Rep. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryAJR 119 designates November 7 of each year as "Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution directly affects residents of New Jersey living with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare genetic disorder impacting bone marrow, pancreas, and skeletal development. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with awareness activities. It aims to increase public understanding of SDS, support affected individuals, and promote further research into the condition. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during election cycles from being counted when calculating an individual's unemployment benefits. It directly affects poll workers who may otherwise have their unemployment compensation reduced due to income earned from temporary election work. The key provision amends New Jersey's unemployment law to exclude poll workers' wages from the "annual payroll" calculation used to determine benefit eligibility. This change ensures poll workers can receive full unemployment benefits without their election-season earnings affecting their claim. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the calculation method for this specific group of workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Township of Wyckoff in New Jersey. It acknowledges the area's history, from its original Lenape inhabitants to its incorporation as a distinct municipality in 1926. The resolution directs that copies of the document be sent to the mayor and clerk of Wyckoff to mark the occasion. This measure is purely commemorative and does not change any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes the 100th anniversary of the Township of Wyckoff in New Jersey. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official state acknowledgment of the town's history and its centennial year in 2026. The resolution includes a provision to send copies of the document to the Mayor and municipal clerk of Wyckoff. Sponsored by local legislators, the measure highlights the town's historical significance and current status as a community.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to create a program that helps businesses understand and adopt employee ownership models, such as worker cooperatives or stock ownership plans. To support this goal, the program will offer funding for feasibility studies, provide expert consulting advice, and publish educational resources online for both employers and employees. Eligible businesses must be located in New Jersey, have at least 20 full-time employees, and maintain good standing with state agencies to receive these services. Additionally, the authority will partner with educational institutions to offer early-stage technical assistance to smaller companies that may not yet be ready for a transition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to continue covering adult children with disabilities who are 26 or older, provided they cannot work due to a physical or intellectual disability and are financially dependent on their parent. It amends existing law to extend coverage beyond the standard age limit of 26 for this specific group, ensuring they maintain health insurance through their parent's plan. The bill prohibits denial of coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or school status, which commonly affected young adults with disabilities. This change directly impacts young adults with disabilities in New Jersey who would otherwise lose coverage at age 26 but meet the eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires political candidates in New Jersey to use the official nominating petition forms provided by the Secretary of State, county clerk, or municipal clerk for both primary and general elections. It applies to all individuals seeking office who wish to gather voter signatures to appear on the ballot, ensuring they utilize the standardized documents available through these government offices. By mandating the use of these specific forms, the legislation aims to streamline the candidate qualification process and maintain consistency across different election types.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to immediately suspend school employees without pay if they are accused of criminal offenses or unbecoming conduct involving children, pending the outcome of the charges. The measure applies to all staff, including tenured employees, and mandates that the reason for suspension be written in a notice that gives the employee 14 days to challenge the accusation. If the charges are dismissed, the employee is reinstated with full pay, but a conviction results in immediate termination and a ban from working in any New Jersey school district. Additionally, the bill bypasses standard grievance procedures and tenure protections for these suspensions while requiring districts to report annually to the state and face potential loss of state funding for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new third-degree crime in New Jersey for knowingly filing a false report against a law enforcement officer with the intent to implicate them in a criminal offense or disciplinary infraction. It directly affects individuals who submit fabricated information to authorities specifically to harm an officer's professional standing, distinguishing this act from general false reporting or falsely accusing others. The legislation establishes that this specific offense will carry a separate penalty and will not merge with existing charges for falsely incriminating other people or making false reports about non-existent incidents. By adding this provision, the law aims to provide a specific legal consequence for targeting law enforcement personnel through false accusations.