Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act prohibits the sale of certain products containing intentionally added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including cosmetics, carpets, fabric treatments, and food packaging, beginning two years after the act's effective date. Manufacturers must notify the Department of Environmental Protection about PFAS in their products within one year of the act's effective date and pay a $1,000 fee per notification. The act requires cookware containing PFAS in contact with food to display a clear label stating "This product contains PFAS" in both English and Spanish. The Department of Environmental Protection must establish a source reduction program and conduct PFAS research, funded by a $5 million appropriation from the General Fund. The bill allows products with trace amounts of PFAS from unavoidable impurities to continue being sold, focusing on prohibiting the intentional addition of PFAS rather than trace amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey cosmetology schools to include training on working with textured hair in their curricula for students preparing for licensure as cosmetologists, hairstylists, beauticians, barbers, and hair braiders. Textured hair is defined as hair that is coiled, curly, or wavy, and the training must cover working with various coil, curl, and wave patterns, hair strand thickness, and hair volume. The bill also mandates that the state's licensure examinations include textured hair as part of both written and practical testing components. These requirements will apply to all schools licensed under New Jersey's cosmetology regulations. The bill aims to ensure professionals receive appropriate training for serving clients with textured hair without expanding current training hour requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated business tax funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation. The funds will directly support Oldmans Township in Salem County through a municipal planning incentive grant to help preserve farmland. The grant is intended to assist the township in developing local plans that protect agricultural land. The funding comes from existing constitutionally protected revenues designated for open space and farmland preservation under New Jersey law.

Maddy summarySJR 100 designates every July as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to collaborate on educational programs and research about these conditions. This symbolic measure does not create new laws or funding but aims to foster understanding and support for individuals and families affected by cleft lip and palate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to create an automated online platform (the "State Smart Solar Permitting Platform") to speed up approval of residential solar energy system installations. It directly affects homeowners, solar installers, and local governments by replacing slow manual permitting with instant digital reviews. The platform must automatically check code compliance, issue permits within minutes, allow 24/7 applications, and support electronic signatures - handling 75% of standard residential systems. Local agencies must adopt the platform or an equivalent alternative within 18 months, with penalties for non-compliance to fund low-income energy assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1941) requires the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking to expand public awareness signage about human trafficking to 12 new types of establishments, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The signage must display the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline number and meet specific size (8.5" x 11") and language (English/Spanish) requirements. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects all covered establishments by mandating visible signage to educate the public on trafficking resources.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1930 broadens the criminal statute for cyber-harassment targeting minors. It lowers the age threshold for a third-degree offense from 21 to 18 years old and removes the requirement that offenders must impersonate a minor to be charged. The bill also mandates that minors under 16 convicted of cyber-harassment complete educational programs about online safety, and penalizes parents who fail to comply with court orders regarding these programs. These changes directly affect adults aged 18+ who cyber-harass minors, minors under 16 who commit such acts, and their parents or guardians. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summary"CJ's Law" (A5129) would criminalize the manufacture, distribution, and possession of substances containing kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth, mitragynine, or derivatives) in New Jersey. It establishes two offense levels: second-degree for 1 ounce or more (5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine) and third-degree for less than 1 ounce (3-5 years in prison, up to $15,000 fine). The law includes an exception for licensed practitioners (doctors, dentists, veterinarians, etc.) who may handle such substances in professional practice. The legislation is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to a drug mixture containing kratom, and is based on FDA warnings about kratom's health risks including addiction and serious health issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1 million in supplemental funding to the New Jersey Commission on Asian American Heritage from the General Fund. The funding supports the Commission's existing duties, including developing curriculum guidelines and educational resources about Asian American history for public and nonpublic schools. It specifically targets the Commission's work to integrate accurate, inclusive Asian American historical content into social studies curricula and train teachers on related standards. The funds are designated under the Department of Education's "Educational Support Services" budget line.

Maddy summaryThe Lyme Screening Act requires health care providers in New Jersey to screen children for Lyme disease risk during well-child visits and symptom-related visits (for fever, rash, joint pain, fatigue, or headache) between April 1 and October 31 - the peak tick season. Providers must use a standardized checklist developed by the state health department to assess tick exposure and symptoms, and if risk is identified, either order testing or refer the child for further evaluation. The bill also mandates one continuing medical education credit on Lyme disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for physicians during license renewals. This law applies to all licensed pediatric health care facilities and providers serving children in New Jersey.