Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits hotels from providing guests with personal care products in single-use plastic containers under specific conditions. Large hotels with 50 or more rooms must stop offering these items in guest rooms and shared bathrooms six months after the law takes effect, while all hotels must comply within one year. The legislation allows hotels to provide such products only upon a guest's specific request and only in areas outside of sleeping rooms or shared bathrooms. Violations of these rules can result in a warning for the first offense and fines of up to $1,500 for subsequent offenses, while also preventing local governments from creating their own conflicting regulations on this issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's public health insurance program, to cover prescriptions for healthy foods for certain enrollees. It defines a food prescription as a written order from a healthcare provider for specific foods to treat diet-related health conditions. The legislation amends existing state laws to establish a program that supports small food retailers and pharmacies in stocking and selling fresh produce and other nutritious items at affordable prices. By covering these food prescriptions, the bill aims to improve access to healthy foods for low-income residents, particularly those in areas with limited grocery options. The changes apply to NJ FamilyCare participants who receive healthcare provider prescriptions for specific healthy foods as part of their treatment plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to identify and publicly post on its website employment opportunities with minimal entry barriers for people returning to work after incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who face employment challenges like employer stigma and lack of educational opportunities. The key mechanism is DOLWD's ongoing duty to list jobs that have low barriers to entry and high demand. The bill aims to improve reintegration into the workforce by making accessible job listings available to this population, without specifying how employers will be engaged or how success will be measured.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Family Development to maintain a waiting list for income-eligible applicants whose child care assistance applications cannot be processed immediately due to limited funding. It mandates the division to create procedures for adding applicants to the list, notify them when funding becomes available (including via website), and publish an annual report tracking key metrics like applications received, approvals, and those placed on the waiting list. The law directly affects low-income families seeking state child care assistance who face funding delays. The report must be published online and submitted to the Governor and Legislature annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to inspect all state highway traffic signs at least once every year to ensure they are properly maintained, legible, and visible. The Department must keep records of these inspections and submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing the findings. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a public awareness campaign to educate citizens on how to report missing, damaged, or hard-to-see traffic signs. These measures aim to improve road safety by keeping signage in good condition and encouraging public participation in reporting issues.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits the use of glyphosate herbicide on all state and county-owned properties. It allows for limited exceptions, such as when there is no risk of human exposure and no other practical alternatives exist, or when the herbicide is needed to maintain critical infrastructure, ensure public safety, manage habitats, control invasive species, or support specific research. To enforce this rule, the Department of Environmental Protection must create regulations outlining permitted uses and maintain a public online record of any glyphosate applications that occur under these exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires school districts receiving specific preschool grants to partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs to offer free preschool services. The law limits the number of preschool classrooms a district can operate in a single building to two, with any additional spots provided through these community partnerships. Districts must use a competitive bidding process to select partners and must meet high-quality standards set by the Department of Education. The bill also directs the state to provide technical assistance and funding to help these providers meet quality requirements, with priority given to those in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state agency called the New Jersey Justice Center to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by caregivers. The Justice Center will be led by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor and will develop policies to ensure high standards of care and investigate incidents within state-funded programs. Key provisions include defining what constitutes abuse and neglect, establishing a medical review board to examine cases, and allowing the center to accept grants and hire staff to carry out its duties. The legislation aims to harmonize investigation procedures across different care systems and improve the overall quality of services provided to these individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses in New Jersey that receive financial aid from the Economic Development Authority to stop paying different wages to men and women for similar work. To comply, these companies must follow new rules and submit written proof to the Authority showing they do not discriminate based on sex when setting pay. The law defines gender discrimination as paying one sex less than the other for jobs requiring similar skill, effort, and responsibility. It applies to various business types, including corporations, partnerships, and non-profits, that receive loans, grants, or tax incentives from the state agency.