Asm. Lisa Swain

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 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards (e.g., for nursing, engineering, or cosmetology) to track how long other states take to approve initial license applications. Boards must calculate a national average approval time based on data from other states and adopt it as their official timeline for processing new licenses. If a board misses this average, it must use licensing fees to hire experts who identify efficiency improvements to meet the standard. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually, with boards retaining fee revenue until they meet the national average timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and licensed birthing centers offering maternity services in New Jersey to create and maintain written policies allowing patients to choose their own doula for support before, during, and after childbirth. Facilities must share these policies with healthcare providers, patients, and post a summary visibly in patient rooms and on their website within 180 days of the law taking effect. Each facility must also designate a staff liaison to connect with doulas and organizations regarding these policies. The law directly affects maternity care facilities and patients seeking doula support during childbirth.