Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryS 2975 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in collaboration with the Commission on Human Trafficking, to establish a statewide "Red Sand Project" awareness initiative during January (Human Trafficking Prevention Month). The initiative will use red sand poured in sidewalk cracks - a public awareness method created by artist Molly Gochman - to highlight human trafficking victims who "fall through the cracks" of social systems. Funding for the project may come from the existing Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund, as authorized under current law. This bill directly affects state agencies and aims to strengthen public education about trafficking prevention and victim resources.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2611 requires all public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all campus buildings, including lecture halls, residence halls, and administrative offices. Specifically, products must be available in all women’s restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men’s restroom per building, with a variety of options including different absorbencies and allergy-friendly brands. Institutions must also install dispensers (without replacing existing ones if functional), provide educational materials about menstrual health, and submit costs for state reimbursement. This directly affects students and staff at New Jersey’s public higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "The Voter Convenience Act," allows New Jersey voters to cast ballots at any polling place within their municipality on election day, rather than being restricted to their assigned location. County election officials must develop uniform guidelines using electronic poll books to verify voter eligibility and provide the correct ballot for the voter's election district. It applies to all municipalities that choose to implement the change, with optional countywide voting locations also permitted. The bill modifies election procedures but does not alter voting eligibility or ballot content.

Maddy summarySCR 93 is a New Jersey Senate resolution urging the U.S. President and Congress to adopt the "Poverty Line Act of 2023," a proposed federal bill. It does not create new law but advocates for updating how the federal poverty level is calculated - currently based on 1960s food budgets adjusted for inflation - to reflect modern costs like housing, childcare, and healthcare. The resolution states this change would make millions more families eligible for programs like Medicaid and SNAP, particularly affecting those in New Jersey who live above the current poverty line but still struggle to afford basics (e.g., 26% of households in NJ in 2021). The proposed act would also require a federal review of the calculation every four years to ensure it aligns with current living costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives tuition for the classroom portion of state-recognized apprenticeship programs at New Jersey public colleges and vocational schools for students with household income below the state median. To qualify, students must not have employer-covered tuition, exhaust federal financial aid options, and maintain active apprenticeship employment with satisfactory academic progress. The state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs, effective immediately for the next academic year. It directly affects low-income apprentices in eligible vocational training programs across New Jersey.

Maddy summarySCR 43 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's Constitution that grants every resident a fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, a safe climate, and ecologically healthy habitats. It requires the state to act as trustee of public natural resources - such as air, water, public lands, and wildlife - and mandates that these resources be conserved and maintained for all people, both present and future. The amendment specifies that these rights are self-executing, meaning they can be directly enforced in court without requiring new legislation. If approved by voters, this would become a permanent part of New Jersey's Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to reimburse providers at the same rates for certain primary care and mental health services as the federal Medicare program. Starting July 1, 2023, Medicaid rates must equal or exceed Medicare Part B rates for services provided by family doctors, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, midwives, and mental health professionals like psychologists and social workers. The law ensures current Medicaid rates won't decrease and applies to both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid systems. It also mandates a report within one year to the Governor and Legislature on how these rate changes affect access to care and service quality for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2942) amends New Jersey's domestic violence law to allow minors aged 16 and older to seek restraining orders as victims and be subject to them as defendants. Currently, victims must be 18+ or emancipated minors to qualify; this change lowers the age threshold to 16. The law now includes all minors 16+ as "victims of domestic violence" regardless of marital status or relationship type, covering the same 19 offenses listed (like assault, sexual assault, and stalking). It applies to all domestic violence cases occurring on or after the law's effective date. This directly affects teenagers aged 16-17 involved in domestic violence situations with peers or partners.

Maddy summaryS 2944 prohibits New Jersey auto insurers from using a person's education level, occupation, or credit score to determine insurance rates. It also bans insurers from asking for this information during the application process. This bill directly affects all drivers in New Jersey who apply for or renew auto insurance, as insurers must now base rates on other factors like driving history. The law requires insurers to file their underwriting rules with the state commissioner for approval and public inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes county-level "ATV Law Enforcement Task Forces" in each of New Jersey's 21 counties to improve coordination of enforcement efforts for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) laws. Each task force, led by the county prosecutor and including sheriffs, police chiefs, and park law enforcement, will develop mutual aid plans to share resources and strategies for addressing illegal ATV operation. The plans will include procedures for seizing ATVs operated illegally under existing law (P.L.2021, c.353), which allows municipalities to declare illegally operated ATVs as contraband. The state will provide $1 million in funding to support these task forces, with counties required to adopt their mutual aid plans within six months of the bill's effective date.