Maddy summaryThis bill allows school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in New Jersey public schools to refer students to private licensed mental health providers (such as psychologists or social workers) for assessments and services. It prohibits referrals to a provider if the school staff or their immediate family has a significant financial interest in that provider. Parents or guardians must consent for students who cannot legally consent themselves, and neither the school district nor the referring staff bears the cost of these private services. The bill does not restrict schools from providing mental health services directly to students. It aims to expand access to mental health care through school-based referrals while maintaining safeguards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would add sickle cell anemia to the list of qualifying medical conditions for New Jersey's medical cannabis program. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by chronic anemia and periodic pain episodes. If enacted, the bill would allow patients diagnosed with sickle cell anemia to obtain medical cannabis under the state's existing medical cannabis laws. The bill amends P.L.2009, c.307 to expand the list of qualifying conditions without changing the process for obtaining medical cannabis.
Maddy summaryS 4545 expands New Jersey schools, colleges, and youth camps' ability to administer epinephrine during anaphylaxis emergencies by allowing any FDA-approved device - not just pre-filled auto-injectors. It directly affects students with severe allergies, their parents/guardians (who must provide written authorization and physician orders), and school staff (including nurses and trained designees). Key provisions require schools to maintain accessible, secure epinephrine supplies, ensure staff are trained per Department of Education protocols, and retain existing liability protections for schools. The bill does not change parental authorization requirements but modernizes device options to include all FDA-approved mechanisms.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5935 bill makes several changes to charter school operations. It requires charter schools to provide application materials in the seven most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficiency students in their district, based on census data. The bill prohibits charter schools from establishing admission criteria for students selected through random selection and mandates student placement liaisons to coordinate student transitions and track enrollment data. Charter schools must also report annual exit data (reasons, dates, placements) and set specific requirements for non-resident students participating in athletics.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain transportation providers, including ferry operators, private autobuses carrying up to 40 passengers for hire, and major transit agencies like NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Delaware River Port Authority, to develop and publish route schedules. Providers must post these schedules visibly at transportation facilities and on their websites, and update them within 30 days of any changes. The bill specifically targets fixed route services while excluding certain exempt services like school buses, charter buses, and some paratransit services. It defines "autobus" to clarify which private transportation services are covered by the requirement. The law aims to improve transparency and accessibility of public transportation information for riders.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their boards of trustees, and charter management organizations. It mandates transparency by requiring charter schools to maintain public websites with budgets, meeting notices, annual reports, and board member information. The bill sets standards for board membership (requiring relevant experience and local residence), prohibits non-disclosure agreements as employment conditions, and requires charter management organizations receiving public funds to file tax documents. These provisions aim to increase accountability and governance standards while maintaining charter schools' independence from traditional public schools.
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.
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 modifies licensing requirements for businesses handling soil and fill recyclable materials in New Jersey. It exempts "intra-utility transportation or processing" of these materials from certain regulations, allowing public utilities and their contractors to handle soil and fill recyclable materials without a full license under specified conditions. The bill also removes fingerprinting requirements for brokers, consultants, and salespeople, and expands the definition of "soil and fill recyclable materials" to exclude materials managed under licensed site remediation professionals. Additionally, it establishes a de minimis exemption for handling less than 200 cubic yards of soil and fill materials at a single site and extends the license application deadline from 30 to 45 days.
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.