Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to follow specific steps when a student's meal bill is unpaid. Districts must first try to enroll students in free or reduced-price meal programs before notifying parents, and include meal program applications with any notice. It prohibits schools from shaming students (e.g., making them wait in line) or threatening child protective services over unpaid bills. Districts must report twice a year on how many students are denied meals due to unpaid bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts with middle or high schools to create a food services advisory committee to develop meal options reflecting students' cultural, traditional, and dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan choices. The committee - comprising students, parents, school staff, and potentially a school nurse - must meet at least three times yearly and consider budget, equipment, and nutrition when recommending menu changes. Districts must first survey all middle/high school students about unmet food preferences via a written form (also available online), and the committee requirement may be waived if no preferences are reported or current options satisfy students. However, if students request vegetarian or vegan meals, districts must make reasonable efforts to add them, and all new menu items must meet federal nutrition standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to establish a "School Meal Fund" to accept public donations that help students pay for school breakfasts or lunches or clear past-due meal bills. The fund must be managed in a separate bank account with strict financial controls, equitable distribution policies, and annual audits. School districts must inform parents, guardians, and the community about the fund and donation process through written materials and their website, unless they already provide free meals to all students under federal eligibility programs. The fund’s purpose is strictly limited to assisting students with meal costs, with no other uses permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to remove the automatic disqualification from jury service for individuals with prior convictions of serious crimes (indictable offenses), except for convictions of murder or aggravated sexual assault. It allows people who have completed their sentences for other serious crimes to be considered for jury duty, provided they meet standard qualifications like U.S. citizenship and county residency. The bill does not affect those currently incarcerated for serious crimes, who remain disqualified. This update expands the pool of potential jurors by including more people with past criminal records, while maintaining specific exclusions for the most severe offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and related crimes for both adults and juveniles. For adults convicted of motor vehicle theft, it mandates a minimum 180-day prison sentence for a first offense (no parole) and one year for subsequent offenses. Juveniles face 30 days in custody for a first offense, 60 days plus a nonresidential program for a second offense, and six months plus such a program for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also imposes stricter penalties on adults who use minors to commit these crimes, requiring 6-12 months for a first offense and 5+ years for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to study within 60 days whether it can replace its paper-based vehicle lien and title system with an electronic one. If the MVC can implement the system, it must do so within 12 months; if not, it must contract with a qualified vendor under terms ensuring the state incurs no costs, the vendor covers implementation expenses, and the vendor may charge lienholders reasonable fees. Within one year of the system's launch, most lienholders (such as banks and lenders) must use the electronic system, with exemptions for individuals and non-commercial lienholders. The bill also mandates that vendors must have prior experience providing similar electronic services to state motor vehicle agencies and lienholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from issuing arrest warrants for unpaid fines or fees related to non-moving traffic violations (like parking tickets or equipment violations that don’t add points to a driver’s license). It directly affects residents who owe money for these specific traffic tickets, preventing arrest warrants from being issued solely due to non-payment. The law defines "non-moving violations" as those not assessed with motor vehicle points under existing law (N.J.S.A. 39:5-30.5). Existing warrants issued before this law’s effective date for such violations are voided. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits towing companies in New Jersey from charging owners of stolen vehicles a fee to release their vehicles from storage facilities. Owners must provide a copy of the stolen vehicle police report to the towing company and are given 72 hours to retrieve the vehicle without any fee after being notified by law enforcement. If the vehicle isn't retrieved within 72 hours, towing companies may charge a storage fee for the extra days, but this fee must be paid directly by the vehicle's insurance company or, if uninsured, by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - not the owner. The law aims to prevent financial barriers for stolen vehicle recovery while clarifying payment responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to apply for federal waivers to cover menstrual hygiene products (like tampons, pads, and cups) under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP (food stamps), and WIC programs. If the federal government denies the waiver, DHS must establish a state-funded benefit using $2 million from the General Fund, with eligibility determined through a household certification process for minors. The law mandates an educational campaign to inform program participants about the new benefit and applies to anyone enrolled in these specific public assistance programs who menstruates. The $2 million appropriation is contingent solely on federal denial of the waiver request.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to collect data on Haitian migrants in the state, regardless of their immigration status. It directs the Commissioner to gather this information from federal, state, local governments, and non-profit organizations to better understand the population needing assistance. The bill aims to help the state support Haitian migrants who have fled political instability and financial hardship, including those who arrived unannounced or without family support. The data collection will inform how the state can more efficiently provide aid to this community.