Maddy summaryThis bill requires criminal history background checks for individuals applying for or renewing licenses in specific health care professions, specifically adding applied behavior analysts, creative arts therapists, and dietitians to the list of professions requiring these checks. Background checks must be conducted as part of the licensing application process, and licensing boards may deny or revoke licenses based on criminal history that meets existing standards. The requirement does not apply to nurse aides, personal care assistants, or homemaker-home health aides, who are already covered by other background check laws. This change expands existing background check rules to new health care fields without altering current exemptions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1017 (now P.L.2024, c.59) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to notify sexual assault victims about key developments in their criminal cases, specifically regarding DNA evidence. Victims have the right to be informed whether DNA from the assault was collected, entered into forensic databases, or matched to a suspect’s DNA (with exceptions if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation). Victims can request written or email updates about evidence processing status, and agencies must provide this information in a timely manner upon request. This law directly affects sexual assault victims in New Jersey by ensuring they receive specific, actionable updates about their case evidence under the state’s crime victim rights framework.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the asset limits (resources) that individuals can have while still qualifying for Medicaid coverage in New Jersey. It specifically affects pregnant women, children under 21, seniors (65+), and blind or disabled adults who meet the "medically needy" criteria under current Medicaid rules. The key change raises the asset thresholds: a single person can now hold up to $40,000 in assets (up from previous levels), a couple up to $60,000, and each additional household member adds $20,000. This adjustment aligns New Jersey’s Medicaid rules with updated federal standards, allowing more low-income residents to access health coverage without losing eligibility due to modest savings or property.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2937 requires state agencies and organizations receiving state funds to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and the United Nations' working definition of Islamophobia in their existing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) policies. The bill mandates that these specific definitions - IHRA's 2016 definition of antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred" and the UN's definition of Islamophobia as "fear, prejudice, and hatred of Muslims" - be incorporated into all relevant DEIB policies. This applies to both state agencies and any entities receiving state financial support, ensuring these definitions guide policy implementation without creating new policies. The requirement takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3248 exempts cribs, child restraint systems (like car seats meeting federal safety standards), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers from the state's sales and use tax. This directly reduces costs for parents purchasing essential baby products. The bill defines "child restraint systems" as devices protecting infants in vehicles, "cribs" as infant beds, and "strollers" as non-motorized transport devices. The exemption takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including its "contemporary examples," for use by state institutions. It requires state entities to consider this definition when reviewing or investigating potential anti-Semitic discrimination or bias crimes. The bill appropriates $100,000 to fund a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office, promoting the state's bias crimes reporting hotline and resources for identifying and reporting anti-Semitic incidents. The campaign aims to increase public understanding and reporting of bias crimes, particularly affecting Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in New Jersey. The bill explicitly states it does not diminish First Amendment rights or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides supplemental state funding to specific New Jersey school districts that received reduced allocations for special education, security, and transportation aid under recent state aid formulas. It ensures eligible districts receive the same amounts for these categorical aids as calculated under the 2008 School Funding Reform Act (P.L.2007, c.260), rather than the lower amounts under current law (P.L.2018, c.67). To qualify, districts must have experienced state aid cuts in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years while spending below adequacy. The funding is temporary and applies only to the 2024-2025 school year.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows students in grades 6-12 who attend charter schools, county vocational schools, nonpublic schools, or receive equivalent instruction elsewhere (homeschoolers) to participate in interscholastic athletics in their district of residence under the same criteria as public school students. To participate, students must provide proof of residency, meet the same physical, academic, and behavioral requirements as public school athletes, and demonstrate academic equivalence (for homeschoolers). The bill applies when the student's current school doesn't sponsor the sport they wish to play, and eligibility disputes will be handled by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The bill does not require schools to provide transportation or modify schedules to accommodate these students.
Maddy summaryS 3338 establishes a Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program that provides up to $150,000 in student loan repayment for New Jersey veterinarians who commit to five years of full-time work in designated underserved areas with large animal veterinary shortages. Participants must be New Jersey residents and licensed veterinarians who dedicate at least 75% of their work to large animal care (cows, horses, goats, pigs, chickens, sheep) at approved sites. The state will annually appropriate $500,000 for this program, with loan redemption phased over five years (12% in year 1, 20% in years 2-3, and 24% in years 4-5), administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.
Maddy summaryS 3345 requires the president of each public New Jersey college or university to report all on-campus crime, fire, and emergency incidents to the institution's governing board at every regular board meeting. The report must include counts and types of criminal incidents (from campus security/police), campus alerts/threats, and fire incidents (from campus security/fire departments), plus optional details on investigations, disciplinary actions, and prevention programs. Non-public information (like ongoing investigations) must be shared in executive sessions, and the bill clarifies such reports won't become public records under New Jersey's open records law. This bill directly affects public higher education institutions' leadership and governing boards. It takes effect immediately.