Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes three new fees on private prison operators in New Jersey to fund social support programs. It charges an 8% fee on the value of public contracts (section 2), a $15 daily fee per inmate (section 3), and a 3% surtax on taxable income (section 4). All revenue flows into two dedicated funds: one for legal services supporting detained individuals and another for community programs like job training and housing (sections 2e and 3e). The bill directly affects private prison companies operating under state contracts, with fees applying during active contracts or inmate stays.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the New Jersey Blue Acres program to explicitly authorize the payment of relocation costs for households affected by storm damage or flooding. The legislation clarifies that "Blue Acres costs" include direct payments, advances, or bridge loans provided to residents to help them move from properties that are damaged or prone to future storm-related damage. By updating the legal definition of expenses covered under the program, the bill ensures that funds can be used for these specific relocation needs without requiring separate approval from the Division of Property Management and Construction. The changes directly impact homeowners and renters in areas targeted by the Blue Acres initiative, allowing the state to more efficiently support their transition to new housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Missing Middle Homes for All Pilot Program" to help New Jersey address housing shortages by developing pre-approved home designs that middle-income families can afford. The program, which receives a $2 million appropriation, will be managed by the Department of Community Affairs to produce ready-to-build plans that municipalities can adopt to speed up construction and lower costs. It specifically targets households earning between 80 and 120 percent of the median income, a group often excluded from current housing assistance, and sets up a process for public input and municipal applications to select participating towns. The initiative is designed to run for ten years, with the goal of increasing the supply of small-scale homes that meet affordability standards for moderate and low-income residents as well.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program by creating a new State Health Benefits Commission with 13 members. The commission will include existing state officials, representatives from local and higher education employers, and members appointed by various public employee unions, including specific seats for police and firefighters. A key provision is the addition of a non-voting expert member selected by the other commissioners to provide independent advice on health care plan design. The bill also establishes a new committee to assist with plan design and outlines how members will be appointed, serve terms, and manage conflicts of interest. Ultimately, the legislation aims to broaden representation and oversight in how the state manages health benefits for its employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new 25-member Council for Community Recovery and Family Success within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (though operating independently). The council, funded with $4.0 million, will develop a coordinated approach to prevent family crises by focusing on early intervention, family support, and child well-being - shifting from current crisis-response services. It includes state agency leaders, community advocates, and residents from underserved areas, with members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker. The council will create a work plan and budget to advance preventive services aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools to prominently display a direct link to the subsidized school meals application on their official websites. It directly affects public schools by adding this website posting requirement to existing rules about meal applications. The key provision mandates that schools place the link in a visible location on their internet sites, making it easier for families to access the application. This change aims to improve accessibility to school meal programs without altering eligibility rules or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the microscopic algae species *Aulacoseira newjerseyana* as the official state diatom of New Jersey. The legislation directly affects the state's symbolic recognition of aquatic life by formally naming this specific freshwater organism, which was discovered in 2022 in the state's Highlands ecoregion. The primary mechanism is a simple designation that adds this species to the state's list of official symbols, honoring its ecological importance and the scientists who identified it. No new laws, regulations, or funding are created; the bill serves solely to acknowledge the species' presence and significance within New Jersey's natural environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students observing Ramadan to substitute required physical education classes with an instructional course or study hall during the marking period containing Ramadan. Students must provide written notice to their principal before schedule creation, and the substitute must award the same graduation credits as physical education. It also permits student-athletes to be excused from sports, intramural, or cheerleading programs during Ramadan by submitting written notice to their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The bill takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill amends state law to officially include accounting as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject for educational programs. It updates two existing statutes - specifically P.L.2021, c.76 and P.L.2021, c.239 - to add "accounting" to the definition of STEM fields. This change expands eligibility for state-funded initiatives supporting underrepresented students (such as women and minorities) in higher education recruitment and K-12 outreach programs focused on STEM careers. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts statutory language to ensure accounting degrees and careers qualify for existing STEM-related support.