Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryAJR 135 designates April 22 of each year as "Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day" in New Jersey, recognizing the contributions of volunteer Girl Scout Leaders. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day with appropriate events. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the role of Girl Scout Leaders in mentoring girls through activities like STEM education, community service, and leadership development. It affects Girl Scout Leaders across New Jersey, who serve as volunteers in local troops.

Maddy summaryAJR 131 designates September 11th of each year as "Heroes Day" in New Jersey. This ceremonial resolution honors members of the Armed Forces, police officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel for their service and sacrifices, particularly following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through appropriate activities. It does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it is a symbolic recognition of these first responders' contributions to state security and well-being. (AJR 131, sponsored by Assemblywoman Murphy)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public officials in New Jersey to automatically lose their state or local government position (elected or appointed) upon conviction for specific offenses. It applies to anyone holding public office who is convicted of crimes involving dishonesty, third-degree offenses or worse, or offenses directly related to their job duties (e.g., misuse of position). The court must immediately order forfeiture upon conviction, with limited exceptions for minor offenses or if a court grants a stay for "good cause." Officials forfeiting their position are also permanently disqualified from holding future public office, and any actions they took after forfeiture can be voided by their successor for 60 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school students aged 14 and older in New Jersey to receive excused absences for participating in non-partisan election-related activities on general election day. Students must provide documentation - including a supervisor’s signature, activity description, and proof the activity was approved by their school and not partisan - to their school administrators. The bill specifically covers activities like observing polls, simulated voting, or transporting voters, as long as the school board approves them in advance and the student’s academic performance meets school-set standards. Schools may deny excused absences if a student’s academic achievement falls below a board-defined level.

Maddy summaryAJR 140 designates May of each year as "Better Hearing Month" in New Jersey. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but formally recognizes an existing observance since 1927. It aims to increase public awareness about hearing loss, which affects an estimated 850,000 New Jersey residents, and encourages residents to seek screenings and treatment. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote awareness and highlight the role of audiologists in addressing hearing health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create and update a five-year housing advisory plan. It directly affects all state residents, with specific focus on homeless and near-homeless individuals and vulnerable populations. The plan must assess housing market trends, identify needs across income groups, inventory affordable housing supply, track progress toward meeting needs, and pinpoint regulatory barriers to affordable housing development. The department must submit the initial plan to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Housing Affordability within 18 months of enactment, with updated versions every five years thereafter.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's legislature to provide sign language interpreters for all in-person and remote legislative sessions and committee meetings. Starting 7 months after the bill's effective date, interpreters must offer simultaneous translation during Senate and General Assembly sessions, with committee meetings requiring interpreters 25 months later. The Department of Human Services will coordinate this service with the Office of Legislative Services. The law directly benefits individuals with hearing loss by ensuring access to legislative proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's legal definition of "abused child" to explicitly include human trafficking as a form of abuse. It adds that a child is considered abused if their parent, guardian, or custodian commits or allows human trafficking against them, as defined under state law (P.L.2005, c.77). This change ensures children subjected to trafficking within their household or under a guardian's care are recognized under the state's child abuse framework, requiring intervention by child protective services. The amendment does not alter existing definitions for physical, sexual, or neglect-related abuse but expands the scope to cover human trafficking as a distinct form of abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 to explicitly include elder abuse and abuse of the disabled in domestic settings under the law's definition of "domestic violence." It directly affects elderly and disabled individuals who experience abuse from family members or caregivers in their homes. The key provision clarifies that existing legal protections - including restraining orders, criminal penalties, and law enforcement responses - now apply equally to elder abuse cases as they do to other domestic violence cases. This change ensures consistent legal recourse without creating new offenses, aligning the Act's scope with its original intent to protect vulnerable residents. The bill does not alter criminal statutes but makes the existing law clearer for victims and authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.