Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury and Department of Human Services to annually identify unspent state funds available for NJ FamilyCare, evaluate care quality for beneficiaries, and create a prioritized list of the 12 most urgent improvements needed to address deficiencies. It directly affects low-income residents enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (which covers Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program services) by mandating state agencies to report findings to the Governor and Legislature each year. The key mechanism involves compiling a list of specific policy changes or legislative actions requiring state funding to fix quality-of-care issues, alongside the estimated costs for each initiative. The report must include all available unallocated funds for the current fiscal year to support these improvements. This annual process aims to improve program oversight without changing eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey state income tax credit for child care staff and registered family day care providers. Eligible workers must have worked continuously for six months in their current role and directly supervise children. The credit amount varies by income level (ranging from $500 to $1,500 annually) and depends on whether they care for infants/toddlers (under 30 months) or older children, with higher credits for infant care. To qualify for the full infant care credit, workers must spend at least 50% of their time providing direct child care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey registrars to issue certified electronic copies of vital records - including birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, and civil union certificates - alongside traditional paper copies. It specifies that authorized requesters (such as the record subject, family members, government agencies, or legal representatives) can receive these electronic copies upon request. The Commissioner of Health must establish security standards for electronic copies, including encryption, identity verification, data privacy protocols, and authentication features to prevent forgery. Registrars may charge fees for electronic copies but must ensure they meet the same legal standards as paper certified copies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to create and maintain a publicly accessible list of all its programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The list must include detailed descriptions of each program (like home-based supports, group homes, and self-directed services), eligibility requirements (including Medicaid needs and care level assessments), and information on transitional planning and guardianship. DDD must post this list on its website, provide it in print upon request, and update it regularly to reflect current offerings. It also mandates that DDD promote webinars or presentations to help people access these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary program for commercial farms in New Jersey to safely collect, transport, and dispose of unused pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, as well as recycle their containers. The program requires the Department of Environmental Protection to place collection sites across all three regions of the state, host at least two collection events annually per site, and contract with qualified waste handlers. It also mandates an annual public report detailing program participation, environmental benefits, and funding, while requiring the Department of Agriculture to run a public education campaign about collection locations and benefits. Participation is optional for farms, and the program must comply with existing pesticide disposal laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct 50% of their E-ZPass toll payments for New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) tolls - covering the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway - from their state gross income. It excludes fines, penalties, administrative fees, and reimbursed amounts from the deduction calculation. The deduction applies to taxable years starting January 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects NJ residents who pay tolls via E-ZPass for NJTA roads, providing a tax benefit for those expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law (P.L.1995, c.63) that prohibited public colleges from adding funds for legislative agents or organizations to student tuition bills. It directly affects students at New Jersey public colleges, removing a restriction that previously barred mandatory assessments for groups seeking to influence legislation. The repealed law had allowed optional student fees for nonpartisan legislative organizations only if approved by a student referendum, with specific disclosure requirements. This bill eliminates that requirement, allowing institutions to assess funds for legislative activities without those restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to expand the MyNJHelps online platform into a single centralized system for all state public assistance programs within 365 days. It mandates that the platform become the sole online hub where applicants can access information about, apply for, and check the status of all state programs - including SNAP, WFNJ, NJFamilyCare, healthcare, food assistance, housing aid, and more - using one unified application. The bill specifies that existing program administrators (like those for Medicaid or food stamps) will remain unchanged, but the platform must enable all agencies to share applicant data securely for eligibility decisions. This directly affects low-income New Jersey residents applying for state benefits by simplifying access to multiple programs through a single digital portal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires four-year public colleges in New Jersey to create and maintain a reproductive health services plan for students, while county colleges must establish a referral network to off-campus reproductive health providers. The plan must ensure access to contraception (including emergency contraception via vending machines or 24-hour options), STI/HIV testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion services through campus clinics or verified referrals. It specifically addresses student barriers like limited pharmacy access and lack of transportation by mandating campus-based options and community referrals. The bill does not require institutions to directly provide abortion services but ensures students can access care through structured pathways.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.