Asm. Shavonda Sumter

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1952) requires all members, officers, and employees of the New Jersey Legislature to complete annual implicit bias and cultural competency training. It mandates an online tutorial by April 1 of every even-numbered year, plus additional annual in-person training directed by legislative leadership. Certifications of completion must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel and become public records. The training aims to help legislative staff recognize unconscious biases and improve interactions across diverse cultures. This applies to all legislative branch personnel, including district office staff.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2773 requires domestic violence offenders to surrender firearms and have their firearm permits revoked upon conviction or when a restraining order is issued. It mandates courts to order immediate firearm surrender within 5 business days, allowing 10 days for licensed dealers to take possession of surrendered firearms. Law enforcement must properly store surrendered firearms and may charge defendants for storage costs. The bill also requires courts to search domestic violence records before issuing restraining orders to check for firearm ownership and ensures records are cross-referenced to prevent offenders from retaining firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special New Jersey license plates supporting Autism Awareness. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with the additional funds going to a special fund. The fund, managed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, supports autism research and treatment programs. The program requires 500 initial applications and a $25,000 contribution from autism advocacy groups before implementation, and will expire if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Baby Bond Account Program, which deposits $2,000 into individual accounts for eligible infants born on or after January 1, 2021. Eligibility is limited to infants born to families with household income not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level who establish New Jersey residency within six months of birth. The accounts, managed by a Baby Bond Account Board, can be used for post-secondary education, primary home purchase, business capitalization, or other wealth-building investments after age 18, with limited exceptions for education expenses. The program appropriates $70 million from the General Fund to establish the fund and requires economic literacy training for families to help them manage these accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who pay for care of qualifying elderly relatives. It allows eligible caregivers to claim 22.5% of up to $3,000 in qualified care expenses (such as home health services, adult day care, or home modifications) paid for a senior family member who is 60+ (or 50+ with Social Security Disability) and meets income requirements. To qualify, caregivers must have gross income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filing statuses), and the credit is refundable - meaning it can be paid as cash if it exceeds tax liability. The credit applies to expenses not reimbursed by insurance or government programs and is in addition to any dependent deductions claimed.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates driver's license suspensions for unpaid parking tickets but requires vehicle registration suspension after five or more unpaid parking tickets or failure to appear for five parking violations. It mandates a 30-day notice period before registration suspension takes effect, allowing drivers time to resolve violations with the municipal court. The policy directly affects New Jersey drivers with multiple unresolved parking citations, aiming to prevent license loss while maintaining registration consequences for repeated nonpayment. The change applies to all municipal court cases involving parking fines, with provisions for payment plans or resolution before suspension.