Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill (A294) establishes the "Commission on People with Disabilities" in New Jersey. The commission, consisting of 25 members (13 voting with disability representation requirements and 12 non-voting ex-officio state agency representatives), will advise the state government on policies affecting people with disabilities. Its key duties include suggesting legislation, serving as a government contact point for disability needs, coordinating with state agencies on service delivery, and preventing employment discrimination. The commission must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. (Note: This is a procedural bill creating a body, not a policy change.)

Maddy summaryThis bill permits union officials representing probation officers, supervisors, and related judicial staff to participate in all union activities - including lobbying, spending union funds, and partisan political activities - while on full-time leave under existing law (N.J.S.11A:6-12). It directly affects union officers for judicial probation units in New Jersey, removing a previous restriction on their involvement in these activities. The law overrides other provisions that previously deemed such participation improper. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Menstrual Hygiene Products Program" to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins to low-income residents through participating food pantries. The Department of Agriculture will award annual grants (up to $10,000 per pantry) to food pantries for purchasing these products, and must list participating pantries with operating hours on its website. The program requires coordination with pharmacies and health departments to improve product access, and includes funding for educational materials about menstrual hygiene. It appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund to support the initiative, which must be implemented within six months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create and implement a mobile senior citizen assistance program within 180 days using existing funds. The program would deploy staffed vehicles to locations like nursing homes, senior centers, low-income housing, and community events to provide seniors with direct help. Services include assistance with applications, health care appointments, internet/computer use, tax filing, legal support, transportation, and food services. It directly affects seniors, particularly those in underserved communities or facilities, by offering on-site support for daily needs.

Maddy summaryAJR 39 is a commemorative resolution designating October 19th of each year as "Mike 'Doc' Emrick Day" in New Jersey. It honors Mike Emrick, the longtime New Jersey Devils hockey play-by-play announcer, on the anniversary of his 2020 retirement after 21 seasons with the team. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. This bill does not create new laws or affect policy - it solely commemorates Emrick's broadcasting career and contributions to hockey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A2241 prohibits courts from making custody or visitation decisions based solely on a parent's disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. If a court considers any of these factors for an otherwise fit parent, it must provide detailed written findings explaining why the factor was relevant to the child's best interests. The bill does not prevent courts from considering these factors alongside other relevant issues but explicitly bars them from being the sole basis for rulings. This applies to all child custody cases in New Jersey courts, directly affecting parents and judicial decisions involving custody arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Vaisakhi (typically falling on April 13-14) and Bandi Chhor Divas (typically in autumn) as official public holidays in New Jersey. It amends state law to add these days to the list of paid holidays for state government employees and to the calendar of public holidays affecting business operations and financial transactions. The bill directly affects state government operations, requiring offices to close on these days, and ensures financial instruments like checks are treated as payable on the next business day if issued on these holidays. It does not change existing holiday provisions or create new obligations beyond the designated holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill would double New Jersey's child tax credit, raising the maximum credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child and extending eligibility to children under 18 (up from under 6). It increases the income limit for qualification from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, with credits gradually decreasing as income rises above $30,000. Families earning under $30,000 would receive the full $2,000 credit, while those earning $130,000-$150,000 would receive $800 per child. The credit phases out completely for families earning over $150,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts, municipalities, counties, and other local contracting units to evaluate whether cooperative purchasing systems would save money before procuring goods and services. If a cost savings analysis shows cooperative purchasing would be more economical (excluding new construction or expansion), the contracting unit must use this approach. The bill directs the Division of Local Government Services to develop guidelines and cost-saving templates to help local governments implement cooperative purchasing, including information about benefits like reduced costs and improved project execution. These guidelines must also ensure contractors comply with existing state and federal laws regarding discrimination, wage requirements, and other standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to provide victims of domestic violence with copies of specific records upon request, including police photos, body camera footage, 9-1-1 recordings, and police reports. Victims or their legal representatives can request these records within 10 calendar days at no cost, with records to be provided electronically or in paper form as requested. If records can't be provided within 10 days, agencies may request additional time from the court but must deliver within 24 hours once available. The bill clarifies that this right supplements existing open public records access under OPRA and requires courts to note record access delays during domestic violence hearings. This policy directly affects domestic violence victims seeking evidence to support their cases.