Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes two key mechanisms to address youth disconnection (young adults aged 16-24 not in school or employment): 1) A Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson, appointed by the Governor and reporting to the Education Commissioner, to develop statewide strategies for preventing disconnection and reconnecting affected youth. 2) A 25-member School Disconnection Prevention Task Force, including school leaders, youth advocates, and agency representatives, to analyze causes of disconnection, research solutions, and recommend best practices to school districts. The Ombudsperson must annually report progress to the Governor and Legislature, while the Task Force must issue a final report within nine months of forming, with follow-up accountability for implementation. This directly affects over 100,000 disconnected youth identified in New Jersey, focusing on systemic prevention and reconnection through cross-agency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct 50% of their E-ZPass toll payments for New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) tolls - including Turnpike and Garden State Parkway tolls - from their taxable income. It applies to amounts paid through electronic toll systems like E-ZPass, excluding fines, administrative fees, or reimbursed amounts. Taxpayers cannot claim deductions for tolls already deductible under other business or partnership tax rules. The deduction takes effect immediately for taxable years beginning January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to include an environmental sustainability plan within their existing long-range facilities plans. The plan must detail specific actions like improving energy efficiency (reducing emissions, using renewable energy), committing to sustainable procurement of school supplies and electronics, and creating a strategy to transition school bus fleets to electric vehicles. School districts must incorporate this plan into their facilities plans by the end of the first full school year after the bill takes effect and make it publicly accessible online. Districts must also annually report on progress toward their sustainability goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, providing two years of tuition support (up to $2,000 annually, totaling $4,000) at county colleges for eligible high school graduates. Students must earn a "School Counts certificate" by meeting strict criteria: 95%+ attendance, C+ GPA, completing extra credits beyond graduation requirements, finishing high school in 8 semesters (or per IEP), and passing Algebra I. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees (up to full cost of attendance), requires prior application for other aid, and mandates enrollment within six months of graduation. Funding combines state appropriations, county college contributions, and private donations, with program rollout starting at four colleges (one per region) and expanding to all 11 county colleges over time.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A2374 establishes the New Jersey State Parks and Open Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization separate from state government. The foundation will raise tax-deductible funds to support specific improvements and programming in state, county, and municipal parks and open spaces - including park renovations, accessibility enhancements, and educational activities - beyond routine operations. Governed by a 12-member board (including state officials and public members with environmental expertise), it must direct all funds to projects that expand recreational access, conservation, and equitable use of park resources. All funds raised supplement, but do not replace, existing state and federal park funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to provide fee-for-service coverage for long-term care services (like those from assisted living residences or personal care homes) to beneficiaries who are already eligible for Medicaid's managed long-term services program but are waiting up to 60 days to enroll in a managed care organization (MCO). It ensures no payment gap exists during this transition period, starting from the date of eligibility and ending when MCO enrollment begins. The bill formalizes an existing Medicaid policy to prevent service disruptions for vulnerable residents awaiting MCO enrollment. It directs the state to seek necessary federal approvals to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" in New Jersey's General Fund, funded by $500 for every electric vehicle sold in the state during the prior fiscal year. The fund will support repurposing, remanufacturing, and recycling of electric vehicle batteries - such as using used batteries for stationary energy storage - through environmentally safe processes. It directly affects entities handling battery lifecycle management, including companies and programs focused on second-life battery applications. The policy aims to prevent toxic materials like lithium and cobalt from contaminating landfills while extending battery utility.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental transportation aid to New Jersey school districts participating in the interdistrict public school choice program that are located in cities of the second class and have been ordered by the New Jersey Supreme Court to desegregate. These districts (called "choice districts") must arrange transportation for students from other districts ("sending districts") who live more than two miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from the choice school, if the school is within 20 miles of the student's home. The sending district receives state transportation aid for these students and pays it directly to the choice district. If the choice district's actual transportation costs exceed the state aid received, it may get supplemental state aid by demonstrating cost-efficient routing (like centralized pick-ups for multiple districts) and reporting annual cost differences to the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the safe distance for bow and arrow hunting near occupied buildings and school playgrounds from 150 feet to 450 feet. It requires property owners allowing hunting on their land to provide written notice and obtain written confirmation from adjacent property owners at least 24 hours in advance of any hunting activity. The law directly affects private property owners who permit hunting and neighboring residents who may be impacted by hunting near their homes. Named the "Restoring Safety Buffer Law," it aims to prevent incidents like the accidental arrow shooting of a dog near a home, by increasing safety buffers and requiring neighbor notification.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A2276 establishes a domestic violence prevention program within the Department of Health (DOH) to help health care providers identify and support patients experiencing domestic violence. The program requires health care professionals - including doctors, nurses, and other licensed providers - to undergo training on screening patients for domestic violence signs, documenting concerns, and connecting victims with local resources. It also mandates the development of educational materials for both providers and patients, along with data collection to evaluate the program's effectiveness and annual reporting to the legislature. This initiative directly affects health care providers treating patients in New Jersey and aims to improve early intervention for domestic violence victims.