Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to provide free contactless EBT cards to all SNAP recipients by January 31, 2027. The law mandates that the department contract with a vendor to produce these tap-to-pay cards and publish progress reports by county within six months of enactment. It also directs the state to seek necessary federal waivers and grants to support implementation. The legislation establishes a specific deadline for replacing older EBT cards with newer technology that allows users to wave or tap cards at checkout terminals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on the source of a person's lawful income used for rent or mortgage payments. It directly affects landlords, property managers, and other housing providers by adding "source of lawful income" to the list of protected characteristics alongside race, disability, and other existing categories. The legislation requires housing providers to treat applicants fairly regardless of where their income comes from, as long as it is legally earned. This change expands existing civil rights protections to ensure people cannot be denied housing solely because of how they earn their money.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new New Jersey program to improve lung cancer screening awareness and access for first responders and veterans. The Department of Health will coordinate outreach and referrals to help these high-risk groups learn about and access low-dose computed tomography screening, which is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with significant smoking histories. The program will work with existing public and private coverage options to remove barriers to screening for these populations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes protections for smaller customers by requiring large industrial users consuming 50 megawatts or more to bear their own costs when grid reliability measures are needed. It mandates that load-serving entities pass through any financial obligations from reliability backstop procurement directly to these large customers rather than spreading costs across all ratepayers. Additionally, large-load addition customers must provide financial security and detailed usage information to ensure their demand does not negatively impact other New Jersey customers. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities will develop specific rules to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey SNAP retailers to display informational posters that teach recipients how to protect themselves from fraud and theft of their benefits. The Department of Human Services must provide these signs to all authorized stores, with specific guidance on securing electronic benefit cards, such as how to lock and unlock them. Retailers must place the materials in a prominent, easily accessible area where SNAP recipients frequently visit. The law also directs the state to create rules for implementing these requirements and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows elevator inspectors in New Jersey to meet licensure requirements by obtaining certification as a qualified elevator inspector. It affects elevator device owners, inspection firms, and local enforcing agencies by establishing a formal registration and inspection framework. The key provision requires elevator devices to be registered with the Department of Community Affairs and inspected by qualified firms, which can waive certain routine inspection fees if the owner designates a responsible inspection firm. The bill also outlines procedures for handling dangerous conditions, including immediate prohibition of use and written notifications to owners and authorities. Additionally, it authorizes the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create rules governing inspector qualifications, firm registration, and associated fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 22nd as "Stuttering Awareness Day" and the second full week of May as "Stuttering Awareness Week" throughout New Jersey. It requires the Governor to issue annual proclamations encouraging public officials and citizens to observe these designations with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution aims to promote awareness of support and treatment services available to individuals who stutter and educate the public about the condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3521) codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It prohibits state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers from stopping, questioning, arresting, or detaining individuals based solely on immigration status or federal immigration violations. The law also bans officers from asking about immigration status (except when directly relevant to investigating a specific crime) or sharing personal data like Social Security numbers, license details, or addresses with federal immigration authorities for enforcement purposes. The bill explicitly affirms that law enforcement must focus on state criminal law enforcement, not federal immigration enforcement, to maintain community trust and public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey government entities and healthcare facilities from collecting or sharing certain personal information, including immigration status, citizenship, birthplace, Social Security numbers, and tax IDs, except when necessary to provide public services or benefits. It prevents these entities from disclosing such information publicly, except under specific legal circumstances like court orders, subpoenas, or when required for election eligibility. The bill also specifically restricts the sale or sharing of automated license plate recognition data collected by government agencies. These provisions aim to limit unnecessary data collection and protect individuals seeking public services or healthcare.

Maddy summaryS 593 requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically mail a mail-in ballot application to every registered voter who is 17 years old upon their 18th birthday. This directly affects 17-year-old registered voters who will turn 18 before the next general election. The bill mandates that counties send these applications without voter action, and the state will reimburse counties for mailing costs up to the standard rate for a two-ounce first-class letter. The policy aims to simplify mail-in ballot access for newly eligible voters at age 18.