Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of survivors and experts, must evaluate existing anti-trafficking laws, recommend new policies, review assistance programs, and develop public awareness campaigns - including signage and hotlines - within 180 days of the bill's enactment. It requires the council to submit a report with specific recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, including best practices for victim identification, public service announcements, and coordination with law enforcement. The bill appropriates $1 million for the council's operations and expires after the report is submitted or one year post-World Cup, whichever comes later.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires water utilities (called "water purveyors") to conduct annual water loss audits and submit validated reports to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It defines "water loss" as the difference between water entering a distribution system and water measured at customer meters, including leaks, breaks, and unauthorized use. Utilities must follow American Water Works Association standards for data quality and validation when preparing these reports. The requirement directly affects all public water systems serving 25+ people daily, aiming to improve water conservation and infrastructure management.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public community water systems to create and submit a plan within 120 days identifying an alternative water source to use immediately if perfluoralkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels exceed state-established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). It directly affects municipal water providers serving residents, mandating they switch to the pre-identified backup source upon detecting PFAS exceedances in their supply. The key mechanism is the mandatory pre-planning and immediate action requirement when PFAS limits are breached, bypassing standard Safe Drinking Water Act procedures during such events. This applies to all public community water systems in the state, with the goal of ensuring continuous safe water access during contamination events.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses in New Jersey's financial, essential infrastructure (like utilities), and healthcare sectors to create cybersecurity plans and report certain incidents. Specifically, "sensitive businesses" must develop programs following industry standards (such as NIST frameworks), identify a cybersecurity lead, conduct risk assessments, and submit annual compliance certifications. They must also report incidents affecting billing systems, data privacy, or industrial control systems (e.g., power grid operations) to the New Jersey Cybersecurity Cell. The bill applies only to covered businesses operating in New Jersey and does not create new penalties for noncompliance.
Maddy summaryS 674 requires New Jersey's electric utilities to upgrade portions of their transmission and distribution systems with "advanced conductors" during routine maintenance or dedicated projects, where practical. These conductors reduce energy loss by at least 10% compared to standard wires by using more efficient designs (like carbon fiber cores). Utilities must assess their systems within one year of the law's effective date and propose specific upgrade locations to the Board of Public Utilities. They may also request approval to recover the costs of these upgrades through customer electricity bills.
Maddy summaryThis bill equalizes retirement benefits for New Jersey teachers by removing tiered membership in the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). It moves all current non-retired TPAF members to the same benefit tier as those who joined before July 2007, and requires enrollment of public school employees meeting salary but not hour requirements. Educators in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer service credit to TPAF (without transferring contributions), with an opt-out option within six months. It also expands disability retirement eligibility for current long-term disability recipients, requiring applications within two years of enactment.
Maddy summarySJR 41 is a symbolic resolution designating March 9 each year as "U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day" in New Jersey. It honors Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained, including Robert A. Levinson (abducted March 9, 2007, and the longest-held U.S. hostage at 18 years), and commemorates events like the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. The resolution requests the Governor to annually display the "Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag" at the State Capitol and encourage local governments to do the same on March 9 and other designated dates (e.g., August 19 for James Foley, October 7 for Hamas-related hostages). This is a non-binding recognition measure with no new policy or funding changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, or import of products or packaging that make deceptive recyclability claims (like using the chasing arrows symbol) unless the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines the product is widely recyclable. The DEP must create a list by January 2027 identifying materials that are recyclable in the state, based on whether they are collected by curbside recycling programs covering at least 60% of New Jersey’s population and routinely used to make new products. Products meeting the DEP’s criteria can display recyclability symbols, while others cannot. The bill includes exemptions for federal requirements, composting labels, and a transition period for manufacturers until 2027.
Maddy summaryS 2931 establishes rules for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are technology-enabled shared rides (via app or phone) that pick up and drop off users at selected locations. It directly affects NJ Transit, county transit agencies, and other operators by requiring them to: pay drivers fairly (matching existing wages/benefits), serve transit deserts without replacing existing routes, provide non-smartphone access, ensure disability accessibility, and report monthly data (cost per ride, wait times, etc.) for publicly funded programs. The bill creates a Micro Transit Oversight Committee to certify programs meet these standards before operation. Key mechanisms include mandatory driver licensing, prohibitions on replacing existing transit, and data transparency requirements for public funding.
Maddy summaryS 2866 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator with expertise in dementia care. This coordinator will develop a master plan, coordinate existing state services (including the Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Advisory Commission), prevent service duplication, identify gaps, and improve access to quality dementia care for affected individuals and their families. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to fund this position and mandates all state departments to cooperate with the coordinator by providing necessary data and assistance. It directly affects people with dementia, caregivers, and state agencies delivering dementia-related services.