Asm. Andrea Katz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public venues like stores, restaurants, libraries, and schools to install baby diaper changing stations in at least one men’s and one women’s public restroom (or a unisex family restroom) during new construction or substantial renovations costing over $5,000. Public buildings, including K-12 schools (which need only one station per campus), must add stations within 37 months of the bill’s enactment. The state appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to reimburse local governments or school districts for installation costs. Owners who fail to comply face penalties up to $500 per violation.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 2740) requires large warehouses and distribution facilities - specifically those generating 50+ daily truck trips or exceeding 50,000-100,000 sq. ft. - to obtain annual permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and implement yearly measures to reduce air pollution from truck traffic. Key provisions include a 2050 deadline for zero emissions (via solutions like electric trucks or solar power), shorter 3-year permits for facilities near overburdened communities, and a points-based system for tracking pollution-reduction efforts. The bill directly affects major logistics hubs in or near communities already facing disproportionate pollution impacts, mandating DEP oversight and community input for permit renewals. It aims to address localized air quality issues missed by broader monitoring, focusing on high-traffic facilities as priority targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill (NJ A2749) requires health insurance plans and Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) to cover preventive behavioral health services for children under 18, including screenings and early intervention without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It mandates insurers to accept "at-risk diagnosis" billing - using Social Determinants of Health Z-codes instead of standard mental health codes - to pay for preventive care like therapy or screenings for children showing potential behavioral health needs. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services, applying to all health plans sold in New Jersey, state employee health programs, and Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.369.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2748) expands New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals based on "service in the Armed Forces of the United States" and "liability for service" (meaning being subject to military service requirements). It directly affects current military members, veterans, and those subject to military service obligations in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The key change adds these categories to the list of protected characteristics under the law, ensuring discrimination claims related to military service can be addressed under existing anti-discrimination statutes. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.307, meaning it is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2742) amends New Jersey's "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act" to explicitly include teachers and school staff as protected individuals under the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" in public schools. It revises the law to ensure acts targeting educators - such as verbal, written, physical, or electronic acts that disrupt school operations or cause harm - are covered under existing protections. School districts must update their anti-bullying policies to specifically prohibit bullying of staff, including clear reporting procedures and consequences for violations. The changes apply to incidents occurring on school property, at school events, on buses, or in specified off-campus situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey hospitals providing inpatient maternity services and licensed birthing centers to offer new parents who have given birth either: (1) an in-person lactation consultation before discharge, or (2) a remote consultation via live voice if requested. The counseling must include breastfeeding education, support, care planning, demonstration of breastfeeding techniques, recommendations for assistive devices, and health benefit information. It defines "lactation counselor" and "lactation consultant" to include certified professionals like IBCLCs without requiring additional nursing licensure. The law applies to facilities licensed under New Jersey's birthing center regulations and aims to standardize postpartum lactation support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in New Jersey to create employment plans when sharing services (like waste management or IT) to protect workers' rights. It mandates that any job transfers or terminations due to shared service agreements must follow civil service rules, including terminal leave payments for affected employees and placement on special reemployment lists. The Civil Service Commission reviews these plans to ensure compliance, directly impacting local government employees in civil service positions and the municipalities entering shared service agreements. The bill also includes funding for these operational changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects $5 million in state funds from a children's health program to provide immediate funding for the Burlington County Animal Shelter. It amends the FY 2024 state budget by shifting money originally allocated to "Nemours Children’s Health" (under the Department of Health) to a new line item for the shelter (under the Department of Community Affairs). The change provides dedicated funding for the shelter’s operations without requiring new tax revenue or creating new programs. This is a budget reallocation, not a new legislative policy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A2760 would allow owners of small renewable energy projects (under 20 megawatts, such as rooftop solar or small wind systems) to seek approval only from local governments instead of state agencies for land use. This exempts projects from state permitting requirements under laws covering wetlands, coastal zones, flood areas, and other protected lands, provided they pass local inspections and get utility approval. Projects must still follow the State Uniform Construction Code for safety. The bill requires applicants to choose between local or state permitting upfront, waiving local approval if they first apply to a state agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assign paid or volunteer advocates to work directly at long-term care facilities. These advocates must conduct in-person visits with residents to help address their financial, health, legal, and social needs. The bill mandates an appropriation from the General Fund to cover the costs of these assigned advocates. It directly affects residents of long-term care facilities by ensuring they have on-site support to advocate for their needs. The policy change is a concrete requirement for the ombudsman's office to implement, funded by the state.