Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill, the "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act," prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or disclosing tenants' immigration status to force them to leave, or using that status as a reason to evict. It directly protects residential tenants, especially immigrant and undocumented residents, by banning such discriminatory practices in housing. Key provisions include allowing tenants to sue landlords for violations (with damages up to $2,000 per incident), preventing courts from questioning immigration status in housing cases unless directly relevant to a tenant’s claim, and making it harder for landlords to use immigration status as an eviction reason. The law amends existing tenant protection laws to explicitly shield tenants from housing discrimination based on immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 61) urges the U.S. Congress to pass two specific voting rights bills: the "Freedom to Vote Act" and the "John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act." It directly addresses federal lawmakers, requesting action to strengthen voting protections after recent state-level restrictions on voter access. The resolution highlights New Jersey's own efforts to increase voting access (like online registration) and notes rising national trends of restrictive voting laws and threats to election integrity. It is a non-binding request sent to congressional leaders, emphasizing the need for federal action to update voting rights protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continuous Medicaid coverage for long-term care services when beneficiaries are waiting to enroll in a managed care organization (MCO). It requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover eligible services - provided by assisted living residences, personal care homes, or adult family care providers - through the traditional "fee-for-service" system during the enrollment gap. Coverage begins on the date an individual is determined clinically and financially eligible for Medicaid long-term care services and ends when their MCO enrollment becomes effective. This policy, which codifies existing Medicaid practice, prevents payment interruptions for facilities serving Medicaid-eligible residents awaiting MCO enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the title of the "Chief Diversity Officer" to "Chief Supplier Development Officer" within the Department of the Treasury and creates the New Jersey Office of Supplier Development and Business Opportunities. It requires all state agencies and contracting units to collect and report detailed procurement data - including contract awards to certified businesses like minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises - to this office. The office will analyze the data, monitor compliance with contracting goals, provide training to agencies, and develop a cloud-based system to track contracts. This directly affects state agencies responsible for purchasing goods/services and certified businesses seeking state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1381) proposes to expand New Jersey's cyber-harassment law to make it a more serious offense when an adult (18 or older) harasses a minor online, removing the previous requirement that the offender must impersonate a minor. The key change clarifies that targeting minors online with threats, lewd content, or criminal threats becomes a third-degree crime (with potential 3-5 year prison time), while other cyber-harassment remains a less severe fourth-degree offense. It also requires courts to order minors convicted of cyber-harassment to complete educational programs about online safety, and imposes fines on parents who fail to ensure their minor complies with these court orders. The bill aims to strengthen protections for minors by broadening criminal penalties and adding accountability for both offenders and parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water suppliers in New Jersey to immediately notify local governments and schools whenever a serious drinking water violation occurs under federal EPA rules. Specifically, suppliers must contact municipal officials and school administrators (including charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges) via phone and email within the affected area. The notification must detail the contaminant, test results, locations of violations, and suggested remedies for affected customers. It applies to all public water systems and ensures transparency about water safety issues impacting communities and educational institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $3 million in state funding to New Jersey's Division on Civil Rights specifically for upgrading the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS). The system tracks bias crimes reported by state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. The funding ensures consistent and uniform reporting of bias incidents across all law enforcement levels. This is a procedural appropriation (not a new policy), directly supporting the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies to document bias crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1415) prohibits debt collectors from reviving time-barred consumer debt claims after the six-year statute of limitations expires. It specifically blocks the revival of claims based on subsequent payments, debt acknowledgments, or promises to pay made after the six-year filing deadline. The law applies to debts incurred for personal, family, or household purposes - including medical debt and consumer credit - as defined by existing New Jersey law. This directly affects consumers whose debts would otherwise be "renewed" through minor interactions with collectors after the legal deadline. The bill eliminates a legal loophole allowing debt collection to restart through actions like partial payments, which courts previously permitted under case law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1530) requires railroad operators of "dangerous hazardous trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of specific hazardous substances like anhydrous ammonia) to maintain a minimum of two crew members and clearly display the railroad company name. Exceptions apply for mechanical assistance, tourist trains, yard moves, or small operations with ≤15 employees operating at ≤15 mph. It directly affects railroad companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials, aiming to improve safety through crew staffing and identification. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.300.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 954, the "Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act," requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault forensic evidence (commonly called a "rape kit") to a designated lab within 10 business days of receipt. It mandates that labs analyze the evidence within six months of receipt, if staffing and resources allow, and establishes deadlines for agencies to report unsubmitted backlog cases (within 45 days) and arrange submission of past cases (within 180 days). Agencies must also submit a detailed analysis plan to state leaders within 120 days, including resource needs. Violations by officers incur civil penalties ($1,000-$5,000 per incident), though reasonable efforts to comply are exempt. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and forensic labs handling sexual assault cases in New Jersey.