Maddy summaryS 383, the "Full Disclosure Ultrasound Act," requires physicians performing or referring for abortions in New Jersey to offer patients an ultrasound or sonogram within 48 hours of referral or before the procedure, allowing them to view the image of the embryo or fetus. Facilities must have ultrasound equipment available or access to it, and physicians must verify this offer in writing within 14 days. If a health issue is detected via ultrasound, physicians must inform the patient at least 24 hours before the procedure. Exceptions apply for medical emergencies (defined as serious physical risks requiring immediate action, excluding psychological conditions), and violations carry civil penalties up to $250,000 for repeated offenses. The bill directly affects abortion providers, facilities, and patients seeking abortion care in New Jersey.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of State to create an agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts to match New Jersey's statewide voter registration database with jury records. It specifically targets individuals who claimed non-citizenship as a reason for being excused from jury duty, allowing the state to identify and remove them from voter registration rolls as ineligible non-citizen registrants. The matching process applies retroactively to all available jury records since 1994, when New Jersey began allowing voter registration during driver's license applications. This policy change directly affects non-citizen voters who registered but later indicated non-citizenship in jury-related paperwork.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board post a public link for virtual attendance on its website and allows remote public comments during meetings with comment periods. The law directly affects residents seeking to participate in education policy discussions and the State Board of Education, which must implement these accessibility measures. The provisions take immediate effect upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a temporary pause on new lawsuits challenging municipalities' legal duty to provide affordable housing under the "Fourth Round" obligations starting in 2025. It blocks such litigation from commencing before January 1, 2029, and remains in effect until December 31, 2028. Existing cases filed prior to the bill's enactment are not affected. The moratorium aims to allow the legislature time to develop new rules for affordable housing obligations instead of relying on court litigation.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 426 revises how school districts can count virtual or remote instruction days toward the state's 180-day school year requirement. It allows districts to use virtual days during declared emergencies (like public health crises) without prior commissioner approval, provided they submit a plan within 30 days. For non-emergency closures (e.g., weather), districts need superintendent approval for up to 10 days or commissioner approval for longer periods. The bill also requires equal access to virtual instruction for students with disabilities, including services outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and mandates the commissioner to issue guidance on tech access, instruction length, and impacts on school meals and testing.
Maddy summaryS 429 establishes a state certification program for businesses owned and controlled by people with disabilities in New Jersey. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by individuals with disabilities, with management responsibilities held by them (not just ownership documents). The Division of Revenue will process applications online, requiring documentation of ownership, organizational structure, and business registration. Certified businesses gain access to state contracting opportunities through the SAVI database, helping them compete for government contracts.
Maddy summarySCR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs; the amendment would require the Legislature to establish a single statewide calculation for all affordable housing units needed across the entire state. This would eliminate regional distinctions, making the statewide total the exclusive obligation mandated by the Constitution. The change would directly affect all municipalities, shifting their housing requirements from localized regional targets to a unified state-level standard. The amendment must be approved by voters after legislative passage.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 23) urges Cuba to extradite Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur), a convicted murderer of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. It directly addresses Cuba, referencing her 1977 life sentence for the 1973 murder and subsequent escape to Cuba in 1979, where she received political asylum. The resolution, introduced in the New Jersey Senate, asks Cuba to extradite her as part of renewed U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations. It is a non-binding symbolic gesture, not a law, with no legal enforcement power.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate resolution (SR 26) opposes President Biden's current border policies and urges him to reinstate specific measures from the prior administration. It specifically references policies like the border wall, Title 42 expulsions during the pandemic, the "remain in Mexico" asylum policy, and Safe Third-Country Agreements with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The resolution is symbolic - it does not change federal law but formally expresses the state's position to the White House and Congress. It argues these policies successfully secured the border and that current approaches have led to increased border crossings and security concerns. The resolution was introduced in January 2024 and referred to a committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 393) allows New Jersey municipalities to earn one affordable housing credit for each low- and moderate-income resident living in an "alternative living arrangement" to meet their fair share housing obligation. Alternative living arrangements include shared housing like transitional homeless facilities, boarding homes, group homes for people with disabilities, and residential health care facilities, where residents share kitchens, plumbing, and common areas. The bill requires affordability controls on these arrangements to remain in effect for at least 10 years. This policy change directly affects municipalities seeking to fulfill housing requirements and residents in qualifying shared housing settings.