Asm. Gary Schaer

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures victims of sexual offenses (12 years or older) have the right to a rape care advocate present during medical exams, law enforcement interviews, and legal proceedings. It requires first responding police officers and medical providers to immediately notify designated county rape crisis centers (contracted with the Division on Women) whenever a sexual offense is reported. Victims must be informed by the advocate about their right to have the advocate present and confer with them before and during medical examinations, interviews, or legal contacts. The bill applies to all sexual offenses defined under New Jersey law, including sexual assault and criminal sexual contact.

Maddy summaryThe Immigrant Tenant Protection Act prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or disclosing a tenant's immigration status to force them to leave, and from evicting tenants based solely or partially on that status (except when complying with federal rent assistance programs). Tenants who face such violations can sue for up to $2,000 per violation, attorney fees, and other remedies. The bill also makes immigration status irrelevant in housing rights cases, blocking courts from inquiring into it during legal proceedings unless directly contested by the tenant or required by federal law. It creates an affirmative defense for tenants in eviction cases where the action is based on immigration status or failure to provide documents like a social security number after the tenant was approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipal recreation departments and nonprofit youth organizations (like Little Leagues, soccer clubs, and police athletic leagues) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) available on-site at all youth athletic events and practices held on public fields. It applies to events organized, sponsored, or affiliated with these entities on municipal, county, school, or publicly-owned fields, effective September 1, 2020. Organizations can comply by either having an AED on-site or ensuring a certified first responder with an AED is present. The bill also grants liability protection to these organizations and their staff for acquiring and using AEDs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2016) makes assault, stalking, and harassment against elected public officials and their immediate family members a third-degree crime in New Jersey, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. It expands existing protections by adding officials and their family to the list of protected individuals under assault law, where such crimes were previously only aggravated assault for other specific professions. The bill requires the State Police and local police to provide protective services to affected officials and their families on a case-by-case basis. It defines "immediate family" to include spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, parents, siblings, children, and stepchildren. The bill was introduced following an assault against the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, health plans, and state health benefit programs (including SHBP and SEHBP) to cover specific antiretroviral drug regimens for HIV/AIDS treatment. It mandates coverage for single-tablet regimens when equally effective as multi-tablet regimens, and for multi-tablet regimens when clinically equivalent or more effective with better patient adherence (after peer review by infectious disease specialists). Insurers must complete prior authorization requests within 14 days or automatically approve them. The law applies to all relevant health plans, including individual and group policies, and requires coverage at the same level as for other medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers administration of all school meal programs in New Jersey from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education. It covers programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and emergency meal distributions, which provide nutritious meals to students and children in childcare settings. The transfer includes all related functions, funding, staff, records, and existing rules (which remain in effect until replaced by the Department of Education). The change aims to align program management with the Department of Education’s mission of supporting student academic success through school-based services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public lead exposure from contaminated soil and drinking water. The DEP must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing results, and other relevant information to identify high-risk geographic areas, prioritize public funding for soil and water remediation, and develop a public education program about lead health risks. The plan must be updated every five years and made publicly available online. It directly affects DEP operations and aims to protect residents in communities with lead contamination.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's bias intimidation law by adding computer criminal activity, initiating false alarms, and cyber-harassment to the list of offenses that qualify as bias intimidation. It removes an unconstitutional provision from current law that was struck down by the New Jersey Supreme Court in State v. Pomianek. The bill establishes additional penalties for bias intimidation convictions, ranging from $250 to $2,000 depending on the severity, with these funds going to a new "Bias Crime Prevention Fund" to support investigations, community response, and educational programs about bias crimes. It also creates a mechanism for victims to receive treble compensatory damages if they prove harm was caused by bias intimidation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of candy containing intentionally added lead, mercury, or cadmium (beyond natural levels of 100 parts per million), or candy wrappers containing these metals. It directly affects candy manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who must certify their products are compliant and keep records available for public review. The bill establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 for first-time manufacturer violations and $1,000 for first-time retailer violations, with higher penalties for repeat offenses. The Department of Health gains authority to inspect facilities, collect samples, and enforce compliance, with collected penalties funding enforcement efforts through a dedicated "Reduction of Adulterated Candy Enforcement Fund."

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials in public and nonpublic schools. The training covers topics including gender/sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disabilities, religious tolerance, unconscious bias, and diversity. Coaches and athletic directors must complete the training every four years, with new hires required to complete it in their first year. Sports officials must certify completion when applying to officiating associations and renew every four years. The program must be developed with input from the Division on Civil Rights.