Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey high school students to complete a one-semester financial literacy course as part of their curriculum. The course must cover budgeting, savings, credit, debt, taxes, college financial planning, and other personal finance topics, while excluding primarily business or economic instruction. Teachers must hold specific endorsements (e.g., in Finance, Social Studies, or Business) to teach the course, and school districts must integrate it into graduation requirements for state-endorsed diplomas. The requirement applies to students entering 12th grade in the 2027-2028 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct part of their refund or add a contribution to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund." Funds collected would be distributed equally each year to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, to cover costs for low-income individuals seeking services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to pregnancy or pregnancy termination. It applies to tax returns for years beginning after enactment, with no requirement for taxpayer participation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 3535 would allow developers to convert vacant office parks (50,000+ sq ft) and retail centers (15,000+ sq ft) with at least 40% vacancy into mixed-use developments (combining homes, shops, and offices) by temporarily overriding local zoning rules that prohibit such projects. It applies only to properties near transit, within designated planning areas, and not adjacent to hazardous sites or industrial zones. Developers must submit applications within 25 months of the bill's effective date to qualify for this zoning exemption. The bill aims to repurpose underused "stranded assets" without requiring special variances, focusing on properties meeting specific eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits most food service businesses (like restaurants, food trucks, and cafeterias) from automatically giving customers single-use utensils or condiments (like ketchup packets). Instead, businesses must provide these items only if a customer specifically requests them. Larger dine-in establishments (with 50+ seats) must offer reusable utensils for on-site use and require customers to return them after meals. Exemptions include schools (for 5 years), healthcare facilities during outbreaks, and food courts (for 2 years). Violations incur fines starting at $2,500 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities (including electricity, gas, water, sewer, and telecom providers) to notify municipalities 24 hours before work on poles or underground facilities in a single municipality, and to restore streets to their original condition after repairs using hot patch asphalt and repaving. It mandates paying prevailing wages for restoration work and imposes daily fines of up to $1,000 for failure to restore streets within 90 days, with exceptions for winter months (November-April) and emergencies. The law applies to all utilities operating in New Jersey, directly affecting how they coordinate with local governments during street repairs. Key provisions include mandatory municipal consent for pole placement in gas-lit areas and emergency exemptions for immediate safety threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a quality-based reimbursement system for registered family child care providers who participate in both the state's subsidized child care program and the Grow NJ Kids quality initiative. It directs DHS to provide enhanced payments to these providers based on their quality ratings within the Grow NJ Kids system. The bill mandates DHS to seek necessary federal waivers to maintain funding for subsidized child care programs serving low-to-moderate income families. This directly affects registered family child care providers enrolled in Grow NJ Kids who serve subsidized families. The key mechanism is a tiered payment structure tied to quality ratings, replacing the previous reimbursement approach.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires hospitals providing breast cancer surgical treatments (like mastectomy or lumpectomy) to give patients written notice at diagnosis - before surgery consent - about their rights to consult with any board-certified plastic surgeon (regardless of hospital or insurance network) and coverage for reconstructive surgery under state/federal law. It also prohibits health insurance contracts from blocking doctors from recommending plastic surgeons outside their network or denying reconstructive surgery coverage based solely on a surgeon’s network status. The policy applies specifically to patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer, breast cancer genes, or other breast abnormalities. Hospitals must provide this notice upon diagnosis, ensuring patients understand their options for reconstruction and coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires libraries in New Jersey municipalities or counties where 40%+ of residents live below 1.85x the federal poverty line to provide free menstrual hygiene products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all women’s and all-gender restrooms. It also mandates that these libraries display educational pamphlets about menstrual health topics like toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal. The state, not the libraries, will cover all costs for purchasing and maintaining these products. The law applies to libraries funded partly by municipal or county taxes and aims to address period poverty by ensuring access to essential products and information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3086) prohibits all consumer and commercial uses of paraquat dichloride, a toxic herbicide and desiccant, within two years of its effective date. It directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to create rules banning these uses and requiring facilities that currently use paraquat to implement worker safety measures. The law specifically exempts uses already regulated under federal law (Toxic Substances Control Act). The bill affects farmers, gardeners, and businesses using paraquat, directly addressing health risks noted by the EPA, including fatal ingestion and serious skin/eye injuries from exposure.