Asm. Gary Schaer

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and private school buildings in New Jersey to install carbon monoxide detectors meeting Underwriters Laboratories standard 2034, unless a hazard assessment determines no risk exists. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must create rules for detector placement and hazard evaluations, and school construction permits must include detector provisions. Local authorities may charge fees to cover inspection costs for compliance, but fees cannot exceed actual inspection expenses. The law amends existing fire safety and construction code regulations to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care professionals (such as doctors, midwives, and nurse practitioners) providing prenatal care to assess pregnant people for lead exposure risks and conduct blood lead screening when indicated. If a pregnant person has an elevated blood lead level, the professional must notify them in writing, explain the health risks of lead poisoning in plain language, and ensure children or household members under six are screened. The bill allows for written patient refusal of screening or if another provider has already completed the test. Laboratory results must be reported to health departments within five business days, with all data kept confidential and anonymized statistics used for public health purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of children a registered family day care provider may care for from five to ten at one time. It directly affects family day care providers who operate from their homes and are registered under New Jersey's Family Day Care Provider Registration Act. The key mechanism is amending the definition of "family day care home" to allow up to ten children, while requiring providers caring for more than five children to have at least one additional trained person present. This change updates existing registration rules without altering other licensing requirements for these providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's FY2026 state budget to add $496,000 to the Supplemental Graduate Medical Education (GME) Subsidy, enabling funding for a 15th acute care hospital meeting specific Medicaid revenue criteria. The subsidy currently supports the 14 hospitals with the highest Relative Medicaid Percentage (RMP) - calculated from 2023 cost reports - based on revenue from Medicaid patients. The new funding allocates exactly $496,000 to the 15th hospital ranked by RMP, without changing payments to the existing 14 hospitals. This adjustment aligns the budget with a 2018 law requiring subsidies to cover hospitals in the top third of all acute care hospitals with residency programs, now applicable to 15 hospitals out of 45 total.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects SCNFs providing specialized long-term care to children and youth up to age 21 who require medical services beyond standard nursing care. Facilities must comply with state and federal regulations on licensure, patient safety, and care quality to qualify for this rate. The state will appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover the increased reimbursement costs, and the Department of Human Services must seek necessary federal approvals for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to offer multiple application options for state-administered housing, shelter, and rental assistance programs - such as Section 8 housing assistance and the State rental assistance program - instead of limiting applicants to online submissions alone. It mandates that applicants must be able to apply via mail, email, in-person delivery, or fax, where federal law permits. The bill directly affects individuals seeking housing aid through DCA programs, removing a potential barrier for those without reliable internet access. Key provisions ensure accessibility by requiring DCA to implement these alternative application methods, with implementation beginning three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. It mandates redirecting unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security programs like soup kitchens and pantries, while ensuring all food safety standards are met during handling and transfer. Each institution must also submit annual reports on their food donations to the Governor and Legislature, posting them publicly online. The law applies directly to every public higher education campus in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. These programs must redirect unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security groups like soup kitchens and pantries, while following food safety standards. Each institution must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing their contributions and post these reports online. The law applies directly to every public higher education campus in New Jersey, aiming to reduce waste and support community food needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of cosmetics, carpets, and fabric treatments containing intentionally added PFAS (forever chemicals) starting two years after enactment. It also requires cookware manufacturers to notify consumers if their products contain PFAS. The law directly affects manufacturers of these consumer goods and aims to reduce human exposure to PFAS, which accumulate in the environment and are linked to health issues like cancer. The bill mandates state-funded research and educational programs about PFAS to protect public health.