Asm. Carmen Morales

Maddy summaryThis bill changes when homeowners' associations in New Jersey transfer control from developers to unit owners. It specifies that control must shift 60 days after 75% of units are sold or two years after construction is substantially complete, whichever occurs first. This prevents developers from delaying the transfer of control by halting construction of additional units. The bill requires developers to relinquish control and provide all association documents, assets, and funds to unit owners at the time of transfer. It applies to condominiums and planned unit developments across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Pathway to Nursing Scholarship Program" to address New Jersey's nursing shortage. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to develop a scholarship program for healthcare workers seeking to become nurses, appropriating $1 million from the General Fund. The program will award 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to eligible applicants who are New Jersey residents, currently or previously worked in healthcare, enrolled in an approved nursing program, and commit to working as nurses after graduation. The scholarships aim to increase the number of trained nurses by incentivizing career transitions within the healthcare sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement a "complete streets" policy for all new or rebuilt public highways and transportation projects. The policy must specifically include design elements that help people with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual or developmental disabilities travel independently. The DOT must also develop universal design concepts and guidance to integrate these accessibility features into planning, construction, and maintenance. Additionally, the DOT must encourage local governments receiving state transportation funding to adopt similar inclusive policies.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public database managed by the NJ Business Action Center (Department of State) listing vacant commercial spaces available for lease or purchase by small businesses. It requires commercial property owners to report vacancies or occupancy changes monthly, with the database including details like square footage, capital equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). The database will be updated monthly using data from property owners, realtors, and municipalities, and made accessible online with targeted outreach to business associations and chambers of commerce. The goal is to reduce the time and cost for small businesses to find suitable commercial space by centralizing vacancy information.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover hair headpieces (human or artificial) worn to conceal scalp hair loss caused by chemotherapy for cancer patients. It applies to hospital, medical, health service, and individual/group health plans, as well as HMOs. Coverage is mandatory only when a treating physician provides a written recommendation that the headpiece is medically necessary, and it follows the same rules as existing coverage for other prostheses. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires adult corrections officers working in New Jersey state facilities to complete an additional in-service training program after finishing their initial basic training. The Commissioner of Corrections must develop this program (with input from the Police Training Commission) based on a needs assessment and following American Correctional Association standards, tailoring it to officers' experience levels. It directly affects all state-appointed adult corrections officers who have completed basic training, mandating they successfully finish this new program. The training aims to enhance officer skills and safety through structured, experience-based learning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities and pipeline operators in New Jersey to reimburse municipalities for costs incurred during pipeline emergencies (excluding natural disasters, such as leaks causing immediate danger to life or property). It mandates reimbursement for paid emergency personnel at their hourly wage rate and for volunteers at the federal assistance program rate, with all costs barred from being passed on to utility customers. The bill also permits courts to award reasonable attorney fees to municipalities in successful legal claims against utilities for emergency-related financial losses. These provisions apply specifically to public utilities under the Board of Public Utilities and pipeline operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1369, "Addi's Law") amends New Jersey law to allow termination of a parent's rights if they are convicted of murdering the child's other parent, or aiding/abetting such a crime. It directly affects parents convicted of these offenses and their children, requiring the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to file termination petitions in these cases. The key mechanism updates existing law to include the child's other parent as a protected party, previously only covering offenses against the child themselves. The bill also permits DCPP to consider whether the parent was a domestic violence victim or acting in self-defense before filing, adding a safety check to the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords or property owners to notify residential tenants about development hearings on their property. Specifically, it mandates that notice be delivered to each tenant at least 10 days before the hearing via one of three methods: personal delivery, certified mail to the tenant's known address, or posting in a conspicuous interior common area (if no common area exists, posting isn't an option). The property owner must certify to the municipal agency that all tenants received notice before a development application can be approved. This directly affects residential tenants in buildings where development projects are being considered.