Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 508) requires every public school with a library to publicly list all library resources - such as books, periodicals, DVDs, and digital databases - on its website in an easily accessible location. Schools must update this list within 10 days of adding new resources. The school library media specialist must maintain the list, or the principal must appoint staff to do so if no specialist is employed. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects all public school districts in New Jersey with school libraries.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1331, the "Fairness in Women's Sport Act," requires public and private schools to designate athletic teams based solely on biological sex, mandating that female sports teams be restricted to students assigned female at birth. The bill specifies that eligibility for female teams must be verified through a physician's statement confirming internal/external anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup - excluding transgender athletes who transitioned after puberty. It prohibits schools from allowing male-identified students on female teams and protects institutions from complaints for maintaining sex-segregated teams. The law also creates legal remedies for violations, including lawsuits for lost opportunities or retaliation, with claims needing to be filed within two years. The bill takes immediate effect and directly affects student-athletes in New Jersey high schools and colleges participating in NJSIAA, NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA sports.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges Congress and the President to pass federal legislation prohibiting federally regulated financial institutions (like banks and payment services) from penalizing customers for expressing constitutionally protected speech. It was prompted by PayPal’s 2022 policy proposal to fine users $2,500 for posting "misinformation" or content deemed "unfit" by the company alone. The resolution emphasizes that such policies could restrict free speech despite the First Amendment, as financial services are essential to daily life. It does not create new law but requests federal action to protect consumers from private financial institutions’ speech-related penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's small business loan program to include certified broadband telecommunications service providers operating in rural areas. It directly affects rural broadband providers (defined as entities certified by the Board of Public Utilities to offer high-speed internet with minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload) serving communities with populations under 30,000 and density below 4,000 people per square mile. The key mechanism allows these providers to access loan funds for capital purchases, such as equipment and infrastructure, to expand broadband services. The change adds broadband providers to the existing list of eligible borrowers, which previously included dairy farmers and farming operations. The bill amends the eligibility criteria in the state's small business loan program statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level at least 30 days before the school year begins. The plans must include units of study, learning objectives, and specific information about textbooks or materials used. School districts must also post when and where parents or legal guardians can review these materials before they are used in classrooms. The bill aims to increase transparency by making curriculum details and instructional materials accessible to families in advance. It applies to all public school districts and takes effect for the next full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Statewide Opioid Antidote Coordinator position within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Coordinator will handle bulk purchasing and distribution of opioid antidotes (like naloxone) to state/local agencies, emergency medical services, law enforcement, schools, and sterile syringe access programs upon request. The role also requires creating a public website with overdose response information and submitting annual reports on distribution and cost savings. The bill appropriates funds to support this office and its website.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all general acute care hospitals in New Jersey to add fentanyl testing to urine drug screenings used for diagnosing patient conditions. Currently, these screenings typically test for drugs like cocaine and some opioids but not fentanyl, which is a powerful synthetic opioid often mixed into other drugs and causes accidental overdoses. The law takes effect immediately but expires on January 1, 2028, aiming to help hospitals identify fentanyl exposure and provide timely treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 724) allows New Jersey counties to create mentoring programs pairing experienced farmers with beginning farmers and to resell farmland preserved through county programs at reduced prices to beginning farmers. It defines "beginning farmers" as those with 10 years or less farming experience in New Jersey or first-time farmers meeting federal criteria. Counties may sell or lease preserved farmland (with required agricultural use restrictions) for less than the original purchase price, and the state's share of proceeds may be reduced to reflect the lower sale price. All proceeds from such sales must fund farmland preservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to expand eligibility for accidental disability benefits. It allows state employees who worked at a psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately before joining PERS to apply for benefits if they sustained a work-related injury after January 2003 - even if the injury occurred before they became a PERS member. The key change deems such injuries as happening during membership, making the employee eligible for the benefit. This adjustment specifically applies to injuries from duties at these facilities, without altering the requirement that injuries must be work-related and reported within five years (with exceptions for delayed symptoms).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires community agencies and care residences receiving state services to conduct criminal and motor vehicle history background checks on employees, heads, applicants, and household members at least every two years. It disqualifies individuals with certain offenses, including violent crimes, crimes against family/children, drug offenses, or recent motor vehicle violations like DUI or reckless driving within the past decade. Agencies must verify no disqualifying records exist before hiring or allowing housing, and refusal to consent to checks results in disqualification. The New Jersey Department of Human Services will conduct these checks and notify agencies of qualification status. This applies to all community care facilities and service providers under state contracts or licensing.