Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryAJR 61 designates April of each year as "Financial Literacy Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations to host activities focused on financial topics like credit management, savings, debt management, and homeownership. It does not create new laws or regulations but aims to raise public awareness about financial education. The designation applies statewide, affecting all New Jersey residents through promoted educational efforts during April.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision that automatically applies to a victim's child upon birth, if the victim is pregnant and requests this protection. It directly affects pregnant victims of domestic violence and their unborn children by extending legal protections without requiring the victim to return to court after childbirth. The key mechanism is that courts can now add this provision to restraining orders at the victim's request, rather than requiring the victim to seek a new order after the child is born. This change implements a court ruling that found it unreasonable to require victims to return to court immediately after giving birth to extend protections to their newborns.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15,564,293 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the New Jersey Historic Trust for historic preservation grants. It funds 37 capital preservation projects totaling $12.18 million (including restoration of sites like the USS New Jersey, Trenton City Hall, and Morven) and 35 historic site management projects totaling $1.59 million (covering preservation planning and heritage tourism initiatives). Additional allocations include $25,000 for a Discover NJ History license plate fund, $100,000 for emergency preservation needs, and $1.67 million for administrative costs. All projects require recipient matching funds and involve properties listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to specifically address human trafficking in underserved communities, with a focus on girls and women of color who face heightened vulnerability. The Attorney General must allocate resources within the Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate with local law enforcement on trafficking investigations, partner with victim support programs and community organizations to connect victims with resources, and collect data on trafficking trends in these communities. These actions are intended to target the unique challenges faced by underserved populations experiencing human trafficking. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover epinephrine auto-injector devices (like EpiPens) for individuals under 18 years old when a doctor deems it medically necessary. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, individual/group health insurance policies, and state health benefit programs. The key provision mandates coverage without prior authorization or other usage restrictions, ensuring families can access these life-saving devices when prescribed. It directly affects minors with severe allergies who rely on epinephrine auto-injectors for emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology to create a single, centralized website to help residents navigate mental health and substance use disorder services. The website must provide easily searchable information on treatment options, hotlines, peer support groups, housing resources, emergency procedures, and agency oversight - all in plain language with direct links. It will be maintained in collaboration with state departments including Mental Health Services, Health, and Children's Services. The site must be prominently linked on those departments' websites and publicized through multiple media channels. This directly benefits individuals seeking mental health/substance use support and their families by simplifying access to critical resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1940) requires law enforcement officers to provide domestic violence victims with information about their rights in English, Spanish, and up to 10 additional high-demand languages spoken in New Jersey, as identified in the Supreme Court-approved Language Access Plan. It also mandates the Administrative Office of the Courts to create standard templates for temporary and final restraining orders in these languages for use by law enforcement, municipal courts, and Superior Court judges. These templates would be provided to both victims and defendants when restraining orders are issued. The bill aims to improve language access for non-English speaking domestic violence victims seeking legal protections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities prepare for disasters by providing training, supply stockpiles, and technology for assisting residents with disaster relief applications. Administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, the program allows each municipality to receive up to $30,000 in funding, with priority determined by the Office of Emergency Management based on risk assessments. Municipalities must report annually on fund usage, improvements in emergency response, and current risks. The program directly affects local governments across New Jersey, aiming to streamline disaster assistance for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Police Training Commission to include cultural diversity and implicit bias training in the basic curriculum for all new police officers. It defines implicit bias as having unconscious attitudes or stereotypes toward people based on race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. The bill also mandates that instructors at police training schools must complete specialized training in cultural diversity and implicit bias. This applies to all municipal, county, and state police departments across New Jersey, affecting every officer undergoing initial training.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Disability Savings Act (A115) creates a state tax deduction for contributions to New Jersey ABLE accounts (disability savings accounts) and offers a one-time $750 matching grant for new accounts opened by residents with gross income of $150,000 or less. It directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities or their families who use these accounts for qualifying disability-related expenses like housing, education, or medical costs. The bill allows a full state tax deduction on contributions (similar to NJ’s 529 education savings plan) and provides the matching grant as an incentive to save, though funding for the grant depends on annual state appropriations. The deduction and grant apply only to New Jersey ABLE accounts, not accounts from other states.