Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1143 establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental disability service programs. The COLA, based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI) from October 1 to September 30 (as published by the U.S. Department of Labor), must be included in state contracts for these programs starting on the bill's effective date. This applies to all state-funded programs - whether fully or partially Medicaid-funded - that are licensed or approved by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Department must announce the annual COLA rate each October 1, ensuring service providers receive regular inflation-based funding increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission to establish a five-year pilot program providing arts education to juvenile offenders in detention and correction facilities. The Commission must select three organizations through a competitive process to develop model arts programs - partnering with arts groups, community agencies, and private entities - each required to secure its own five-year funding. These programs will be evaluated annually for four years to measure improvements in critical thinking, self-esteem, cultural understanding, and educational outcomes, with the Commission then recommending to the Governor and Legislature whether to expand the program statewide.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies and health plans to cover medical expenses for children and teens under 18 with diagnosed complex medical needs. It mandates coverage for necessary medical services, equipment, prescriptions, and nursing care when a licensed doctor deems it medically required, and prohibits insurers from demanding pre-approvals or precertifications for these covered services. Insurers must approve such coverage within three business days of receiving a doctor's letter confirming medical necessity. The bill defines "complex medical needs" as conditions that are emergent, life-threatening, substantially disabling, require specialized care, or involve high-risk treatments. This applies to all health plans issued or purchased in New Jersey, including state employee and school employee programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1388) requires certain healthcare providers in New Jersey - including physicians, nurses, and midwives - to conduct regular intimate partner violence screenings of patients using evidence-based guidelines. If a provider identifies potential abuse, they must document findings, provide local victim resources and referrals during the same visit, and update the patient’s medical record access permissions to prevent abusers from obtaining copies. The Department of Children and Families and Department of Health must maintain and update regional resource lists for providers. The law directly affects patients experiencing intimate partner violence and healthcare professionals who document such cases.

Maddy summaryThe bill transfers oversight of certified nurse aides from the Department of Health to the New Jersey Board of Nursing. It establishes nursing residency programs with $4 million in annual funding for facilities to support new nurses, creates a $25 million grant program for nursing education expansion, and funds a $1.2 million mental health support program including a nurse-to-nurse peer helpline. The bill also requires new surveys for nurses and nursing programs to collect demographic, training, and employment data. These provisions aim to strengthen the nursing workforce through better training, support, and data-driven decision-making.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems to notify customers and local officials (including schools, hospitals, and municipalities) within 30 days if PFAS levels in drinking water exceed a safe limit, explaining health risks and directing them to an educational program. Landlords must share these notices with tenants within 3 business days and post them prominently in rental properties. The state's environmental agency must create an online educational program about PFAS health effects and mitigation steps, updated annually on its website. These requirements take effect 18 months after enactment, with the educational program starting within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct every five years a review of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water that are not currently regulated under state or federal law. It specifically mandates two assessments: one to determine if new safety standards are needed for unregulated PFAS, and another to evaluate whether existing PFAS standards adequately protect children, who may be more vulnerable due to their body size and higher water intake relative to weight. The DEP must then submit written reports of these findings to the Governor, the Legislature, and publish them online for public access. This directly affects the DEP's regulatory process and aims to inform future drinking water safety policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans residing in New Jersey's state-run veterans' residential facilities (including memorial homes and Veterans Haven facilities) to have dogs certified as either service animals or emotional support animals. It permits these animals without requiring federal-level service animal training standards for emotional support animals, which federal VA policy does not cover. Facilities must verify documentation confirming the animal's training, task description, and current rabies/core vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2). Other animals are prohibited unless for law enforcement or specific VA research purposes, and facilities may restrict or remove animals only for safety reasons like aggression or health risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits organizing, promoting, or participating in competitive events (such as contests with prizes) where participants harass or take specific wildlife - including coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and other listed animals - except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to six months in jail, $1,000 fine) plus a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and possession privileges. Injured wildlife must be transported to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife becomes the property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The law applies broadly to events not covered by existing field trial permits, targeting commercialized wildlife competitions.