Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey students receiving tuition aid grants (TAG) or opportunity grants (EOF) to use part of their annual award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (TAG) or the Secretary of Higher Education (EOF) before the academic year starts, and their regular academic year payments will be reduced proportionally. Institutions must annually report how many students used summer grants and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. The policy directly affects students in the state's grant programs and requires transparency in grant usage and outcomes, without counting summer use toward eligibility limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to create and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the New Jersey State House Complex. The plan must include specific measures like improving energy efficiency (using Energy Star products and alternative energy), water conservation, adopting green building standards, using sustainable food services (like locally sourced foods and compostable utensils), and reducing carbon emissions. The Commission must update the plan every four years, issue annual public progress reports online, and track performance metrics. This requirement directly affects all operations and management of the State House Complex, including maintenance, renovations, and contracting decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to expand paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities in New Jersey, focusing on areas not well-served by the existing Access Link program. It requires the Transportation Commissioner to designate three regions (north, central, and south), prioritize community-based organizations serving seniors/disabled individuals, and set strict standards for providers (including insurance, vehicle safety, staff training, and 15-minute pickup guarantees). Approved providers must maintain detailed service logs and report on wait times and complaints. After the pilot, the Transportation and Human Services Commissioners must submit a report evaluating the program’s success and recommending whether to make it permanent statewide. The bill directly affects seniors, people with disabilities, and community-based transportation providers seeking to participate.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A-1522 reduces mandatory parking requirements for new residential developments based on their distance to public transportation. The bill requires a 20% reduction in parking spaces for developments within 0.5-1 mile of transit, 30% for 0.25-0.5 miles, and 50% within 0.25 miles of rail stations, bus routes (with five or more regular routes), or bus stops (with 15+ stops). This directly affects residential developers building near qualifying transit infrastructure across the state. The policy aims to encourage transit-oriented development by lowering construction costs for projects close to public transportation. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to require public agencies to redact email addresses from records released to the public. It directly affects anyone requesting government records, as email addresses will now be treated as confidential information - similar to social security numbers or driver's license details. The key provision adds "e-mail address" explicitly to the list of data that must be removed from public records under OPRA. This change applies to all public records maintained by state and local government entities. The bill does not alter other confidentiality rules or create new exemptions beyond email addresses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Graduate Physician" licensing category in New Jersey for medical school graduates who haven't completed residency training. It requires applicants to meet specific criteria (e.g., accredited medical school graduation, one year clinical practice, passing licensing exams, no disqualifying criminal history) and limits their practice to primary care in medically underserved areas under a collaborative arrangement with a fully licensed physician. Graduate physicians must wear identification tags, use specific clinical record notations, and cannot practice without a supervising physician except in emergencies. The license does not require more continuing education than standard physician licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $10 million from the off-budget Universal Service Fund to the NJSHARES-S.M.A.R.T. Program for utility payment assistance in New Jersey's fiscal year 2026. It directly helps low-income homeowners and renters facing financial hardship by providing grants to cover past-due utility bills (arrearages) and ongoing payments. The program requires applicants not to receive duplicate benefits from private insurance or other existing aid programs. The funding supplements a prior $5 million General Fund appropriation for the same program, directing the Commissioner of Community Affairs to establish quick-processing guidelines for eligible residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a background check reveals someone is prohibited from buying firearms or ammunition. Specifically, if a background check shows a person has a criminal record, domestic violence conviction, or other disqualifying history (as defined in N.J.S. 2C:39-7), the State Police must inform the local chief law enforcement officer. Retail gun dealers must run these background checks and submit results to the State Police, who then trigger the local notification. The law applies to all firearm and ammunition purchases requiring a background check, directly affecting dealers, State Police, and local police departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom in locations like lecture halls, residence halls, and libraries. Institutions must offer a variety of products - regular to super-plus, ultra-thin to overnight, and allergy-friendly options - and install dispensers or maintain existing ones that provide free access. The bill also mandates educational materials about toxic shock syndrome and proper disposal, with the state covering all costs through an $85,000 appropriation to the Office of Higher Education. Public institutions must submit reimbursement requests for expenses incurred.