Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Chief Accountability Officer position within the Governor's Office, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval for five-year terms. The officer directly oversees 16 state oversight roles - including ombudsmen, comptrollers, and inspectors across departments like Transportation, Education, and Human Services - to ensure their audits, investigations, and reviews coordinate effectively and follow state and professional standards. The officer must hold regular meetings with these supervisors to avoid duplicated work, optimize resources, and prevent public fund waste. Annual reports on these efforts will be submitted to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide summer reading instruction for New Jersey students not reading at grade level by the end of second grade. It requires participating school districts to apply with data on their elementary schools and past summer program enrollment, with the Commissioner selecting two districts per region (north, central, south) to ensure urban, suburban, and rural representation. The program appropriates $1 million from the state general fund to cover implementation costs, and the Commissioner must evaluate its effectiveness and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature after three years, including recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects second-grade students in selected districts and the state Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1147) establishes a $1 million pilot program in New Jersey's Office of Planning Advocacy to reimburse municipalities for specific costs related to warehouse development planning. It directly affects local governments that update zoning ordinances or conduct studies to address warehouse impacts like traffic, infrastructure, or environmental concerns. Municipalities must adopt warehouse-specific zoning consistent with state guidance to qualify for reimbursement, with priority given to those needing financial assistance. The program requires the Office to develop model zoning ordinances directing warehouse development to suitable locations and report on program effectiveness after funds are used. The pilot expires upon submission of this report.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey dentists and dental hygienists licensed in New Jersey to practice in other states that join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact without obtaining a separate license in each state. It creates a "compact privilege" that enables licensed professionals to work across participating states while still following each state's practice rules and standards. The compact requires states to share disciplinary information and maintain their own licensing requirements, aiming to improve access to dental care in underserved areas and support workforce mobility. The bill does not change New Jersey's current licensing standards or requirements for dental professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to avoid conflict with a religious observance. It establishes a permanent rule requiring the Secretary of State to move primary election dates to the first Tuesday after a religious observance that significantly burdens in-person voting. The law mandates that election officials and the public be notified within seven days for the 2025 change and by January 1st for future years. It applies to all primary elections for delegates to national conventions and general elections statewide, ensuring adjustments to all related deadlines. The bill defines "religious observance" as days when religious practices substantially prevent voting in person.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 61) urges the U.S. Congress to pass two specific voting rights bills: the "Freedom to Vote Act" and the "John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act." It directly addresses federal lawmakers, requesting action to strengthen voting protections after recent state-level restrictions on voter access. The resolution highlights New Jersey's own efforts to increase voting access (like online registration) and notes rising national trends of restrictive voting laws and threats to election integrity. It is a non-binding request sent to congressional leaders, emphasizing the need for federal action to update voting rights protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures continuous Medicaid coverage for long-term care services when beneficiaries are waiting to enroll in a managed care organization (MCO). It requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover eligible services - provided by assisted living residences, personal care homes, or adult family care providers - through the traditional "fee-for-service" system during the enrollment gap. Coverage begins on the date an individual is determined clinically and financially eligible for Medicaid long-term care services and ends when their MCO enrollment becomes effective. This policy, which codifies existing Medicaid practice, prevents payment interruptions for facilities serving Medicaid-eligible residents awaiting MCO enrollment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3932) requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to install at least one hydrogen refueling station at every service area along their toll roads within two years. It directly affects these transportation authorities (mandating the installations) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle drivers (who gain refueling access). The bill specifies that authorities must recover installation and operational costs from users proportionally based on their station usage. It does not alter vehicle technology or emissions standards but ensures infrastructure support for hydrogen-powered vehicles on state toll routes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water suppliers in New Jersey to immediately notify local governments and schools whenever a serious drinking water violation occurs under federal EPA rules. Specifically, suppliers must contact municipal officials and school administrators (including charter schools, nonpublic schools, and colleges) via phone and email within the affected area. The notification must detail the contaminant, test results, locations of violations, and suggested remedies for affected customers. It applies to all public water systems and ensures transparency about water safety issues impacting communities and educational institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Grow Your Own Teacher Loan Redemption Program to help new teachers reduce student loan debt by working in school districts with teacher shortages. It targets graduates of high schools in shortage districts (or those who lived in such districts for over five years) who become certified teachers there, with eligibility requiring NJ residency, a valid teaching job, and eligible student loans. For each full year of teaching in a qualifying district, the program redeems up to $10,000 of loan principal and interest, capping total redemption at $50,000 over five years, with annual program spending limited to $500,000. Participants must sign a five-year contract to teach in the designated district and submit annual employment verification.