Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special fund to support programs that trap, sterilize, vaccinate, and return stray or feral cats to their original locations. It requires all cats adopted from shelters or rescue organizations to be spayed or neutered before release, with exceptions for very young cats, those with health issues, or those moving between facilities. The state Department of Health would administer the fund, which can only be used for grants to local governments and cannot cover administrative costs. Municipalities and counties would receive funding to manage community cat populations through humane population control measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make it legal for adults aged 21 and older to grow and possess marijuana plants for personal use in New Jersey. Under the proposed law, individuals could grow up to six plants for recreational use or up to 10 plants for medical use, with a household limit of 12 plants total. The legislation removes criminal penalties for maintaining or operating premises used to grow these limited quantities of marijuana for personal purposes. Additionally, the bill requires the state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to create rules within 90 days of enactment to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to mandate that students identified as engaging in bias-related conduct meet with a certified school psychologist weekly for at least nine months. The law defines bias acts as any behavior motivated by protected characteristics such as race, gender, or sexual orientation that creates a hostile environment, and includes actions like displaying hate symbols or using discriminatory language. Districts must employ psychologists trained in implicit bias and racial equity to provide restorative interventions aimed at understanding underlying causes and preventing future incidents. The legislation emphasizes support and education over purely punitive measures, requiring staff training and transparent reporting to address rising bias incidents in schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides legal protection from civil and criminal liability for individuals who break into a vehicle to rescue an animal left in inhumane conditions. It applies to any person who reasonably believes an animal is in immediate danger due to heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other harmful circumstances. To qualify for immunity, the rescuer must first contact appropriate rescue personnel and attempt to locate the vehicle owner unless urgent circumstances prevent it. The law also requires that rescue workers provide veterinary care and investigate potential animal cruelty violations after the animal is removed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using manual vagus nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorders during emergencies. It defines specific roles for school nurses as primary responders while allowing them to designate at least two additional trained staff members to assist when the nurse is not present. The legislation mandates that designated staff receive CPR and defibrillator training, obtain written parental consent, and includes provisions protecting school employees from liability when acting in good faith during emergency medical situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all sexual assault forensic evidence in New Jersey to be kept for at least 10 years from the date it was collected, or 10 years after a minor victim turns 18, regardless of whether the case was reported or the victim released the evidence. It applies to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, healthcare facilities, and crime laboratories, which must notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the 10-year period. County prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice may authorize destruction after the retention period, with provisions for transferring custody to the state if needed. The law also allows custodians to contract with other entities to ensure proper storage of the evidence.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits law enforcement agencies and other users of automated license plate readers from sharing that information with out-of-state authorities for investigations related to reproductive health care services that are legal in the state. The legislation requires any out-of-state agency requesting such data to provide a written guarantee that the information will not be used to pursue legal action against individuals seeking or providing reproductive health care. Violations of these sharing restrictions could result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses. The law applies to all reproductive health services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, and abortion, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey to join the Women's Reproductive Health Care Compact, a multi-state agreement. The compact requires member states to work together to protect patients and providers who seek or provide reproductive health care across state lines. Key provisions include preventing extradition or investigations against those involved in care, blocking forced disclosure of medical records, stopping penalties against providers (like license suspensions or insurance hikes), and banning data collection about patients' travel, costs, or barriers to care. It directly affects New Jersey residents traveling for care, out-of-state providers serving New Jersey patients, and medical facilities operating across participating states. The compact does not change New Jersey's own abortion laws but focuses on interstate cooperation to safeguard access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel transporting students with disabilities to complete specialized training. The training covers behavior management, communication, adaptive equipment use, recognizing life-threatening emergencies (as defined in the bill), and safety procedures. Employers (school districts or contractors) must provide this training annually and require staff to certify completion within five business days. The bill does not mandate 911 calls or specific bus safety features, but focuses on personnel preparedness through training and certification. It is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2731) adds the right to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), to New Jersey's fundamental reproductive rights. It directly affects all individuals in New Jersey, including those under state control, by legally protecting their choice to access ART for starting or expanding a family. The key mechanism declares any state law, rule, or regulation limiting this right "deemed invalid" and unenforceable under New Jersey law. The bill responds to Alabama's 2024 court ruling that threatened IVF access, expanding existing protections for reproductive choices. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.