Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a civil cause of action for disabled minors and adults who experience abuse, neglect, exploitation, or bullying. It extends the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits: for disabled minors, they can sue within 37 years after reaching adulthood or seven years from when they reasonably discover the injury, whichever is later. For disabled adults, they have seven years from discovery to file a civil action. The bill also requires health care professionals, first responders, and others to report bullying of vulnerable adults to adult protective services, which can then investigate and refer cases to law enforcement. It defines "bullying" as any act causing reasonable fear for safety or property damage, and "vulnerable adult" as someone 18+ who lacks capacity due to disability.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts and public colleges to appoint mental health specialists specifically for student-athletes. The specialists must conduct three mental health screenings per season, develop mental health policies, and provide resources to student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Schools must collect aggregated, non-identifying data on student-athlete mental health to create a statewide registry for trend analysis. The bill includes liability protection for specialists acting in good faith and provides funding from the General Fund for implementation. It directly affects all student-athletes participating in public school and college sports programs across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4265) creates a program to pay monetary awards to whistleblowers who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers providing specific, credible information that leads to enforcement actions (like penalties or settlements) can receive 15-30% of the money collected, or up to 10% if the information came from public sources like media or government reports. It excludes current Treasury employees and individuals who planned the violations they reported, and protects whistleblowers from retaliation under existing law. The award amount is based on how much the information contributed to the case outcome.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. It expands the definition of "labor organization" to include any group formed for collective bargaining or mutual aid among employees, and adds membership in such organizations to the list of protected characteristics. This means employers, labor organizations, and others cannot discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their membership in a labor union or employee representation committee. The law already protects people from discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, and disability; this bill extends that protection to include labor organization membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4126) requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, and school contractors to review the employment history of job applicants for positions involving regular student contact. Specifically, it mandates that applicants provide a list of their last 20 years of school-related employers and authorizations for background checks, and disclose any past allegations or findings of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Employers must verify this information with previous employers within 20 days, and applicants who provide false information face termination, civil penalties up to $10,000, or potential criminal charges. The law directly affects all New Jersey schools and contractors hiring staff with student contact, aiming to strengthen screening for potential risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits unauthorized drone operations near schools in New Jersey. It makes it a disorderly persons offense to fly a drone below 250 feet over school property for surveillance, to hover over school grounds without permission, or to use school buildings/grounds as a drone takeoff or landing site. School administrators must provide written authorization for any drone activity within this zone. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law specifically exempts authorized public employees and first responders operating drones for official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to study and evaluate the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system under the TEACHNJ Act. The 12-member task force, including educators, principals, and education organization representatives, must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. It temporarily pauses new student growth data collection for the 2024-2025 school year, requiring schools to use existing data instead - except for new, non-tenured, or first-year teachers who must set new objectives during that year. Starting in 2025-2026, school districts will implement updated data collection guidelines based on the task force's final recommendations. The bill directly affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in New Jersey by allowing them to prescribe more pharmaceutical agents (including some controlled substances), administer certain immunizations (for coronaviruses, influenza, and varicella-zoster virus), and perform simple ophthalmologic procedures like non-invasive laser treatments. It clarifies that optometrists must complete specific training and credentialing to provide these expanded services, including evidence of competence through accredited education programs. The bill directly affects licensed optometrists in New Jersey and their patients, who will have access to a broader range of eye care services from optometrists. The legislation updates the legal definition of optometry practice to better align with optometrists' doctoral education and clinical training.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3987) establishes an optional training program for New Jersey cosmetology, hairstyling, barbering, and skin care licensees to learn how to serve clients with special needs, including those with sensory processing disorders. Licensees who complete the training receive a designation allowing them to provide specialized services, while shops must have at least half their licensed staff trained to qualify for "friendly to individuals with special needs" certification. Certified shops must display a sign indicating this status and renew certification annually. The New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling will collaborate with designated organizations to set training standards and certification requirements.

Maddy summaryAJR 156 establishes the "Williams and Amenhotep New Jersey Task Force on Missing Persons" to review and improve how New Jersey handles missing persons cases. The task force, composed of nine members including state agency heads, police representatives, and appointed public members, will examine statewide law enforcement responses to missing persons reports and investigate best practices for investigations. Within 12 months of forming, the task force must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for potential policy changes. The task force will dissolve three months after submitting its report.