Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Commission on Black Women and Girls in New Jersey to address their specific needs through education, health, and policy recommendations. The commission will consist of eleven members, including several state officials and three public members appointed by the Governor to represent medical research and community organizations. Its primary function is to identify and suggest programs focused on issues like social-emotional learning, access to higher education, restorative justice in schools, and comprehensive sexual health education. While housed within the Department of Children and Families, the commission operates independently and has the authority to request information from various government entities to carry out its work.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18 of each year as "Worker Safety Day" throughout New Jersey to raise public awareness about workplace safety. It directly affects employers, employees, government agencies, and community members by encouraging them to collaborate on maintaining safe working environments. The key mechanism involves the Governor issuing an annual proclamation to call for appropriate activities and programs on this day. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or regulations but serves to highlight the importance of preventing work-related injuries and fatalities.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal process for New Jersey residents with dementia to create specific advance care plans that outline their medical wishes for when they can no longer communicate. It allows individuals to formally request "comfort feeding only," which means receiving food and fluids by hand for comfort while prohibiting life-sustaining measures like feeding tubes. To ensure these plans are followed, the state will establish a secure online registry for healthcare providers to access, and facilities will be required to honor these documents. The legislation also includes protections for medical staff who act in good faith according to these directives and mandates training programs to help caregivers understand and implement the new rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes employment protections in New Jersey for certified doulas who must leave work to attend births. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against doulas who miss shifts due to active labor clients, provided the doula gives at least one hour's notice. While employers are not required to pay for this unpaid time off, doulas may use vacation or sick days to be compensated for their absence. If an employer violates these rules, the doula can sue for reinstatement, lost wages, and civil fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates October of each year as "Walk to School Month" to encourage physical activity and community safety. It does not change laws or funding but asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation inviting schools, organizations, and citizens to hold events promoting walking and biking to school. The resolution highlights benefits such as improved health, reduced air pollution, and safer streets, while urging communities to plan safe routes for students.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires retail food establishments to clearly label any beverage containing 80 milligrams or more of caffeine per serving as "High caffeine" on all menus, including digital screens and drive-through boards. The law applies to both permanent and temporary menu items and mandates that the warning be placed directly next to the drink's name. If a business fails to comply, it faces fines ranging from $200 to $1,000 depending on whether it is a first or subsequent offense. Additionally, the bill prevents local governments from creating their own conflicting rules regarding these specific caffeine disclosures.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates August each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey to honor the contributions of American artists. The resolution requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools and cultural institutions to hold events during this month. It does not create new funding or legal requirements but serves as a symbolic recognition of the arts industry's impact on the state and nation.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent fund within the New Jersey Department of Education to help public schools support students affected by domestic violence. The fund will be financed through annual state appropriations, federal grants, and other available money, which can be used to provide therapy and trauma-informed mental health services in schools. Additionally, the money may help districts identify resources for unmet student needs and fund the hiring and training of mental health staff. Schools that receive these funds must report to the Department of Education on how the money is spent, while the department determines how to distribute the money among districts.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires institutions of higher education in New Jersey to provide free feminine hygiene products and ensure that at least 75 percent of restrooms for menstruating individuals are stocked with them. It also mandates that private employers with 100 or more employees offer these products to their staff and requires public buildings with accessible restrooms to stock them as well. The legislation establishes a $500,000 grant program administered by the Department of Health to support these initiatives, with at least half of the funds directed to community colleges. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies receiving federal block grants to include provisions for distributing free feminine hygiene products or stipends to low-income individuals in need.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $2 million state grant program to help New Jersey municipalities establish snow removal services for seniors. Under the plan, local governments can apply for up to $100,000 to clear snow and ice from the driveways, entrance ways, and sidewalks of homes occupied by residents aged 62 or older with household incomes below 65% of the area median. The funding is restricted to single-family or similar residences, excluding those living in rental units, condominiums, or other communities where the landlord or association already provides equivalent snow removal. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the fund and create necessary rules to oversee the distribution of grants.