Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1941) requires the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking to expand public awareness signage about human trafficking to 12 new types of establishments, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The signage must display the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline number and meet specific size (8.5" x 11") and language (English/Spanish) requirements. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects all covered establishments by mandating visible signage to educate the public on trafficking resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to reveal their facial identity during public interactions (e.g., stops, patrols) and present clear identification before detaining or arresting someone. Officers must show one of four acceptable forms of ID: a uniform with agency insignia, a photo ID card, a numbered badge, or verbally state their name and agency. Exceptions apply for undercover work, medical masks with physician approval, smoke protection during emergencies, or situations where revealing ID could compromise investigations, safety, or stealth operations. The law applies to all officers (federal, state, local) and directly affects members of the public during police encounters, aiming to increase transparency during interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges and law enforcement officers in New Jersey to receive training on coercive control as part of their existing domestic violence education. It affects municipal and Superior Court judges handling domestic violence cases, judicial personnel, and all law enforcement officers, mandating initial training within 90 days of appointment or transfer and annual in-service training. The training must cover recognizing indicators of coercive control - defined as patterns like isolating victims, monitoring movements, or threatening harm - and other key topics such as trauma-informed approaches and safety planning. The bill amends current law to update training curricula without creating new penalties or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement in New Jersey. It removes the test from graduation standards, so students no longer need to pass it to receive a diploma, and school districts no longer need to administer it. The bill also amends school district report cards to remove test results and eliminates the requirement for out-of-school youth to pass the test for a State endorsed diploma. This directly affects all New Jersey high school students, school districts, and out-of-school youth seeking diplomas by changing graduation requirements from a standardized test to local standards developed by school boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retailers who sell tobacco or vapor products to people under 21. First violations now carry $500 fines (up from $250), second violations $1,000 (up from $500), and third or subsequent violations $2,000 (up from $1,000). Small businesses with clear compliance policies pay only $100 for the first violation. Five percent of collected fines will fund public education on vapor product dangers and illegal sales. Retailers must also post new signs at points of sale and vending machines warning that selling to minors is prohibited.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits received by a child in out-of-home placement (such as foster care) to reimburse the state for the child's care costs. Instead, DCF must use these benefits - like Social Security or Veterans benefits - to cover the child's unmet needs (e.g., medical or educational expenses beyond state coverage) or save them in a dedicated account for the child's future. DCF is required to apply for federal benefits on behalf of eligible children, maintain separate accounts for these funds, and provide annual reports to the child, parents, and court on their use. The law ensures children's federal benefits directly support their personal needs and future, rather than offsetting state expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a 5% down payment requirement for New Jersey local governments issuing bonds to fund hazard mitigation and resilience projects, such as flood protection or climate adaptation efforts. It also removes the need for these projects to seek approval from the Local Finance Board regarding bond repayment schedules. The exemption applies specifically to projects funded by state grants (like Green Acres) or loans from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. This change aims to simplify financing for communities working on critical infrastructure to address natural disasters.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5862 appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. The funds will provide planning incentive grants to eligible counties - specifically five counties receiving base grants of $500,000-$1 million, plus 10 additional counties eligible for competitive grants - to cover up to 80% of costs for permanent land protections (development easements) on farmland. The grants are administered through the State Agriculture Development Committee under the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with a county’s maximum total award capped at $8.5 million. This bill directly affects participating counties in agricultural areas by enabling local governments to preserve farmland through permanent land protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program and Plan First program to cover fertility preservation services for individuals whose fertility may be impaired by medically necessary treatments like cancer therapy. It defines "iatrogenic infertility" as fertility loss caused by medical treatments affecting reproductive organs, and specifies that covered services include storage of sperm, eggs, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. The coverage must be provided without discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, making these often-expensive services accessible to low-to-moderate income patients who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Maddy summaryAJR 150 designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution encourages community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects - conditions affecting about 1 in 1,700 babies in the U.S. - and promote collaboration on outreach and research. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to support this awareness effort. The resolution directly affects New Jersey residents and families impacted by these birth defects by fostering community engagement and education.