Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop a program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The program mandates creating a toolkit for state employees and community partners, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, and identifying gaps in services. It also requires all state agencies serving children and adults to implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and using trauma-sensitive language in contracts. The goal is to improve health and educational outcomes by addressing childhood trauma early through evidence-based approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages New Jersey public school teachers to obtain current certification in emergency first aid, CPR, and AED use. It requires school districts to promote certification, provide recognition through a certificate of commendation and online public listing, and ensure the Department of Education offers training opportunities in both in-person and online formats. Teachers who earn certification may apply for eight hours toward their annual professional development requirement. The bill aims to enhance immediate response to medical emergencies in schools by increasing the number of trained staff, without mandating certification for teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed professionals in barbering, beauty culture, manicuring, hair braiding, or skin care to teach in private cosmetology and hairstyling schools, provided they meet general teacher requirements (excluding the need for a cosmetology license) and demonstrate their training equals or exceeds that required for a cosmetology license. Currently, only individuals with a cosmetology and hairstyling license could teach in these schools. The bill also adds a requirement that teachers must only instruct in services within the scope of their professional license. This change directly affects private cosmetology schools and expands the pool of potential instructors.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sex offenders from holding jobs where 80% or more of their duties involve contact with children. It defines "sex offender" broadly as someone convicted of certain sexual offenses under New Jersey's Megan's Law. Both the offender (holding such a job) and an employer knowingly hiring them face third-degree criminal charges, carrying penalties of 3-5 years in prison or up to $15,000 in fines. The law does not apply to minors under 18 working in rehabilitative programs for juvenile sex offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving opportunity grants through New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their academic major. Students must notify the Secretary of Higher Education before the academic year begins, resulting in a proportional reduction of their grant funds during the regular academic year. The bill also requires annual reporting by institutions on summer grant usage and graduation rates, implementing a 2016 College Affordability Study Commission recommendation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 139) expressing formal appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. It specifically thanks the Chief Clerk and all staff members - including Sergeants at Arms, committee services, administrative personnel, and others - for their dedication, expertise, and service during legislative sessions. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely a symbolic gesture recognizing staff contributions to the legislature's operations. Copies will be distributed to all General Assembly staff members.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2165) allows spouses and dependent children of active-duty military service members to maintain New Jersey in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities if the service member is transferred to another state. It specifically applies to those who were already enrolled in a New Jersey public institution before the transfer and maintain continuous enrollment. The bill also extends this benefit to military dependents who attended New Jersey high school for at least three years, regardless of where they live when enrolling. These changes amend existing law (P.L.1985, c.231) to ensure military-connected students avoid sudden tuition increases due to relocation.

Maddy summary"Sebastien's Law" changes New Jersey's window guard requirements from an opt-in system (where tenants must request window guards) to an opt-out system (where landlords must install window guards in units where children 10 or younger reside or are regularly present, unless tenants specifically waive this requirement). Landlords must provide tenants with annual notices about window guard requirements and maintain the guards with regular inspections. Tenants with children can waive the requirement in writing but may rescind this waiver at any time without penalty or lease violation. The law applies to multiple dwellings (apartment buildings with three or more units) and aims to increase child safety by ensuring window guards are installed where children are present.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits large online retailers (with $1 million+ annual sales) and major retailers (over 75,000 sq ft with 50+ employees) in New Jersey from using shipping boxes larger than twice the volume of the product being shipped. It requires retailers to use appropriately sized boxes for consumer deliveries, aiming to reduce packaging waste. Violations carry civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. Enforcement is authorized for state environmental and consumer protection agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJ EITC) by gradually raising the state match rate from 40% to 45% over five years, resulting in larger tax refunds for eligible low-income residents. It expands eligibility to include taxpayers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) who qualify for the federal credit but lack Social Security numbers, and exempts married victims of domestic abuse from the joint filing requirement if they meet specific criteria (living apart from their spouse, experiencing abuse within three years, and filing separately). These changes directly affect New Jersey workers and families earning low wages, particularly those previously ineligible due to documentation barriers or domestic violence circumstances. The bill ensures more residents can access this refundable tax credit without requiring joint federal filing in cases of abuse.