Asm. Shavonda Sumter

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child care subsidy program to cover families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $83,250 for a family of four in 2022), up from the current 200% limit ($55,500 for a family of four). It requires the state to establish at least four income tiers for determining eligibility and co-payment amounts, and appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund for implementation. The bill also ensures subsidy rates for child care - especially for school-aged children during school breaks - do not fall below pandemic-era levels ($83,250 for a family of four in 2022). This directly affects low- and moderate-income families with children under 13 who need subsidized child care services.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1143 establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental disability service programs. The COLA, based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI) from October 1 to September 30 (as published by the U.S. Department of Labor), must be included in state contracts for these programs starting on the bill's effective date. This applies to all state-funded programs - whether fully or partially Medicaid-funded - that are licensed or approved by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Department must announce the annual COLA rate each October 1, ensuring service providers receive regular inflation-based funding increases.

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 requires New Jersey's annual State Debt Report to include a detailed debt affordability analysis. It mandates the Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning to assess the state's ability to afford additional debt through metrics like debt service payments relative to revenues, debt per capita, and comparisons to other states' debt ratios. The analysis must cover all state debt types - including general obligations, transportation authority debt, retirement liabilities, and capital leases - and include revenue estimates for the next decade. State agencies, independent authorities, and debt-issuing entities must provide necessary data to complete this assessment. The goal is to provide policymakers with data-driven insights for responsible debt management decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A595) protects the personal information of specific healthcare workers who are assaulted by patients or residents at healthcare facilities. It requires that the name and address of these victims be redacted from court documents, reports, and other public records if the assault occurred during their work. Violating this confidentiality - by disclosing the information without court authorization - triggers a $100 civil penalty per document. The law directly affects healthcare workers employed at licensed facilities, licensed healthcare professionals, and direct care workers at psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Center within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities and creates an Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund. The fund will be financed with revenues from the societal benefits charge collected from electric and gas utility customers to support clean energy research, workforce training, and job creation. The Center will provide loans and loan guarantees to clean energy companies, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits to stimulate clean energy ventures and workforce development. The bill specifically prioritizes programs that create economic opportunities for low and moderate-income communities in the clean energy sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and licensed birthing centers offering maternity services in New Jersey to create and maintain written policies allowing patients to choose their own doula for support before, during, and after childbirth. Facilities must share these policies with healthcare providers, patients, and post a summary visibly in patient rooms and on their website within 180 days of the law taking effect. Each facility must also designate a staff liaison to connect with doulas and organizations regarding these policies. The law directly affects maternity care facilities and patients seeking doula support during childbirth.