including details about the criteria evaluated. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,500 per incident. The bill directly affects employers, hiring vendors, and job applicants in New Jersey's workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers to develop heat safety plans to protect workers from heat-related illness and injury. The plans must include access to cool water, shaded rest areas, regular breaks, and training on recognizing heat illness symptoms. Employers must follow these plans when temperatures reach 90°F outdoors or 87°F indoors, and must review their plans annually. The Department of Labor will enforce these requirements with fines or stop-work orders for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program, providing funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (including places of worship) to implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems for security improvements. It allocates up to $25,000 per nonprofit for smart technology (like motion sensors) and up to $100,000 for AI systems (such as threat-detection tools), prioritizing organizations serving at-risk communities, communities of color, and collaborative or interdisciplinary groups. Recipients must report on security enhancements, community engagement initiatives, and AI system assessments to prevent bias, while the program requires $14 million annually in state funding and includes mandatory technical support and annual impact evaluations.