Asm. Lisa Swain

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for creating, sharing, or possessing digital content depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children - including computer-generated or manipulated images that appear to show minors. It specifically targets items where a child (under 18) is identifiable by face, likeness, or distinguishing features, or where a person is manipulated to look like a minor ("purported child"). The law prohibits distributing such content via the internet or file-sharing programs, and makes possessing it with intent to share a crime. It directly affects individuals who produce, distribute, or share these materials online, regardless of whether the child is real or digitally altered.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a symbolic resolution that recognizes the history of women's suffrage in New Jersey, honoring the first women who voted in the state more than 200 years ago. It highlights key historical moments, including the 1776 constitution that granted voting rights to certain women, the 1790 law that solidified these rights, and the 1807 law that restricted suffrage to white men. The resolution also acknowledges the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment and the decades of activism by New Jersey women that preceded it. Copies of the resolution will be sent to women's organizations and the National Women's History Museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new flooring installations in schools, community centers, and licensed child care centers to be certified mercury-free by the manufacturer. It applies to all facilities using identified mercury-risk flooring materials, including existing buildings where such flooring was installed before current occupancy. Key provisions mandate certification for permits, require air quality testing if mercury is detected, and obligate owners to implement mitigation or remove unsafe flooring within six months if tests exceed safety thresholds. Violations by manufacturers issuing false certifications carry civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands protected bereavement leave under the Family Leave Act to cover specific personal losses: death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage (including chemical pregnancy), termination of pregnancy for medical reasons, and failed fertility treatments. It directly affects employees who experience these events, granting them up to 21 days of job-protected leave for situations not covered by other leave types, or 7 days if other leave applies. The bill amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.261 and P.L.1948, c.110) to define "bereavement" broadly, including losses related to adoption plans, gestational carriers, and fertility treatments. It ensures eligible employees can take time off without losing their jobs or benefits during these difficult circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collaborate with neighboring states to research alternatives to PJM Interconnection's capacity market system, which has caused record-high electricity costs for consumers. It directs the BPU to evaluate three specific options: requiring electric utilities to secure 80% of their future capacity through long-term contracts, withdrawing from PJM's market to create a new multi-state compact, or leaving PJM's transmission grid entirely. The BPU must submit a report by December 2025 with findings and recommendations, addressing concerns that PJM's current system has led to $14.7 billion in projected consumer costs for 2025/2026 - up from $2.2 billion previously. The bill directly affects New Jersey ratepayers and electric utilities by seeking to reduce electricity costs through regional grid policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2724) requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or legal guardians with a 45-day written notice before increasing tuition rates. The notice must be sent via certified mail (with return receipt), delivered in person, posted on the center's website, and displayed prominently at the center. It directly affects all parents or guardians of children enrolled in licensed child care centers operating under New Jersey law (P.L.1983, c.492). The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2731) adds the right to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), to New Jersey's fundamental reproductive rights. It directly affects all individuals in New Jersey, including those under state control, by legally protecting their choice to access ART for starting or expanding a family. The key mechanism declares any state law, rule, or regulation limiting this right "deemed invalid" and unenforceable under New Jersey law. The bill responds to Alabama's 2024 court ruling that threatened IVF access, expanding existing protections for reproductive choices. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4233) clarifies and enforces rules about vehicle window tinting. It prohibits tint on the front windshield and front side windows (except for the top six inches of the windshield or above the AS-1 marking) and requires that all vehicles undergo a window tint inspection during routine safety/emissions checks. The law directly affects all drivers of passenger vehicles and noncommercial trucks registered in New Jersey, including during standard annual inspections. It adds tint compliance to existing inspection requirements, ensuring vehicles meet visibility standards without creating new exemptions beyond those already established for collector vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.