Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the surgical declawing (onychectomy) of cats and other animals in New Jersey, except when a licensed veterinarian determines it is medically necessary to treat a specific health condition like an injury, infection, or disease. Veterinarians must document the medical necessity, file a written statement with the Department of Health, and provide a copy to the pet owner for any permitted procedure. The law explicitly bans declawing for cosmetic, aesthetic, or convenience reasons, such as preventing furniture damage. Violating this prohibition would result in a disorderly persons offense, directly affecting veterinarians, pet owners, and animal care providers by changing the legal standards for declawing procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot evict, refuse to renew, or deny rentals based on a tenant’s victim status. To qualify, tenants must provide documentation like restraining orders, law enforcement records, medical reports, or certifications from domestic violence specialists. Violating this law could lead to civil lawsuits where victims recover damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The bill amends New Jersey's eviction statutes to explicitly prohibit housing decisions based on victim status.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4358) increases post-delivery pregnancy-related leave benefits from six to eight weeks. It directly affects covered employees (including those with private health plans) who qualify for temporary disability benefits related to pregnancy or childbirth. Key provisions require employers to automatically process a single application for both temporary disability and paid family leave benefits (unless the employee opts out), and mandate written notice to temporary disability claimants about the combined application process. The change applies immediately to all new benefit applications filed on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryACR 120 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and the Dayton Accords. It formally acknowledges the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where over 8,000 Bosniak civilians were killed during the Bosnian War as part of ethnic cleansing. The resolution commits New Jersey to commemorating this event and sends copies to the Bosnian ambassadors to the U.S. and U.N. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes. This is a commemorative resolution, not a binding legislative act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover pelvic floor physical therapy for one year after childbirth. It applies to hospital service, medical service, health service, individual, group, and health benefits plans. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, meaning no higher out-of-pocket costs or restrictions than standard medical care. This directly affects women who have given birth and are covered by these insurance plans during the postpartum period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover all reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion. It also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from raising premiums or canceling coverage for providers who offer these legally protected services. The law applies to all health insurance companies, Medicaid, and malpractice insurers operating in the state. By mandating coverage and preventing insurance penalties, the bill aims to remove financial barriers to reproductive health care access for all residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4369) creates a matching grant program within New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to support community-based nonprofits that provide shelter during Code Blue alerts (extreme cold weather emergencies). Nonprofits must first receive a grant from a county or municipality within the past year, then apply to DCA for a state match of that funding, with a $50,000 annual limit per county/municipality. The program requires applicants to detail their finances, grant use plans, and verify prior funding, while DCA must award grants in order of application receipt and report on the program’s effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature after three years. It directly affects eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing emergency shelter services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary tax credit for New Jersey employers who build or improve facilities to provide child care for their employees' children. Employers can claim a 50% credit (up to $50,000) against corporation business tax or gross income tax for eligible property expenses, effective for three years after the bill's enactment. To qualify, employers must commit to using the property as a child care center for employees' children for 60 consecutive months and submit documentation to the state tax authority. If the property stops serving this purpose (except in cases of casualty or transfer), employers must repay the credit plus interest. The credit directly affects businesses establishing on-site or contracted child care centers for their workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes an annual $20,000 tax on entities owning more than 20 single-family homes in New Jersey as of the last day of the tax year. It targets large investors like hedge funds, private equity firms, and real estate investment trusts (REITs), but excludes nonprofits, homeowners who build/rehab homes, and owners of federally subsidized housing. Revenue from this tax will fund down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers seeking family ownership. The tax applies to each home above the 20-home threshold, with reporting due quarterly and specific exemptions for certain sales or ownership reductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for repeat offenses of buying sex (prostitution as a patron) in New Jersey. A first offense remains a disorderly persons offense, but a second or third offense becomes a fourth-degree crime, and a fourth or subsequent offense becomes a third-degree crime. The bill also requires that fines collected from these offenses be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" to support survivors of human trafficking. It applies specifically to individuals who repeatedly engage in purchasing sexual services.