Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific spending rules for state funds allocated to New Jersey's emergency food organizations (food banks receiving annual state funding for Food and Hunger Programs). It requires 10% of each organization's funding to support New Jersey agricultural products (including farm investments), up to 30% for administrative costs and infrastructure (like technology or storage), and at least 60% to support local food distribution partners through food purchases, cash, or reimbursements. Organizations must develop data-informed plans for equitable support, submit monthly reports on fund usage to the Office of the Food Security Advocate, and meet these requirements to receive funding. The bill directly affects food banks and their local community distribution partners.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires automatic enrollment in health insurance for New Jersey residents who lose Medicaid eligibility due to income changes but lack employer-based coverage. The Department of Human Services must share eligibility data with the Department of Banking and Insurance, which will enroll eligible individuals in the lowest-cost silver plan (for incomes ≤200% of federal poverty level) or best-value plan (for incomes >200%) through the state health exchange. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Human Services publish monthly data on NJ FamilyCare eligibility renewals, call center wait times, and termination reasons on a public dashboard to increase transparency. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries at risk of coverage gaps and aims to simplify access to affordable health plans.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1942 prohibits pharmacies and businesses with pharmacy locations from selling tobacco products (including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco) or electronic smoking devices (like e-cigarettes and their cartridges). The law exempts smoking cessation products approved by the FDA and medical cannabis dispensaries for registered patients. Violators face escalating civil penalties starting at $250 for a first offense, with additional disciplinary action possible from the Board of Pharmacy. The prohibition does not apply to large grocery stores or department stores meeting specific sales criteria (e.g., food sales constituting at least 65% of revenue).
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1959 creates the New Jersey Children's Data Protection Commission and requires social media platforms to protect children under 18. It mandates that platforms conduct a risk assessment before launching any new feature likely to be accessed by children, including evaluating potential harm from content or contacts. The bill requires platforms to set high-default privacy settings, provide age-appropriate privacy policies in clear language, and offer tools for children or parents to manage data. This directly affects social media platforms operating in New Jersey that design features likely to be used by children.
Maddy summaryS 1975 creates New Jersey's first dedicated Midwifery Licensing Act, establishing a new State Board of Midwives to regulate midwifery practice. This bill directly affects midwives (including certified midwives, nurse midwives, and professional midwives) and patients seeking midwifery services, replacing the current system where midwifery was regulated by the medical board. Key provisions include forming a 13-member Board (with majority midwives), setting licensure standards, recognizing national certification bodies, and requiring annual public registration of licensed midwives. The law takes effect six months after the Board issues implementing rules, aiming to modernize regulation and improve maternal/infant health outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's State Treasurer to sell 2.321 acres of surplus state-owned property (two separate parcels) at the former Woodbridge Development Center in Middlesex County to the Township of Woodbridge for $910,000, the appraised value. The property, located at 1291 Rahway Avenue, includes improvements and was deemed surplus to state needs. The sale must follow terms approved by the State House Commission, with the township acquiring the northern and southern portions of the parcel while the state retains the central area. This transfer directly affects the state treasury (as seller) and the Township of Woodbridge (as buyer).
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1973) amends New Jersey's drug paraphernalia law to explicitly exempt "harm reduction supplies" from being classified as illegal drug paraphernalia. It directly affects people who use drugs and harm reduction service providers (like syringe exchanges), by removing criminal penalties for possessing items such as naloxone (an opioid overdose antidote), fentanyl test strips, and other equipment designed to prevent overdose or disease transmission. The law specifies that these supplies - including test strips, naloxone, and materials provided by authorized harm reduction programs - are excluded from drug paraphernalia definitions. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on the same day.
Maddy summaryS 1969 establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within New Jersey's government to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate, appointed by the Governor, investigates state agency responses to abuse/neglect cases, reviews facilities like juvenile detention centers and group homes, and accesses relevant records to ensure adequate services. The office operates a 24-hour hotline for public complaints, conducts oversight of child welfare services, and reports findings to improve system performance. This bill directly affects children in state care, child welfare agencies, and private entities providing child protection services.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two grant programs in New Jersey to support workforce development in the legal cannabis industry. The Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program provides one-year (extendable) funding for organizations to create training programs for workers in cannabis retail, manufacturing, and cultivation. The Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program specifically targets organizations aiming to increase hiring of minorities, women, and disabled veterans in the industry. To qualify, applicants must partner with a cannabis business, detail their training curriculum and recruitment plans, and report annually on program outcomes like enrollment, completion rates, and job placements. The Department of Labor will administer the programs and evaluate their effectiveness annually.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1964 prohibits social media platforms from using design features or practices that cause children under 18 to become addicted, defining addiction as obsessive use causing physical, mental, or developmental harm. Platforms must conduct quarterly internal audits and hire annual third-party audits to identify and fix addictive features within 30 days, avoiding penalties of up to $250,000 per violation. The law exempts small platforms (under $100 million annual revenue) and gaming-focused platforms, while clarifying platforms aren’t liable for user-generated content or content protected under federal law. It directly affects all social media platforms serving child users in New Jersey, requiring proactive safety measures to prevent addictive user experiences.