Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain public restrooms to display signs reserving accessible stalls or entire restrooms exclusively for people with disabilities. It applies to businesses and public venues with multi-user restrooms containing at least one accessible stall (alongside non-accessible options) or single-user accessible restrooms (with at least two other restrooms available). The law mandates signage placement during new construction permit approvals and for renovations to existing buildings, with inspections to verify compliance. Violations result in a 30-day correction period, followed by $150 penalties for first offenses and $300 for repeat violations on the same property.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 114) expresses New Jersey's support for establishing a "Farmers Bill of Rights," which would outline key rights for farmers including fair market access for seeds and goods, preservation of farmland, transparent labeling, and the ability to repair equipment. It does not create new laws but urges the U.S. Congress to pass similar legislation (referencing Senate Concurrent Resolution 36 of 2020) and asks federal/state agencies to support farmers. The resolution directly addresses New Jersey's agricultural community, which contributes billions to the state economy through diverse crop production. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but aims to raise awareness about corporate concentration issues affecting farmers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to study the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. It directly affects participating school districts that apply to join the program, with the state selecting two districts from each of the southern, central, and northern regions (ensuring urban, suburban, and rural representation). The program requires districts to submit applications detailing their schools, student enrollment, current wellness programs, and plans for integrating therapy dogs. The Department will provide guidance on dog handling, safety, and insurance, and must submit a final report by June 2029 evaluating the program's impact on student attendance, confidence, academic performance, and health outcomes.

Maddy summaryAJR 124 establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" to study unmet legal needs in domestic violence cases. The task force will examine how lack of legal counsel affects both plaintiffs (victims seeking restraining orders) and defendants (those defending against allegations), citing that 83% of represented victims obtain restraining orders versus 32% without counsel. Comprised of 16 members including survivors, legal professionals, and court officials, the task force will assess impacts on safety, rights, and outcomes in these cases. This resolution does not create new law but directs a study to inform future policy on legal access in domestic violence proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tuition-free education benefits at New Jersey's public colleges and universities for residents who serve in the Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, or Coast Guard Reserves. It covers up to 16 credits per semester for undergraduate or graduate studies, provided recipients have completed required initial training, are enrolled full-time in good academic standing, and have applied for all available federal benefits (like Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits). The state reimburses public institutions for tuition costs not covered by federal programs. It also extends benefits to reservists interrupted by deployment, allowing them to resume tuition-free study after honorable discharge.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits manufacturers and distributors from raising prices excessively on essential generic prescription drugs and biological products after their patents expire. It targets drugs that are widely used, lack patent protection, and are critical for treating serious health conditions (like life-threatening or chronic illnesses), with price hikes exceeding 50% within a year for drugs costing over $80 for a 30-day supply. The Director of Consumer Affairs monitors prices and must notify the Attorney General if a price increase meets these thresholds, requiring manufacturers to explain the increase within 45 days. The law aims to prevent unjustified price spikes that leave patients with no affordable alternatives, directly affecting drug companies, pharmacies, and patients using these essential medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey counties and municipalities to adopt an anti-sexual harassment policy that aligns with federal guidelines. The policy must define sexual harassment, cover all employees and third parties doing business with local governments, include complaint procedures, protect confidentiality, prohibit retaliation, and specify disciplinary actions. The state will create a model policy within six months of enactment, and local governments must adopt it or submit their own approved policy within 90 days. If a local government's proposed policy is rejected, it must adopt the state model within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4211) requires creditors to maintain the *interior* of **commercial properties** (not residential, as the title incorrectly states) that become vacant or abandoned during foreclosure proceedings. Creditors must notify municipalities within 10 days of filing foreclosure, provide contact details for maintenance, and address code violations within 30 days of notice. If creditors fail to act, municipalities can clean up the property and bill the creditor for costs, using the same legal recourse as against property owners. The bill applies specifically to commercial properties under foreclosure, not residential homes, and mandates creditor accountability for maintenance during the foreclosure process.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey municipalities to prioritize first responders - such as police officers and firefighters - for affordable housing units that are part of their required fair share of low- and moderate-income housing. Municipalities that choose to adopt this preference can set aside specific units for first responders when allocating affordable housing, without changing their overall housing obligations. The change adds this option as a new technique within existing state law governing affordable housing requirements. It does not mandate any municipality to implement this policy, only allows them to do so if they choose.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a confidential registry tracking high school student-athletes who suffer concussions or head injuries during sports or cheerleading programs. Coaches must immediately report such injuries to school athletic directors, who then submit weekly data to the registry - including injury type, sport, specific incident details, and recovery time - without revealing student identities. The registry aims to collect injury patterns and trends to develop evidence-based prevention protocols for schools. It directly affects all public and nonpublic high schools participating in New Jersey's interscholastic sports, intramural programs, and cheerleading.