Maddy summaryThis bill legalizes "natural organic reduction" (also called "controlled supervised decomposition") in New Jersey, which converts human remains into soil-like material. It creates a regulatory framework requiring facilities to register with the State Board of Mortuary Science, be supervised by licensed mortuary professionals, and meet specific construction and operation standards. The bill amends existing mortuary science laws to include this new process, with the State Board authorized to develop regulations and inspect facilities. This provides a new option for final disposition of human remains, alongside traditional burial and cremation. The legislation establishes clear requirements for facilities offering this service while maintaining oversight by licensed professionals.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from requiring employees to attend or listen to workplace communications about political matters, including discussions about political parties, elections, labor organizations, or community activities. It expands existing law by explicitly adding labor organizations and activities to the definition of "political matters" and mandates employers to post a clear notice of these rights in visible workplace areas. Employees who face violations can sue within 90 days for remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The law directly affects all employers in New Jersey - such as businesses, state agencies, and local governments - and their employees.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A1682) requires New Jersey public school districts to include instruction on labor history in social studies curricula for students in grades 6 through 12. It mandates teaching four specific topics: the history of organized labor, notable historical strikes, unionization drives, and the collective bargaining process with workplace legal protections. The Commissioner of Education must provide age-appropriate lesson resources to help schools implement this requirement. The policy applies to all school districts under the state's existing social studies learning standards, beginning with the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3974 prohibits substance use disorder treatment providers from using deceptive marketing practices. The bill requires all advertising to include accurate, plain-language details about services, locations, and contact information (including phone numbers and addresses), and bans false claims about network status, geographic location, or affiliations with other providers without written consent. Violations carry civil penalties up to $20,000 per incident, and affected individuals may sue for triple damages plus attorney fees. This directly affects licensed treatment facilities, certified providers, and recovery residences offering substance use disorder services within the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and update guidelines within 90 days for state and local agencies to use when purchasing goods made from recycled materials. The guidelines will recommend specific recycled content percentages for procurement contracts, potentially referencing existing U.S. EPA guidelines. State agencies and local governments must incorporate these guidelines into new product specifications for purchases, unless following them would increase contract costs. The bill applies to all state departments and local entities with procurement authority, but exempts local contracts where cost would rise.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to transfer Schedule II prescriptions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications between pharmacies, directly affecting patients who need these medications. Currently, patients must obtain a new prescription from their doctor if a pharmacy cannot fill an ADHD prescription; this bill enables direct pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfers instead. The transfer must comply with federal regulations and applies only to ADHD prescriptions for Schedule II drugs (stronger medications like Adderall), not all Schedule II substances. This change aims to improve access during medication shortages and reduce patient wait times.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3540 establishes criminal penalties for creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media (commonly called "deepfakes") that falsely depict someone doing something they didn't actually do. It makes it a crime to produce such media for unlawful purposes (like harassment, theft, or privacy violations) or to share it without clearly labeling it as fake. Individuals harmed by these deepfakes can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly share unmarked fake content created in violation of the bill.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.
Maddy summaryAJR 120 designates the first full week of May each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This resolution directly affects New Jersey residents taking medications that block dopamine (such as antipsychotics for mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder), as these treatments can cause Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) - a condition involving involuntary movements. The bill aims to encourage annual screenings for TD symptoms through public awareness, noting that approximately 1.1 million adults in New Jersey live with mental illnesses that may involve these medications. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote early diagnosis and treatment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to transfer Schedule II prescription medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to obtain a new prescription from their doctor. Currently, Schedule II prescriptions (like ADHD medications) cannot be transferred between pharmacies, forcing patients to seek new prescriptions when their preferred pharmacy is out of stock. The bill specifically permits these transfers for ADHD prescriptions only, while requiring compliance with federal regulations. This change aims to provide greater convenience for patients who need ADHD medication but cannot fill their prescription at their usual pharmacy.