Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that individuals charged with domestic violence involving strangulation must be detained before trial. If a court finds probable cause that a defendant committed aggravated assault by strangling a domestic violence victim, they would typically remain in custody pending trial. The defendant can challenge this presumption by demonstrating with a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably ensure their appearance in court and protect others. This specifically applies to cases where strangulation was used as a method of domestic violence assault, which is already classified as a third-degree crime under New Jersey law. The presumption can be overcome with sufficient evidence presented at a hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners or operators of "high hazard trains" (those transporting 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of other hazardous substances) to submit detailed discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection within six months. The plans must include emergency response measures, equipment inventories, personnel qualifications, environmental protection strategies for sensitive areas, and annual emergency response drills. Owners/operators must also provide training to local emergency personnel and maintain evidence of financial responsibility for cleanup costs. The bill establishes civil penalties up to $25,000 per day for violations and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to annually request bridge inspection reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program in Union City, Trenton, and Camden to address open cockloft spaces between buildings through weatherization and energy efficiency improvements. It appropriates $30 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds ($10 million to each city) to cover the costs of installing fire-rated separations and other energy efficiency measures. Low- and moderate-income homeowners will receive these improvements at no cost, while other property owners may pay through a 10-year property tax special assessment. The program requires municipalities to conduct building inventories, implement safety measures, and report annually on the program's effectiveness to the legislature. The initiative aims to reduce energy costs, improve fire safety, and evaluate the feasibility of a broader statewide program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to grant up to 10 excused absences per school year for students experiencing symptoms of specific menstrual disorders, including dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, menorrhagia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. These absences must be recorded as excused on attendance records, won't count toward chronic absence thresholds (10% missed days), and students must be allowed to make up missed work. Schools may request medical documentation to verify the need for these absences. The bill aims to address absenteeism linked to menstrual health challenges by ensuring these absences are recognized as legitimate.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey-based small businesses during their first three years of profitability. Qualified businesses (those registered in NJ, with no more than 50 employees in their first year, and under $100,000 net income) receive credits equal to 75% of their tax liability in the first year, 50% in the second year, and 25% in the third year. Businesses must obtain pre-approval from the Division of Taxation before applying for these credits, and the credits can only be used to offset tax liability for the specific year they apply to. The bill aims to reduce tax burdens during critical early years of business operation to support growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence with copies of specific records upon request, including police photos, body camera footage, 9-1-1 recordings, and police reports. Victims or their legal representatives can request these records within 10 calendar days at no cost, with records to be provided electronically or in paper form as requested. If records can't be provided within 10 days, agencies may request additional time from the court but must deliver within 24 hours once available. The bill clarifies that this right supplements existing open public records access under OPRA and requires courts to note record access delays during domestic violence hearings. This policy directly affects domestic violence victims seeking evidence to support their cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to encourage health care facilities and licensed professionals (like pediatricians and family practice doctors) to implement a "Reach Out and Read Program" during well-child visits for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The DOH must provide resources, including printed materials and a website link, to help facilities adopt this evidence-based program. The program aims to promote early literacy by encouraging parents to read with their children, develop language and social skills, strengthen parent-child bonds, and provide health care professionals with tools to monitor child development. It directly affects pediatric providers, health care facilities, and families with young children in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates 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 current Access Link program. It requires the state to designate three regions (southern, northern, central) and approve community-based organizations (prioritizing those serving seniors/disabled) to provide services under strict rules, including insurance coverage, vehicle standards (minimum four passengers plus driver), background checks, and a 15-minute pick-up commitment. Approved providers must maintain detailed service records (passenger logs, wait times, complaints) and complete staff training on serving people with disabilities. After the pilot, the state must report to the legislature on the program’s success and whether to make it permanent statewide.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 62, introduced by New Jersey Assemblywomen Ellen J. Park and Shama A. Haider, urges the U.S. Congress to adopt the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The resolution cites recent state-level voting restrictions - such as photo ID requirements and reduced mail-in ballot access - as evidence of the need for federal action to strengthen voting rights protections. It will be formally transmitted to all New Jersey members of Congress and congressional leadership, emphasizing the importance of voting rights following the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and record voter turnout in New Jersey's 2020 election.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects eligible disabled veterans who own a vehicle not used for hire. The law requires the Adjutant General and the Motor Vehicle Commission to notify these veterans about the fee exemption. The exemption applies to vehicles registered in the veteran's name and does not cover commercial vehicles. The bill amends existing law to update eligibility criteria and add the notification requirement.