Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Bill Replacing "Alien" and "Illegal Alien" Terminology This bill amends New Jersey statutes to replace the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" with "foreign national" and "undocumented foreign national," respectively, when referring to individuals based on their immigration status. Key provisions include: 1. **Terminology Replacement**: The bill systematically replaces "alien" with "foreign national" and "illegal alien" with "undocumented foreign national" throughout New Jersey statutes in sections related to: - Tax law (Section 23) - Income tax tables (Section 24) - Social services (Sections 16-22) - Welfare programs (Sections 17-19) - Real estate (Section 22) - Medical assistance (Section 16) - And numerous other legal contexts 2. **Agency Compliance**: Section 25 prohibits all New Jersey executive agencies from using the terms "alien" or "illegal alien" in any proposed or final rule, regulation, interpretation, publication, or other document issued after the effective date of the act, except when quoting or reproducing text from other sources. 3. **Rationale**: The bill's statement explains that the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" are offensive, ostracize immigrants, and have skewed immigration discussions. The bill aims to show respect to immigrants, recognize their personhood, and align with the principle that "the United States is a nation of immigrants." 4. **Implementation**: The bill takes effect on the first day of the third month following its enactment. The bill is consistent with similar legislation introduced in Congress by Representative Joaquin Castro in 2015, reflecting a broader movement to use more respectful language when discussing immigration.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child care subsidy program to cover families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $83,250 for a family of four in 2022), up from the current 200% limit ($55,500 for a family of four). It requires the state to establish at least four income tiers for determining eligibility and co-payment amounts, and appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund for implementation. The bill also ensures subsidy rates for child care - especially for school-aged children during school breaks - do not fall below pandemic-era levels ($83,250 for a family of four in 2022). This directly affects low- and moderate-income families with children under 13 who need subsidized child care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual income limit for New Jersey seniors (65+) and disabled residents to qualify for a $250 property tax deduction, raising it from $10,000 to $20,000 starting in 2014. Future income limits will automatically adjust each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation, rounded to the nearest $100. The $250 deduction amount itself remains unchanged. The bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before it can take effect, as it modifies an existing tax provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault laws to specifically address assaults on people with disabilities. It defines a "person with a disability" as someone with a pre-existing medically determinable physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to resist, including those determined disabled under federal Social Security or similar programs. Under the bill, causing bodily injury to such a person would be upgraded to aggravated assault, classified as a third-degree crime with a mandatory minimum 3-year prison sentence. The bill was prompted by the 2006 assault of Joey Damiano, a Trenton man with an intellectual disability, and would directly affect anyone committing assault against a person with a disability in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission to establish a five-year pilot program providing arts education to juvenile offenders in detention and correction facilities. The Commission must select three organizations through a competitive process to develop model arts programs - partnering with arts groups, community agencies, and private entities - each required to secure its own five-year funding. These programs will be evaluated annually for four years to measure improvements in critical thinking, self-esteem, cultural understanding, and educational outcomes, with the Commission then recommending to the Governor and Legislature whether to expand the program statewide.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public database managed by the NJ Business Action Center (Department of State) listing vacant commercial spaces available for lease or purchase by small businesses. It requires commercial property owners to report vacancies or occupancy changes monthly, with the database including details like square footage, capital equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). The database will be updated monthly using data from property owners, realtors, and municipalities, and made accessible online with targeted outreach to business associations and chambers of commerce. The goal is to reduce the time and cost for small businesses to find suitable commercial space by centralizing vacancy information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1388) requires certain healthcare providers in New Jersey - including physicians, nurses, and midwives - to conduct regular intimate partner violence screenings of patients using evidence-based guidelines. If a provider identifies potential abuse, they must document findings, provide local victim resources and referrals during the same visit, and update the patient’s medical record access permissions to prevent abusers from obtaining copies. The Department of Children and Families and Department of Health must maintain and update regional resource lists for providers. The law directly affects patients experiencing intimate partner violence and healthcare professionals who document such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards for domestic violence counseling programs that defendants must attend as part of court orders in domestic violence cases. It requires these programs to include specific components like risk assessments, education about power and control dynamics, and protocols for documenting attendance. The bill creates an "Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee" within the Department of Children and Families to oversee these programs, with members representing courts, law enforcement, mental health services, domestic violence advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee will help select and fund evidence-based counseling programs that focus on holding offenders accountable and supporting victims' safety. The bill aims to improve the effectiveness of domestic violence counseling by setting clear standards and creating oversight through the new committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A595) protects the personal information of specific healthcare workers who are assaulted by patients or residents at healthcare facilities. It requires that the name and address of these victims be redacted from court documents, reports, and other public records if the assault occurred during their work. Violating this confidentiality - by disclosing the information without court authorization - triggers a $100 civil penalty per document. The law directly affects healthcare workers employed at licensed facilities, licensed healthcare professionals, and direct care workers at psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes.