Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school districts to include environmental sustainability goals in their existing long-range facilities plans. Districts must update these plans every five years to incorporate sustainability measures, such as energy efficiency or waste reduction, alongside other planning elements like enrollment projections and safety standards. The requirement applies to all school districts, including those designated as "Abbott districts" under previous law. This amendment modifies an existing 2000 law (P.L.2000, c.72) by adding environmental sustainability as a mandatory component of the planning process, without specifying exact sustainability metrics.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to develop a mobile application that provides veterans and their families with information on state and federal resources. The app would cover topics including legal rights, benefits, medical and insurance issues, education, housing, and support for transitioning from military to civilian life. It aims to improve access to these resources through a mobile platform designed to be faster and more user-friendly than traditional websites. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being enacted in prior legislation (P.L.2025, c.292).

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3037) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to adjust routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year to better meet the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from individuals with autism and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates that NJT annually gather this input to assess whether current service adjustments are sufficient or if further changes are needed. It directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder by aiming to improve their access to public transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to support scientific conferences hosted by New Jersey's institutions of higher education. It appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to cover costs like event space rentals, speaker fees, travel, and lodging for these events. Grants cannot be used for food or unrelated vendor expenses. Institutions must apply with conference details, speaker credentials, and cost information to receive funding. The program becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3031) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a program encouraging owners or operators of closed landfills to transform these sites into habitats supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats using native plants. The DEP must develop guidelines for establishing and maintaining these habitats within six months of the bill taking effect, and actively seek corporate or nonprofit partnerships to fund and support the program. It directly affects owners of legacy or closed sanitary landfills statewide, with the goal of repurposing underutilized landfill sites for ecological benefit. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes for habitat creation, not on outcomes or political arguments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits (like Social Security or Veterans benefits) received by children in foster care to cover state costs for their care, except to maintain eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or avoid violating federal asset limits. It requires DCF to manage these benefits as representative payee, monitor federal resource limits, establish ABLE accounts for eligible children, and provide annual financial reports to children, families, and courts. The law specifically directs DCF to prioritize children’s SSI eligibility over seeking state reimbursement for foster care costs under federal law. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.162.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.202, prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS (forever chemicals) to most cosmetics sold in New Jersey starting two years after its effective date. It requires cookware manufacturers containing PFAS to notify consumers about their presence. The law directly affects cosmetics and cookware manufacturers, while protecting residents by reducing exposure to PFAS linked to health risks. Key mechanisms include specific product bans, disclosure requirements, and funding for PFAS research and remediation programs. The bill does not apply to trace PFAS from manufacturing impurities or products with PFAS only in internal components.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 3425 would permit individuals to collect wild fruits, fungi, nuts, and plants from state parks and forests for personal consumption (not for sale), provided they avoid protected species. It defines "personal use" as consumption by the collector, family, or friends, and requires foragers to assume all risks with no state liability. The Department of Environmental Protection may restrict foraging in sensitive areas (e.g., to protect wildlife, prevent erosion, or ensure public safety) and can impose $500 fines for negligent harvesting of endangered species. The bill is pending before the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" in New Jersey's General Fund, funded by $500 for every retail sale of an electric vehicle in the state during the prior fiscal year. The fund supports environmentally safe repurposing (using used batteries for stationary storage like home energy systems), remanufacturing (restoring batteries to original condition), and recycling of electric vehicle batteries. It directly affects electric vehicle owners through the sales-based funding mechanism and battery management companies implementing these processes. The bill requires the Division of Taxation to track EV sales to calculate annual fund contributions, with the fund's money exclusively used for these battery management activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide prenatal and postpartum services to all female inmates aged 60 or younger upon entry to correctional facilities. It mandates pregnancy testing, prenatal medical care, nutrition counseling, family planning counseling, and postpartum support - including maternity clothing, adjusted housing, and reduced work schedules for those carrying pregnancies to term. The law applies to all incarcerated women who are pregnant at the time of admission, ensuring they receive comprehensive care to address high-risk pregnancy needs common in this population. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.