Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Female Incarcerated Person's Rights Protection Act" for New Jersey, requiring the Department of Corrections to implement gender-responsive policies for women in state prisons. Key provisions include creating a Division of Women's Services to address trauma, parenting needs, and child reunification; mandating annual staff training on gender-responsive practices and sexual assault prevention; and providing doula services, parenting classes, and family reunification programs for incarcerated mothers. The bill also creates a Special Victim's Unit to investigate sexual assault allegations and requires all female inmates to receive information about reporting sexual abuse and accessing support services. These changes directly affect all women incarcerated in New Jersey state facilities and the correctional staff responsible for their care.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that employees covered by collective bargaining agreements at official motor vehicle inspection facilities be given first priority for employment during contract renewals. It mandates that employment offers must include compensation and benefits packages that meet the requirements of the existing collective bargaining agreement. The bill also ensures that if a contractor sells, transfers assets, or merges with another company, the current collective bargaining agreement remains binding on the new entity and all affiliated businesses. This applies specifically to workers at New Jersey's motor vehicle inspection facilities covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides $3 million in supplemental funding to the New Jersey Division of State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit. The funds will directly support the unit's mission by covering costs for personnel training, equipment, vehicle purchases, software licenses, and staff mental health initiatives. The allocation is intended to help the ICAC Unit address rising online child exploitation, particularly as federal funding is currently unavailable due to a government shutdown. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, and applies solely to the State Police ICAC Unit's operations.
Maddy summaryAJR 231 designates March 9 of each year as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in New Jersey. It requests the Governor to annually display the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag at the State Capitol and encourage other state and local government buildings to do the same on March 9 and other specified commemorative dates. The resolution recognizes Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained, referencing historical cases like Robert A. Levinson’s abduction and recent incidents. This is a symbolic gesture with no new legal requirements, focusing on observance rather than policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their boards of trustees, and charter management organizations. It mandates that board members possess relevant experience (legal, fiscal, educational, community, or governance) and maintain their principal residence in the charter school's district, requires public posting of budgets and annual reports on school websites, and prohibits charter schools from contracting with for-profit entities for operations. The bill also requires regular compensation studies for school leaders, prohibits non-disclosure agreements with employees, and establishes procedures for charter renewal and revocation based on performance. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in the charter school system.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's charter school rules to improve transparency and access. It requires charter schools to provide enrollment applications in the seven most common non-English languages in their district (based on census data) and prohibits them from setting admission criteria beyond a random lottery for oversubscribed seats. Charter schools must now report annual student exit data (including reasons and placements, without personal details) and appoint a student placement liaison to coordinate transitions. Additionally, charter schools offering athletics must join a voluntary sports association and follow its rules, including residency and grade-level restrictions for non-resident students.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to develop and implement a strategy to reduce food waste by at least 50% by 2030, compared to waste levels in the year the law takes effect. Districts must adopt this strategy as an amendment to their existing solid waste management plans, subject to DEP approval. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must also publish a public list of specific methods districts can use, including food donation programs, composting facilities, source separation, and public awareness campaigns. These measures aim to divert food waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires water suppliers to immediately notify specific entities when drinking water quality standards are violated. Affected groups include municipalities, school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools within the affected area. Suppliers must provide detailed information via phone and email, including contaminant names, test dates, locations, exceedance levels, and suggested remedies. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows certified law enforcement officers to serve in temporary investigator roles. Specifically, it permits permanent officers with active police training certification to receive a probationary appointment as a State or county investigator for up to 120 days while completing required investigator training. During this period, they may perform full investigator duties. Upon successful training completion, they can apply to the Police Training Commission for permanent investigator licensure, with the temporary appointment remaining valid until the commission reviews their application. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers seeking to transition into investigator positions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.