Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch called the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The department will be led by a Commissioner appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, who will have full-time responsibility for overseeing its operations. Key provisions include granting the Commissioner authority to hire staff, create internal divisions, make rules and regulations, manage contracts and grants, and coordinate activities to prevent duplication of efforts across state agencies. The legislation also allows the department to accept donations and grants from various sources to fund its work.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the President and Congress to create federal property tax relief for honorably discharged veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities. The proposed legislation would provide annual tax benefits based on a percentage of property taxes, determined by the veteran's disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility would be limited to veterans with annual incomes up to $200,000 and would apply only to their principal residences. The resolution does not change any laws but serves as a formal request for federal action to address property tax burdens faced by disabled veterans across the country.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 15 of each year as "World Afro Day" throughout New Jersey to recognize and celebrate Afro hair. The resolution directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools and cultural institutions to observe the day with educational programs and activities. This symbolic designation aims to promote inclusivity and awareness regarding natural hair, building on New Jersey's 2019 CROWN Act protections against hair discrimination. The bill does not create new legal requirements but serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the importance of Afro hair culture and heritage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the state Attorney General to create and maintain a publicly accessible online database of domestic extremist organizations. The database would include details such as group names, purposes, membership tactics, and known criminal activities. It defines domestic extremism as violent criminal acts motivated by political or ideological viewpoints and requires the Attorney General to consult with Homeland Security officials when establishing the system. The law would affect law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and the public who might use the database for information about such groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide annual training to direct care staff on behavioral health issues. The training program, which the state health commissioner must establish in consultation with the human services commissioner, covers sensitivity to behavioral health needs, information about depression and other psychiatric disorders, and medication use for treating these conditions. The requirement applies to certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, and other health care professionals who provide direct care to nursing home residents. Nursing homes must complete this training every year, with the program taking effect seven months after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to include senior housing facilities, specifically age-restricted communities that qualify under federal fair housing laws. The key provision requires the ombudsman to accept, investigate, and resolve complaints regarding abuse or exploitation of elderly residents living in these communities. By amending existing state law, the bill ensures that oversight and advocacy services previously focused on long-term care facilities now also cover senior housing environments.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September of each year as "Kinship Care Month" in New Jersey to recognize and highlight the role of relatives and close family friends who care for children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic designation to raise awareness about kinship caregiving arrangements. It requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. The bill focuses on acknowledging the importance of kinship caregivers who provide stability and maintain familial connections for children in care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires long-term care facilities in New Jersey that specialize in Alzheimer's disease care to meet minimum staffing levels and maintain trained staff members available at all times. It mandates that facilities establish training programs for memory care therapy and annually certify compliance with enrichment activities and safety standards. The legislation also requires facilities to publicly report staffing numbers, describe Alzheimer's-specific activities, and submit annual data on antipsychotic medication use, while the state will conduct third-party reviews to identify and address excessive medication prescribing.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates June each year as "Dry Drowning Awareness Month" in New Jersey to promote public awareness about dry drowning and secondary drowning. The bill directly affects the general public, particularly families with children, by encouraging recognition of these rare but deadly conditions that can occur after water ingestion during swimming activities. Key provisions establish the official designation and request the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling for public programs and activities focused on water safety education. The resolution also outlines symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties, and behavioral changes that may indicate these conditions, emphasizing prevention through standard water safety measures like supervision and swimming lessons.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parents or guardians in New Jersey who plan to home-school their children to submit a written notice to their local school district by August 1 each year. The notification must include the child's name, date of birth, grade level, and the name of the person providing instruction. Additionally, school districts must compile and publish on their websites the total number of home-schooled children in their district along with the grade levels represented. These requirements aim to increase transparency and communication between home-schooled families and public school officials without changing the legal status of home education.