Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new sentencing consideration in New Jersey for defendants who were victims of abuse. It allows courts to weigh whether a defendant was subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse (including domestic violence) that contributed to their crime, applying to most offenses except murder or certain sex offenses requiring registration. The court must consider evidence of the abuse presented during trial or plea proceedings - even if the defendant didn’t raise it as a defense - and may reduce sentences or order resentencing for eligible individuals. This change aims to account for trauma-driven criminal behavior in sentencing decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges New Jersey's Department of Health to create public education materials about xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly misused as a street drug. It highlights xylazine's dangers - including respiratory depression, skin ulcers, and its inability to be reversed by naloxone (unlike opioids) - and notes its frequent combination with fentanyl and other drugs in overdoses. The resolution specifically requests the health department provide accessible resources to inform residents about these risks. It does not create new laws but calls for public awareness efforts to address this emerging public health concern.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to research and develop proposals addressing generational harms from New Jersey's role in slavery and systemic racial discrimination. The task force will examine historical and current disparities affecting Black communities, including voter disenfranchisement, youth incarceration rates, housing discrimination, wealth gaps, and school segregation. It will produce a report with policy recommendations for state-based reparations based on documented harms. The bill directly affects Black residents of New Jersey who face these systemic inequities, as outlined in the legislative findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the New Jersey Disclosure and Accountability Transparency Act (NJ DaTA), creates new rules for how businesses handle personal data in New Jersey. It requires businesses (called "controllers") to get clear, active permission ("affirmative opt-in") from New Jersey residents before collecting or processing their personal information, and gives residents the right to access, correct, or delete their data. The bill also establishes a new Office of Data Protection within the Division of Consumer Affairs to enforce these rules and ensure businesses comply. It directly affects businesses that collect personal data from New Jersey residents, including online services, apps, and other entities handling consumer information.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all members, officers, and employees of New Jersey's Legislature to complete annual implicit bias and cultural competency training. It mandates an online tutorial by April 1 of every even-numbered year, plus additional annual in-person training directed by leadership. Staff must submit public certifications verifying completion to the Legislative Counsel. The goal is to help legislators and staff understand unconscious biases and interact effectively with diverse communities when making policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a five-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission to establish three arts-based education programs for youth in detention and correction facilities. The programs, developed through partnerships with arts organizations, community groups, and private funders, aim to build skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-esteem using creative arts. Each program will undergo annual evaluation to measure impacts on educational outcomes and youth development, with final recommendations for continuation or expansion to be submitted after four years. The bill directly affects juvenile offenders in state correctional facilities and requires collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey program to help reproductive health care professionals reduce student loan debt. It appropriates $5 million to redeem up to $200,000 in qualifying student loans for eligible providers who work at approved sites (including abortion providers) for 1-4 years. Participants earn 18% loan redemption after one year of service, increasing to 26%, 28%, and 28% for subsequent years. The program prioritizes providers in counties with shortages of reproductive health services, targeting areas where abortion access is limited. It directly affects licensed professionals providing reproductive health care, including abortion services, within the state.