Asm. Shavonda Sumter

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's affirmative action requirements for public works contracts to include workers with disabilities. It amends existing law to define "affirmative action" as good-faith steps ensuring equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, and workers with disabilities (without quotas), and requires contractors to include disability status in workforce data and affirmative action plans. The bill also directs the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to create a recruitment program connecting workers with disabilities (including students and recent graduates) with private employers for summer or permanent jobs. It applies to all public works contractors and subcontractors (except those with fewer than five employees), requiring them to submit disability-inclusive affirmative action programs to the State Treasurer for approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1954) increases the size of New Jersey's Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission from 13 to 17 members, adding the chairs of the Legislative Black Caucus and Legislative Latino Caucus as voting members, plus two additional public members (for a total of four public members, with no more than two from the same political party). It broadens the commission's reporting requirements to include annual reviews of disparities in policing, charging decisions, access to legal defense, and jury selection processes - beyond its existing focus on sentencing outcomes. The commission will continue reviewing New Jersey's criminal sentencing laws to recommend revisions aimed at improving public safety, reducing racial disparities, and enhancing offender rehabilitation. These changes require the commission to submit more comprehensive reports to the Governor and Legislature about potential reforms to the criminal justice system.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's alcohol licensing rules by removing limits on how many plenary retail distribution licenses a single person or business can hold, specifically for stores that primarily sell food or alcohol. Under current law, individuals could only hold up to two retail alcohol licenses, but this bill allows for up to four licenses after two years (with two used in qualifying food stores) and up to six licenses after six years (with four used in qualifying stores). A qualifying food store is defined as one where groceries and food make up at least 65% of annual sales, while a qualifying liquor store must have alcohol sales making up at least 90% of annual sales. Businesses acquiring additional licenses beyond the original two will pay a 10% transfer fee to the municipality, except for stores in urban food deserts. The bill does not increase the total number of licenses a municipality can issue, but rather changes how many licenses one entity can own.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A601 establishes a Division of Advocacy for Developmentally Disabled within the Office of Public Defender. This division will serve as the state's official protection and advocacy agency for people with developmental disabilities, handling complaints, providing legal representation, and ensuring adequate care in state-operated facilities. The bill requires the Public Defender to designate at least one staff attorney per office with expertise in developmental disabilities to represent these clients in criminal cases. It transfers all existing advocacy functions from a private entity to this new public division, effective 180 days after enactment. The measure directly affects developmentally disabled individuals in criminal proceedings and state care facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to submit quarterly reports to the state legislature about residential community release programs, including halfway houses that help inmates transition after prison. The reports must detail specific data such as reimbursement amounts per inmate, inmate demographics (violent vs. non-violent crimes), escape rates, safety measures, and incidents of violence. Additionally, the DOC must annually analyze program effectiveness in reducing recidivism (repeat offenses) and provide improvement recommendations. These requirements aim to increase transparency and inform legislative oversight of reentry programs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A2300 allocates $650,000 in supplemental funding to the Division of State Police specifically for trooper recruitment and retention. The funds will be used to boost salaries for troopers at Step 9 of the existing salary scale under the State Troopers Fraternal Association collective bargaining agreement. This supplemental appropriation supplements the state's 2024 budget (P.L.2023, c.74) and must be distributed per authority granted to the Civil Service Commission. The bill directly affects current troopers at Step 9 by providing targeted salary support to address staffing challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and nonpublic school districts to provide counseling services to student-athletes (or their parents/guardians) who file complaints against coaches or officials during school sports events. Specifically, schools must make school counselors, social workers, or psychologists available to assess emotional impacts from alleged incidents, and refer students to appropriate services if needed. Schools must also notify the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association about such complaints. The law applies to all student-athletes participating in statewide interscholastic sports programs during games, meets, or official competitions. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Community Crisis Response Advisory Council within the Department of Health to develop recommendations for community crisis response programs. It creates a pilot program in Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic Counties to fund community-based crisis response teams that provide non-law enforcement intervention for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, including mental health and substance use issues. The program appropriates $10 million, with grants up to $2 million per municipality for eligible community-based organizations that partner with harm reduction centers and meet specific community engagement criteria. The pilot requires annual reporting on program status and a final report after three years with recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects municipalities in the five counties, community-based organizations, and individuals experiencing behavioral health crises who would receive alternative crisis response services instead of law enforcement involvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law to enhance notice requirements and occupancy restrictions when a potentially hazardous condition is identified in hotels or multiple dwellings. A potentially hazardous condition is defined as an imminent health, safety, or welfare risk, or a deteriorating condition that could become an imminent hazard before the next scheduled inspection. If a violation is deemed potentially hazardous, the commissioner must send written notice with large, easily readable text to municipal officials and property owners, and owners must provide hard copies to residents and post notices in conspicuous locations like lobbies and near elevators. Additionally, owners cannot enter new leases for affected units until the hazard is resolved and a certificate of inspection is issued.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A613 requires publicly traded corporations with their principal office in the state to appoint women to their boards of directors. By December 31, 2023, all such corporations must have at least one female director; by December 31, 2025, requirements increase based on board size (e.g., three women for boards of six or more directors). Corporations must annually report director demographics to the Secretary of State and face fines of $100,000 for first violations and $300,000 for repeat failures to meet quotas. The bill aims to increase gender diversity in corporate leadership through mandatory representation standards.