Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill protects working parents and legal guardians of school-aged children (Kindergarten through 12th grade) during school closures caused by state or public health emergencies. It prohibits employers from requiring these employees to work in person if their job can be done remotely, unless the employer proves remote work would cause an undue hardship to business operations. The law includes a rebuttable presumption that remote work is feasible if an employee has already worked remotely for two consecutive pay periods, and employers cannot penalize staff for requesting or using remote work. Violations carry escalating fines: $1,000 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 50% tax on gross receipts from contracts between private companies and public entities for operating carceral facilities in New Jersey (e.g., private jails or detention centers). It directly affects private businesses running such facilities, requiring them to pay the tax annually based on their prior year’s revenue from these contracts. All tax revenue must be deposited into a new "Immigrant Protection Fund," which the state will use exclusively to fund immigration-related services. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning money stays available for future appropriations without annual renewal.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4140) modifies how New Jersey calculates financial obligations for psychiatric facility care. It specifically excludes veterans' benefits (such as VA pensions or disability payments) from the income calculation used to determine a veteran's payment responsibility. Under current law, veterans' benefits were counted toward income when applying the sliding-scale fee for care; this bill removes that requirement. The change directly affects veterans receiving treatment in state psychiatric facilities who would otherwise have their benefits considered in determining their out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Loan Fund Act creates a $10 million no-cost loan program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help licensed child care centers and registered family day care homes cover capital expenses. It specifically funds renovations, expansions, or new construction of facilities - **not operating costs** - to increase available child care slots statewide. Providers must apply with project details, and the EDA prioritizes applicants participating in the state's Grow NJ Kids quality program. Loans must be repaid within five years, with hardship exceptions, and require collateral like business assets or personal guarantees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey inmates participating in full-time substance abuse treatment programs to earn enhanced time credits toward parole eligibility. Specifically, it requires the corrections commissioner to award inmates 1.5 times the standard commutation (good time) credits they would normally receive during their participation in such programs. These additional credits directly reduce the inmate's parole eligibility date, meaning they become eligible for parole sooner than under standard credit calculations. The provision applies to all eligible inmates in substance abuse treatment programs, supplementing existing credit systems without altering mandatory minimum sentencing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification system for peer recovery specialists in New Jersey, who provide support to individuals with substance use or mental health challenges based on their personal lived experience. To practice, individuals must meet standards set by the Division of Consumer Affairs, including passing a background check, and cannot represent themselves as certified without approval. The law exempts existing support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous), clergy, students in training, and licensed professionals (such as therapists) who don’t claim certification. It also prohibits conflicts of interest, like exploiting peer relationships for personal gain. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A3125 bans the sale of menstrual products containing regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to health concerns. It directly affects manufacturers selling products like tampons, pads, cups, or underwear in New Jersey, prohibiting both intentionally added PFAS and PFAS above trace levels. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results available for inspection by the Department of Health. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under state law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense, and takes effect two years after enactment.