Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, import, export, and propagation of 31 specific invasive plant species (including Japanese barberry, English ivy, and Japanese wisteria) in New Jersey, directly affecting nurseries, garden centers, landscapers, and anyone importing or selling these plants. It establishes a New Jersey Invasive Species Council to advise state agencies and develop rules for future prohibitions, with key timelines starting 13 months after enactment for propagation/import and 49 months for sales. Certain exempt cultivars (like specific Japanese barberry varieties) may still be sold but must include educational labels about invasive species. The law aims to protect New Jersey's ecosystems, natural resources, and public health by preventing the spread of harmful non-native plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's post-election audit procedures to enhance election integrity. It requires the Secretary of State to appoint an independent audit team each year to oversee manual or third-party electronic audits of voter-verifiable paper records for federal, statewide, and selected local elections. Audits must cover at least 2% of election districts (with exemptions for smaller elections) and must meet strict statistical standards: ensuring 99% confidence for statewide races and 90% for others that a full manual recount wouldn’t change results. The audit team must include statistical and auditing experts, with strict rules barring campaign staff or voting system vendors from participation. These changes directly affect county election officials who must conduct the audits and the Secretary of State who appoints the teams.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. It mandates redirecting unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security programs like soup kitchens and pantries, while ensuring all food safety standards are met during handling and transfer. Each institution must also submit annual reports on their food donations to the Governor and Legislature, posting them publicly online. The law applies directly to every public higher education campus in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. These programs must redirect unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security groups like soup kitchens and pantries, while following food safety standards. Each institution must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing their contributions and post these reports online. The law applies directly to every public higher education campus in New Jersey, aiming to reduce waste and support community food needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens oversight of residential facilities serving people with developmental disabilities by authorizing New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to impose fines for safety violations, such as failing background checks, not investigating abuse, or operating without a license. It establishes the "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" within DHS, funded by these fines (up to $25,000 per violation for serious incidents like abuse with major injury), to support quality improvement initiatives, licensing, and regulatory actions. The bill directly affects authorized providers (contracted service agencies) and licensed providers operating residential facilities, requiring them to meet stricter compliance standards. Penalties include fines, suspension of payments, or restrictions on admissions for repeated violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to expand the existing NJ Statewide Student Support Services program to include eating disorder awareness, prevention, and counseling services for students in grades K-12. It directs the 15 regional service hubs contracted with DCF to first assess community needs for these services and then develop policies to provide them through a three-tiered system: universal workshops for all students (Tier 1), targeted group programs (Tier 2), and individual clinical support for those in need (Tier 3). The program would integrate these services into current school-based mental health support structures without creating new entities. The bill applies directly to K-12 students and their families across New Jersey through existing school support networks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of cosmetics, carpets, and fabric treatments containing intentionally added PFAS (forever chemicals) starting two years after enactment. It also requires cookware manufacturers to notify consumers if their products contain PFAS. The law directly affects manufacturers of these consumer goods and aims to reduce human exposure to PFAS, which accumulate in the environment and are linked to health issues like cancer. The bill mandates state-funded research and educational programs about PFAS to protect public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows families or guardians of individuals up to age 21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by their contracted service agency for use during holidays or weekends. It directly affects families receiving family support services through agencies contracted with New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care. The key provision requires the Division to permit setting aside unused "agency-after school care" hours - defined as social/recreational activities provided by community agencies during non-school hours outside the home - for holiday and weekend use. The bill does not create new services but changes how existing unused hours may be utilized. It takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens oversight of facilities providing care to people with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. It creates a "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" in the Department of Human Services (DHS), funded by fines collected from service providers who violate rules. Key provisions include imposing penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations like administrative neglect, failure to conduct required background checks, or not reporting abuse, and requiring providers to submit internal investigation reports within 180 days. The bill directly affects licensed residential providers and authorized service agencies operating under DHS contracts, enhancing DHS's authority to enforce standards through fines and corrective actions.