Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Early Childhood as a principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch. It transfers numerous early childhood-related responsibilities from the Departments of Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health to this new department. The transfer includes programs for children from pregnancy through age eight, such as preschool education, child care services, home visitation programs, and early intervention services. The bill specifies the structure of the new department, including the role of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, and requires coordination among existing departments for an orderly transition of programs and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2996) provides a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retired public employees and their beneficiaries in New Jersey. It applies to retirees or beneficiaries receiving monthly payments from the Teachers' Pension Fund (TPAF), Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), Judicial Retirement System (JRS), or State Police Retirement System (SPRS) whose benefits are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for a single-person household. The adjustment equals 100% of the Consumer Price Index change (instead of the previous 60%), effective January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024. The state will fund these increases through appropriations from the General Fund for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most landlords in New Jersey to notify tenants if work on adjacent properties (such as construction or demolition) might cause damage or hazards to their rental unit, or if the landlord plans to conduct such work themselves. Landlords must provide written notice within five business days of receiving written notice about the work, using mail, posted notices, or electronic delivery. Failure to provide this notice could result in a penalty of up to $200 per offense, enforced through local courts. The requirement does not apply to landlords of small properties (e.g., owner-occupied homes with two or fewer units) or certain seasonal rentals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill would allow individuals on suspended sentences, probation, or parole to have their supervision period reduced by 30 days for each full calendar month they comply with all conditions of their sentence. The reduction applies to most offenders who have no violations, but excludes those convicted of serious offenses like sexual assault of minors, child endangerment, or certain kidnapping offenses. Courts would review compliance at least every six months, and the state would track how these reductions affect recidivism rates through new reports. The bill aims to incentivize compliance with supervision conditions while providing data on whether this approach reduces reoffending.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 15-member Core Curriculum Content Standards Advisory Council to guide revisions of New Jersey's K-12 curriculum standards. The council, appointed from K-12 education, higher education, business, and including parent/student representatives, will establish subject-specific subcommittees. Each subcommittee reviews existing standards, gathers public feedback via online surveys and hearings, examines other states' standards, and recommends updates. Revised standards must undergo a 60-day public comment period and a public hearing before being submitted to the State Board of Education for adoption. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools, teachers, students, and parents through the curriculum revision process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs in New Jersey to gradually expand free lunch eligibility over a five-year period, eventually providing free lunch to all students regardless of income or federal eligibility. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, schools must provide free lunch to students from families with incomes between 186-199% of the federal poverty level, with the income threshold increasing each year until all students qualify by the 2028-2029 school year. The state would provide funding to school districts to cover the costs of serving free lunch to students who are federally ineligible but meet the income criteria. The bill also includes reporting requirements for schools to track eligibility and income levels of students receiving free lunch, and mandates that schools take steps to minimize program costs while maintaining nutritional standards.

Maddy summaryACR 103 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution condemning a proposed federal rule by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The rule would require mixed-status families (households with both immigration-status-eligible and ineligible members in federally-subsidized housing) to either separate or face eviction within 18 months after immigration status screening. HUD analysis indicates this could displace over 55,000 children, including U.S. citizens, and increase costs by millions while potentially reducing housing quality and quantity. The resolution urges federal leaders to invest in affordable housing instead of implementing this rule, which would create administrative burdens for housing providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A563) amends New Jersey law to classify disclosing a domestic violence or sexual assault victim's personal information as a second-degree crime, regardless of the monetary value involved. It directly affects public servants (like law enforcement or government employees) who might improperly share such sensitive details. The key change removes the current $200 threshold that would downgrade similar misconduct to a third-degree crime if the benefit was minor. Under this bill, any disclosure of victim information would automatically be treated as a more serious second-degree offense, carrying penalties of 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for domestic violence offenders in New Jersey. It adds a new $1,500 civil penalty (payable in $500 annual installments over three years) and raises the surcharge for domestic violence convictions from $100 to $500. All funds from these new penalties and the increased surcharge will flow into the newly created "Domestic Violence Victims' Legal Assistance Fund." The fund will provide direct legal services, medical advocacy, referrals, and community education to domestic violence victims through designated organizations. The bill affects domestic violence offenders (who pay the penalties) and victims (who receive enhanced legal support services).

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.