Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryAJR 79 is a ceremonial resolution (not a binding law) that designates the last weekend in October as "Honor Your Hometown Weekend" in New Jersey. It would have asked the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging residents, communities, and businesses to celebrate their hometowns through local events. The resolution also requested the Governor to urge Congress and the President to establish a similar national observance. This measure was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as part of P.L.2025, JR-14, meaning it did not become law. It had no direct policy impact or funding changes - only symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the state's Science, Innovation and Technology Commission, to study how artificial intelligence affects the state's economy. The study must examine AI's impact on high-skill professions (like doctors and data analysts), industries most affected, implications for workforce education, emerging new jobs, and AI's effect on productivity and economic growth. Within one year of the bill's effective date, the Commissioner must submit a written report to the Governor and specific legislative committees detailing these findings. The bill does not make policy changes but mandates this study to inform future decisions about workforce development and economic planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents county election officials from updating a voter's political party affiliation after the deadline for primary elections (55 days before the primary). It requires officials to notify voters within five business days if they submit a party change after the deadline, explaining that the change isn't processed, they remain affiliated with their previous party, and they can vote in that party's primary. Voters denied voting in their preferred primary due to registration errors can cast a provisional ballot and seek court review; if a court confirms they were lawfully affiliated with the desired party before the deadline, the ballot is counted. The bill directly affects voters seeking to change party affiliation after the deadline and county election officials managing voter registrations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts or contracted transportation providers in New Jersey to maintain at least one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on any bus transporting such students, including mixed buses with general education students. It defines "special needs" as students eligible for special education services under federal law, excluding those classified solely for "specific learning disability." The requirement applies immediately upon enactment and takes effect for the first full school year after the bill becomes law. The bill directly affects school transportation providers and ensures consistent aide staffing for students requiring specialized support during bus transit.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 2080 requires the Attorney General to create an anonymous reporting program for school safety threats. The program will allow students, parents, school staff, and community members to report unsafe, violent, or criminal activities in schools via a phone line, mobile app, or other accessible methods, with strict privacy protections to keep reporters' identities confidential. It mandates training for schools and law enforcement on the program and requires annual reports tracking total reports, reporting methods, misuse instances, and outcomes. The program applies to all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey, with the Attorney General submitting annual reports to the Governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school teachers to complete two hours of cultural competence training every two years as part of their professional development. The training must cover topics like personal awareness, classroom microaggressions, and implicit bias to help teachers better support students from diverse backgrounds. The State Board of Education must integrate this requirement into existing rules that already mandate 20 hours of annual professional development for teachers. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires State-funded construction projects (carried out by state, county, or municipal entities) to use plastic construction materials containing at least 10% postconsumer recycled content for the first two years after enactment, increasing to 15% thereafter. Plastic construction materials are defined as those made of over 50% plastic by cost. Exemptions apply if compliant materials would raise project costs by 25% or are unavailable for the intended use. The bill aims to increase recycled content in construction without imposing undue financial burdens. (Note: This bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.308.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 439) changes how interest is calculated for property owners when their land is taken through eminent domain in New Jersey. It replaces a fixed interest rate with one based on the final just compensation award amount. This directly affects property owners whose land is acquired by government authorities (like municipalities or agencies) under eminent domain. The key provision requires compensation interest to align with the actual final settlement value, rather than using a predetermined rate. The bill amends existing law to implement this change in compensation calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance policies in New Jersey - covering hospital, medical, and individual/group plans - to cover diagnosis and treatment for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, as prescribed by a physician. Insurance plans must provide this coverage "to the same extent as for any other condition," meaning no additional cost-sharing or limitations beyond standard coverage. The requirement applies to all relevant policies renewed or issued in New Jersey after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to reimburse hospitals for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs at the same rate used for outpatient settings, rather than including these costs in standard hospital payment systems. It directly affects inpatient hospitals and providers who administer these drugs for conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The key change ensures hospitals receive payment based on the actual drug cost (like outpatient settings) instead of a fixed hospital payment rate that doesn't account for expensive medications. The bill also allows qualified pharmacists to administer these drugs under a prescriber's order, with state board oversight.