Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school students aged 14 and older in New Jersey to receive an excused absence from school on general election day if they participate in approved election-related activities. Students must provide documentation including a supervisor's signature, activity details, time spent, and proof the activity was nonpartisan (not benefiting one political party). The activity must be organized by a school, nonprofit, or government entity and cannot involve political campaigning, with students receiving no more than $100 in expense reimbursement. School boards may deny the absence for students with below-standard academic performance as defined by the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools with grades 9-12 to have counselors or teachers discuss career opportunities in skilled trades, military service, and agriculture with students and their parents/guardians. Schools must also provide information about military enlistment tests during these discussions. The state education commissioner, working with labor and agriculture officials, must supply schools with resources detailing required education, certifications, or apprenticeships for these career paths. The law applies to all high schools starting the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific THC potency limits for cannabis products sold in New Jersey. It prohibits cannabis retailers from selling cannabis flower with more than 30% THC concentration or solid and liquid cannabis concentrates with more than 60% THC concentration. These limits apply to all cannabis establishments operating under New Jersey's cannabis regulations. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission must adopt rules implementing these limits as part of broader industry safety standards. These changes set clear, measurable safety standards for cannabis products sold in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends fines for minor first-time paperwork errors by small businesses related to state agency reporting. It applies to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees (aligned with federal Small Business Act definitions), excluding violations involving taxes, public safety risks, or uncorrected errors after six months. If a violation poses a public safety danger, the agency may still impose a fine unless the business corrects it within 24 hours. Exceptions include violations causing serious harm, interfering with criminal investigations, or failing to correct errors timely.

Maddy summaryAJR 14 designates October of each year as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities and community programs. The resolution symbolically highlights domestic violence as a statewide issue affecting all New Jersey residents, regardless of age, gender, or background. It does not create new laws, funding, or mandates beyond the annual proclamation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A128) creates a $1,200 annual deduction against New Jersey gross income tax for parents and guardians who purchase qualifying school supplies for students enrolled in public or nonpublic elementary, secondary, or higher education institutions in the state. It specifically covers common items like notebooks, pencils, paper, backpacks, calculators, and other classroom essentials listed in the bill. The deduction applies to purchases made during the taxable year and takes effect immediately upon enactment for the following calendar year. This policy directly affects New Jersey taxpayers with school-aged children by reducing their taxable income for eligible education-related expenses.

Maddy summaryThe Smarter Lunchroom Act requires New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to adopt evidence-based strategies from the Cornell Center's Smarter Lunchroom Movement to improve student nutrition. It directs the Commissioner of Education to support schools in implementing specific, low-cost changes like placing fruits near cash registers, using creative names for vegetables, positioning milk at the front of drink coolers, and featuring nutrient-rich foods first in serving lines. The bill mandates that the Department of Education provide accessible, plain-language information about these strategies on its website, including a self-assessment tool. This affects over 1.37 million students in New Jersey schools who rely on cafeteria meals for breakfast and lunch.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Education to provide assistive technology to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia or related conditions. It requires the Commissioner of Education to award grants to seven selected school districts (representing diverse urban, suburban, and rural areas across different county classifications) to cover the cost of assistive technology devices, services, and teacher training. The technology must help students access grade-level reading materials through text-to-speech tools or complete written assignments more effectively. Participating districts must submit detailed applications showing student needs, technology plans, and how the program will improve academic outcomes. At the program's conclusion, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on participation, impacts, and recommendations for potential statewide implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create and maintain a central database tracking available student openings in Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) programs at participating colleges and universities. The database will show real-time openings to campus EOF directors, improving communication between directors and eligible students seeking placement. Participating institutions must notify the Secretary within one business day when an opening is filled, ensuring the database stays current. If a student cannot secure a spot at their preferred institution, campus EOF directors must provide information about openings at other participating schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (a suction device for clearing airway blockages) placed in accessible locations like cafeterias and nurse offices during school hours and events. Schools must display clear signage marking device locations and develop policies requiring staff training in airway management and device use. The state Department of Education will reimburse schools for device costs and provide annual training opportunities for school nurses and staff. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.