Maddy summaryThis bill creates a sexual assault prevention and response program and coordinator within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). It directly affects service members (including National Guard members) and veterans who experience sexual assault or harassment, allowing victims to file confidential complaints regardless of whether the assault occurred on or off duty. Key provisions include appointing a coordinator to provide victim advocacy, refer cases to the Attorney General for investigation, assist with protective orders (state and military), and enable participation in the federal "Catch a Serial Offender Program." The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing prevention efforts, investigation statistics, and improvements needed in training and response.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing law to prohibit employers from requiring employees to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious, political, or labor organization matters. It protects workers who decline such participation from being punished, disciplined, or threatened. Exceptions include job-related communications, casual workplace conversations, and requirements limited to managerial staff. Violations can be challenged in court, with remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 per violation.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution AR 127 is a symbolic statement condemning Arizona's Supreme Court ruling in *Planned Parenthood v. Mayes*, which enforced an outdated 1864 abortion ban. The resolution does not change laws but formally opposes Arizona's decision to uphold a near-total abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest. It reaffirms New Jersey's existing commitment to protecting residents' access to reproductive health care services, as established by state law. This resolution has no legal effect on Arizona or New Jersey policy but expresses legislative disapproval of the Arizona court's action.
Maddy summaryAJR 59 designates November each year as "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public education about the link between diabetes (affecting over 29 million Americans) and cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes). It aims to improve public understanding of this connection, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted like African American and Hispanic/Latino populations in New Jersey. This is a symbolic resolution with no new funding or policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to conduct a survey of all antenatal and prenatal care clinics across the state, including those that have closed or significantly reduced services within the past two years. The survey will collect data on clinic availability, demographic and socioeconomic details of patients (especially low and moderate income pregnant women), and disparities in care access, while protecting personal health information. The DOH must analyze the data to identify trends and develop strategies to improve maternity care quality and access, then publish findings on its website and submit a legislative report within 18 months. This policy change directly affects clinics, the DOH, and future health care planning for pregnant individuals in New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 108) urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an inpatient hospital facility at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. It directly addresses veterans in southern New Jersey, where 119,200 residents live across eight counties and currently lack local inpatient VA care - forcing many to travel hours to facilities like the outdated East Orange Veterans Medical Center. The resolution highlights that establishing the facility at the base would reduce travel times (currently multiple hours for some veterans) and leverage existing veteran services at the location. As a non-binding request, it formally asks the VA to consider this action and will be sent to the VA Secretary and New Jersey’s congressional delegation.
Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 107 urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to redirect funding away from current transportation providers for disabled veterans and instead support existing county paratransit services and non-profit organizations (like ARC of New Jersey and Easterseals) that already provide transportation for seniors and people with disabilities. It specifically addresses disabled veterans in New Jersey - approximately 53,000 with service-connected disabilities - who use VA medical centers in East Orange and Lyons, where current transportation has been reported as inadequate (leaving veterans stranded for hours or overnight). The resolution proposes that VA funding enable these established networks to expand their services to cover veterans’ medical travel needs, rather than relying on underfunded or inconsistent VA or volunteer-provided transport. This is a non-binding request to the VA, not a legislative mandate.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to permanently fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides discounted broadband internet and device subsidies to low-income households. The ACP currently offers up to $30 monthly for internet service (or $75 for Tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount for devices like laptops, helping over 20 million households nationwide - including 335,079 in New Jersey as of January 2024. The resolution notes the program is set to expire in April 2024 due to a $14.2 billion budget exhaustion, risking the loss of $8.3 million monthly in broadband cost savings for New Jersey households. It calls for permanent congressional funding to maintain these benefits, which support essential activities like education, work, and healthcare access.
Maddy summaryThe "John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New Jersey" establishes a state-level voting rights law to protect racial, color, and language-minority groups' voting rights. It requires election policies to be narrowly tailored to compelling justifications and prohibits methods that impair protected class members' ability to elect their preferred candidates. The bill creates a preclearance process for political subdivisions with prior voting rights violations before implementing election policies, mandates language assistance for language-minority groups meeting census thresholds, and provides remedies including alternative election processes and redistricting changes.
Maddy summaryThe Manufacturing in Higher Education Act (A1828) creates a $10 million annual grant program to fund manufacturing education at New Jersey colleges and vocational schools. It requires state agencies to promote manufacturing career pathways for students and establishes a new Advanced Manufacturing Council to coordinate industry partnerships and workforce development. The grants will support new programs or expand existing ones in manufacturing fields, with 50% allocated to county colleges, 25% to four-year institutions, and 25% to vocational districts. Additionally, the bill designates a state liaison to assist manufacturing businesses with marketing, referrals, and workforce reskilling initiatives.