Asm. Shavonda Sumter

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities through labor organizations. The program requires labor unions to identify job pathways in their trades and develop plans for hiring returning citizens, directly benefiting individuals recently released from prison who face high barriers to employment. It aims to reduce recidivism by addressing a key factor cited in the bill: the lack of viable jobs for this population, which correlates with higher reoffending rates. The program operates under the State Employment and Training Commission and mandates consultation with labor organizations to create sustainable career opportunities. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and the New Jersey Board of Nursing to provide homemaker-home health aide and nursing assistant certification exams in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Tagalog. It directly affects individuals seeking these certifications, particularly non-English speakers who may face language barriers during testing. The law mandates that both written and oral exams be available in these languages to ensure accessibility. The agencies can adopt additional rules under existing administrative procedures to implement this requirement, which takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling to administer professional license examinations in English and the four most commonly spoken languages in the state (other than English), instead of only English with optional Spanish for practicing licensees. It directly affects cosmetology applicants and license holders seeking to take or renew their licenses. The key provision mandates the Division of Consumers Affairs to post these four languages on its website and verify them every five years. The bill does not change current requirements for Spanish or translator assistance but expands language options based on statewide demographics.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3366 establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Program within the Department of Health to identify and support patients with symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires the Department to contract with healthcare providers for screenings, referrals, and follow-up care; provide education for medical staff and the public; and maintain an online resource hub with clinical guidelines and patient materials. It directly affects women experiencing symptoms like severe pelvic pain, irregular periods, infertility, or other menstrual disorder indicators linked to these conditions. The bill mandates standardized data collection for quality assurance while keeping patient information confidential, as required by law. This initiative aims to improve early identification and care for millions of women impacted by these common, long-term health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Health (DOH) to create and update annual guidelines for school districts and colleges on implementing student vaping awareness campaigns. The guidelines must include research-backed materials about vaping's health effects (lung damage, mental health, pregnancy risks), peer pressure strategies, and age-appropriate anti-vaping resources like pamphlets. Schools and colleges would use these guidelines to develop multi-level campaigns targeting adolescents and young adults, focusing on healthy decision-making. The DOE and DOH must post the guidelines online and link to additional anti-vaping resources for schools and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's legal terminology by replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) throughout state statutes. The change affects multiple sections of law including those related to crimes, sex offender registration, employment disqualifications, and educational programs. The purpose is to use more accurate language that reflects the reality of these crimes and avoids implying consent from victims. The sponsor states this terminology update is not intended to change the substance of the law, but to make the language more consistent with current understanding and international standards. The bill corrects technical inconsistencies in existing statutes while maintaining the same legal protections and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4827) requires New Jersey hospitals and medical offices to create written plans for managing medical waste, based on best practices developed by the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The plans must include guidelines for personal protective equipment use, clear waste-sorting methods with visual signage, and instructions for correctly identifying waste at its source. Hospitals and medical offices must also train relevant employees on implementing these plans. The requirements take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires State Contract Managers to monitor subcontractors on New Jersey state contracts who are certified businesses (such as minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, or LGBTQ+-owned businesses). It mandates that Contract Managers ensure these subcontractors perform work within their certified expertise areas and document any deviations. If prime contractors stop using a certified business, Contract Managers must obtain a formal explanation. Quarterly reports detailing mismatches must be submitted to the Chief Diversity Officer, including contractor names and descriptions of work outside certified expertise. The bill directly affects state agencies, prime contractors, and certified businesses participating in state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3577) provides a tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax for businesses developing anaerobic digestion facilities that process specific types of food waste. The credit covers up to 50% of development costs or $250,000 per facility, whichever is lower, with a total statewide cap of $15 million across all qualifying facilities. To qualify, businesses must apply for certification proving the facility processes defined food waste (excluding donated food or consumer waste) and submit cost documentation to the Environmental Protection Commissioner. The credit is available for six years and requires a report on the program's effectiveness after six years.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state agencies to provide certified business enterprises with up to 10% of a contract’s value as an advance payment before work begins. It directly affects certified small, minority/women-owned, LGBTQ+, veteran, and disadvantaged-owned businesses that bid on state contracts but lack upfront capital. Contractors must request the advance in their bid, share it proportionally with certified subcontractors within 60 days, and repay if they fail to start or complete the work. The Division of Revenue Business Certification Program in the Treasury Department determines eligibility for these certifications.