Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1910) prohibits life insurance companies in New Jersey from discriminating against applicants or policyholders based on transgender status or gender identity information. It amends existing law to explicitly ban unfair practices like denying coverage, charging higher rates, or refusing applications due to: (1) transgender status (including gender dysphoria diagnoses or related treatments), or (2) inconsistencies between a person's gender identity and their sex assigned at birth or documentation. The law applies directly to transgender individuals seeking or renewing life insurance policies. It aligns with New Jersey’s broader anti-discrimination protections in insurance, requiring insurers to base decisions on actuarial risk, not gender identity.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A1905 requires the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign informing immigrants about privacy laws that prevent health care enrollment data from being shared with immigration authorities. The campaign must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate materials in English and Spanish, distributed through health clinics, community centers, media, and a dedicated Spanish-accessible website. The website must summarize relevant privacy protections and include bilingual navigation and links to additional resources. This aims to help uninsured immigrants access state health care programs (like Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare) without fear of immigration consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent unit within New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, limited transportation access, or limited financial resources for disaster preparedness and recovery. The unit will assess needs before, during, and after emergencies; identify statewide resources; ensure access to those resources; and coordinate with local emergency offices to implement best practices across North, Central, and South Jersey. The unit will consist of one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to serve these populations statewide.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Disclosure and Accountability Transparency Act (NJ DaTA) establishes new data privacy rights for New Jersey consumers and creates obligations for businesses that collect personal information. The law requires businesses to obtain explicit consent before processing personal data, provide clear privacy notices, and allow consumers to access, correct, or delete their information. It prohibits processing sensitive data like biometrics, health information, or racial/ethnic data without specific consent, and mandates that businesses notify consumers of data breaches within 72 hours. The law also establishes an Office of Data Protection in the Division of Consumer Affairs to oversee compliance, with penalties of $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryAJR 64 designates November 22 of each year as "Kimchi Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day with cultural activities. It directly recognizes New Jersey's Korean-American community, which includes approximately 105,000 residents - especially in Bergen County - and celebrates kimchi's cultural significance. The bill has no regulatory effect; it is purely a symbolic observance honoring kimchi's heritage and health benefits as recognized by South Korea and the UN.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Student Educator Tuition Remission Program to help reduce the cost of teacher certification. It provides tuition coverage for eligible students completing clinical practice in approved educator preparation programs at public New Jersey colleges or universities. Students must be NJ residents enrolled full-time in an approved program, meet citizenship/financial aid criteria, and complete required steps for clinical practice. The program covers up to two semesters of eligible tuition expenses, with repayment required only if a student is dismissed, disqualified from teaching, or becomes ineligible for certification - though no repayment is needed for withdrawals due to illness or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program called the "Pretrial Partnership for Community Support and Services Pilot Program" in Monmouth, Union, Camden, and Cumberland counties. The program provides eligible defendants on pretrial release with biopsychosocial assessments and connects them to community-based services including medical, mental health, and substance use treatment. Defendants who successfully participate in the program will have their participation considered as a mitigating factor in charging decisions and sentencing. The program is administered by approved pretrial community support providers with at least two years of experience in reentry services, and a report will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature after the pilot concludes to determine if the program should continue or expand.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1914) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to publicly release bias incident data monthly on the Department of Law and Public Safety's website. It amends current law, which previously required law enforcement agencies to submit quarterly bias incident reports to the AG and the AG to issue an annual public report. The bill mandates that the AG make this data available monthly instead of annually, defining "bias incident" as suspected or confirmed violations of specific bias intimidation laws. This change directly affects municipal and county law enforcement agencies (who submit the data) and the public (who gains more frequent access to the information).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Interagency Council on Homelessness within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to replace the existing Homelessness Prevention Task Force. The council, composed of 24 members including state agency leaders and public representatives (with at least two members who have experienced homelessness and two with housing expertise), will advise the Office of Homelessness Prevention and develop recommendations for coordinating services, identifying funding, and creating permanent housing solutions. It must produce an annual report for the Governor and Legislature detailing its findings and proposals. The council directly affects state agencies, homeless service providers, advocacy groups, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its collaborative policy development process.

Maddy summaryAJR 65 designates the date of the second new moon following the winter solstice (or the third if a leap month is needed) as "Lunar New Year" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this date and encourages schools and cultural institutions to observe it with appropriate activities. It directly acknowledges the cultural significance of Lunar New Year for New Jersey's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, which make up approximately 10% of the state's population. This symbolic gesture does not create a legal holiday but formally recognizes traditions celebrated by many residents.