Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Intern Protection Act (A1623) extends legal protections to interns by adding them to existing anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws. It defines an intern as anyone performing temporary work that provides training or experience under supervision, regardless of whether they're paid. The bill ensures interns cannot be discriminated against based on characteristics like race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability, and cannot face retaliation for reporting workplace violations. This expands protections from the Law Against Discrimination, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, and Worker Freedom From Employer Intimidation Act to cover interns. Employers must post notices about intern rights and provide remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and attorney's fees for violations.

Maddy summaryBill A1605 requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to publish a comprehensive list of its services and supports on the Department of Human Services website and provide it in print upon request. The list must detail all programs (including the Supports Program, Community Care Waiver, and self-directed services), eligibility criteria (such as Medicaid requirements and care level assessments), and available resources like transitional planning and guardianship services. DDD must regularly update the list to reflect current offerings and prominently share information about public webinars or presentations to help individuals access services. This bill directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities and their families seeking support through DDD-funded programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public community water systems (serving at least 15 connections or 25 year-round residents) to provide specific lead-related information to customers. It mandates that water systems include details about lead sources, health effects, and reduction measures in annual Consumer Confidence Reports (as required by federal law), and send written notices to new customers within 90 days of service. Additionally, systems must notify all customers 48 hours before lead pipe work (or as soon as practicable in emergencies), including temporary water safety risks and mitigation steps. All notices must align with guidelines published by the Department of Environmental Protection within 120 days of the bill's effective date. The law directly affects residents, businesses, and institutions receiving water from covered systems across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create mandatory maternity care standards for general hospitals licensed to provide maternity services. The standards must focus on patient safety throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, aiming to reduce negative health events and racial disparities in outcomes. Hospitals must comply with these standards as a condition of their licensure. The standards will be based on national best practices from groups like the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health and must be updated as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to follow specific steps when a student's meal bill is unpaid. Districts must first try to enroll students in free or reduced-price meal programs before notifying parents, and include meal program applications with any notice. It prohibits schools from shaming students (e.g., making them wait in line) or threatening child protective services over unpaid bills. Districts must report twice a year on how many students are denied meals due to unpaid bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to create a three-year pilot program providing summer school reading instruction to students not reading at grade level by the end of second grade in selected school districts. It appropriates $1 million to fund the program, requiring participating districts to submit applications detailing their current summer school participation and student enrollment. The Commissioner will select two districts per region (north, central, south) to ensure representation across urban, suburban, and rural areas. At the program's conclusion, the Commissioner must submit a report evaluating its effectiveness and recommending whether to expand it statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certified solar panel installers to place solar photovoltaic panels on noise barriers along New Jersey roads and highways. It requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to permit these installations and establish rules covering access, costs, liability, and fees for installers. The bill specifies that these installations count toward state greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. The policy directly affects certified solar installers, state transportation agencies, and highway noise barriers across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily eliminates the requirement for public school employees in New Jersey school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects to reside in the state for a three-year period. During this time, newly hired employees do not need to live in New Jersey, and those who maintain or establish a residence outside the state during the period will not be required to relocate after the three years end, regardless of future residence changes or employment breaks. The Department of Education must submit a report to the governor and legislature 90 days after the three-year period, evaluating the policy's effectiveness, unintended consequences, and potential legislative recommendations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2773 requires domestic violence offenders to surrender firearms and have their firearm permits revoked upon conviction or when a restraining order is issued. It mandates courts to order immediate firearm surrender within 5 business days, allowing 10 days for licensed dealers to take possession of surrendered firearms. Law enforcement must properly store surrendered firearms and may charge defendants for storage costs. The bill also requires courts to search domestic violence records before issuing restraining orders to check for firearm ownership and ensures records are cross-referenced to prevent offenders from retaining firearms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create standardized protocols for hospitals and licensed birthing centers to collect de-identified maternity care data. It mandates tracking specific metrics including maternal demographics, complications (like preeclampsia or hemorrhage), delivery methods (inductions, C-sections), infant outcomes (birth weight, birth defects), and gestational age. The DOH must analyze this data annually to identify quality improvements, establish statewide benchmarks for care, and compare hospital performance against those standards. The DOH will report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of enactment and annually thereafter.