Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an internet-based tracking system for rape kits (also called sexual assault forensic evidence kits). The system will allow victims, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and labs to monitor a kit's journey from collection at a medical facility through testing and final disposal. It mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for this tracking system, ensuring transparency in the chain of custody. The law, which became effective in January 2025, directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and forensic labs handling these kits.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Congress to advance the creation of a National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian on the National Mall. It specifically calls for reinstating the 2008 commission to develop the museum, noting that no national museum currently represents Latino contributions despite Latinos being the largest U.S. ethnic minority (60 million people, projected to be 25% of the population by 2060). The resolution does not create new laws but formally requests Congress take action, with copies sent to all New Jersey congressional members and leadership. It highlights the absence of a dedicated Latino museum compared to existing African American and Native American national museums. The resolution takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySJR 110 designates the first full week of May each year as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This resolution directly affects New Jersey residents with mental illnesses (estimated at 1.1 million adults, or 16.14% of the state population) who may take medications that can cause Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), a neurological condition causing involuntary movements. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise public awareness about TD symptoms and encourage early screening through regular medical check-ups. It aims to address the fact that approximately 70% of TD cases go undiagnosed, despite TD being treatable with timely intervention.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Bureau of Identification (SBI) to check if a person has an unprocessed court-ordered expungement before sharing their criminal history background information. It directly affects individuals who have had expungement orders granted but whose records haven't yet been updated in the SBI system. The key mechanism mandates that the SBI must verify and update records to reflect expungements before disseminating background checks for employment, licensing, or volunteer positions. This prevents the SBI from providing outdated or incorrect information that could unfairly block opportunities for eligible people.

Maddy summaryS 4044 requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to add rental assistance to the NJ FamilyCare program for specific beneficiaries. This assistance would help individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning from emergency shelters and have a serious mental illness or substance use disorder. If approved, the program would provide rental assistance directly to housing providers (not beneficiaries) for up to six months, expanding current housing services under the state's Medicaid waiver. The bill also directs the state to create implementing rules but does not change existing eligibility for other housing benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey hospitals to provide clear information about the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to patients who are crime victims in emergency rooms. It mandates that the Commissioner of Health, working with the Attorney General, create easily understandable pamphlets and signs detailing VCCO services, contact details, and how to file a claim. These materials must be distributed to crime victims and posted prominently in all general hospital emergency departments and licensed satellite emergency clinics. The policy aims to ensure victims of crime can access compensation resources immediately after an incident. The bill takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to specific state workers. It directly affects members of Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFTPE) who worked frontline, essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by the Division of Budget and Accounting in consultation with the union president to eligible employees across state agencies. The appropriation is supplemental to the 2025 budget and requires no new policy changes, focusing solely on compensating pandemic-era frontline staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4035) requires all New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to provide female inmates with free feminine hygiene products - such as tampons and sanitary pads - in multiple absorbency levels upon request. It amends existing law (P.L.2019, c.288) to replace the current requirement for "standard" products with a mandate for "varying absorbency levels" to better meet individual needs. The policy directly affects incarcerated women in all New Jersey correctional facilities, ensuring access to appropriate menstrual products without cost. This change updates current provisions that previously only required basic products to be available.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's existing telemedicine pay parity law, requiring health insurance plans to pay providers the same rate for telehealth services as in-person visits for covered services. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey (including Medicaid and private insurers) and affects providers delivering telehealth care. The extension, now ending December 31, 2025 (previously 2024), maintains the requirement that telehealth reimbursement equals in-person rates for covered services, excluding audio-only visits (which receive 50% of in-person rates) and behavioral health services (which receive full in-person rates). This is a procedural extension of an existing policy, not a new mandate.