Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in New Jersey to honor Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, three enslaved women whose bodies were used in experimental surgeries by Dr. J. Marion Sims in the 1840s that advanced gynecological techniques. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day and encouraging public officials and citizens to observe it with appropriate activities and programs. The bill focuses on acknowledging the historical contributions of these women to medical history and promoting recognition of their role in the development of modern gynecology.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $175 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial assistance to SNAP recipients whose federal benefits are reduced due to a federal government shutdown. The funds enable the state to issue monthly replacement benefits that make up the difference between a household's current federal SNAP payment and their previously approved benefit amount, ensuring eligible families receive their full certified food assistance. These replacement benefits are distributed through the existing SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer system and must be used exclusively for food purchases, following the same state rules as regular SNAP benefits. The state will seek reimbursement from the federal government by June 30, 2026, if federal SNAP funding resumes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Cybersecurity Task Force to evaluate and recommend strategies for addressing cybersecurity threats facing residents and businesses in the state. The task force will consist of 11 members, including state officials such as the Attorney General and legislative leaders, along with five public members appointed by the Governor from various professional and community organizations. The group will focus on identifying vulnerabilities, preventing cyber breaches, and developing recovery procedures, and must submit its findings to the Governor and Legislature within one year before the task force expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Health Equity Access and Leadership Fund in New Jersey to support health care organizations serving underserved communities. It establishes a dedicated account within the existing Health Care Subsidy Fund that will receive an initial $25 million appropriation plus ongoing allocations of at least 0.1 percent of projected Health Care Subsidy Fund revenues. The fund will distribute money through a competitive grant process to community-based organizations and service providers that offer essential health care services to underserved or underinsured populations affected by funding losses. The bill also requires the Health Care Subsidy Fund administrator to maintain separate accounts for different subsidy components and establish rules to ensure fund integrity.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2026 as Veterans Month in New Jersey to honor the state's approximately 350,000 military veterans. The resolution allows the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. This measure does not create new funding or policy changes but serves as a symbolic designation to recognize the contributions of those who served in the Armed Forces.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help New Jersey emerging businesses cover advertising and marketing costs. It defines eligible businesses as those with fewer than 225 employees, at least 75% of whom work in New Jersey, and that operate within the state. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will manage the program, review applications on a rolling basis, and determine grant amounts based on available funds. Recipients must submit annual audited financial statements to ensure proper use of funds, and grants may be converted to loans if misused.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Community Health Worker Program within the Department of Health to improve access to care in underserved communities. It establishes standardized training and certification for community health workers through colleges and integrates their services into Medicaid reimbursement. The program will begin in Newark and expand statewide within five years, overseen by a director and a nine-member advisory board representing various health and community sectors.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that New Jersey State police officers assigned to temporary out-of-unit duties or confidential roles are not excluded from promotion opportunities. It defines these roles as temporary separations from their regular units or positions involving access to sensitive information, such as protective services for government officials. The law requires that time spent in these assignments count toward the experience needed for promotion, preventing any penalty for serving in these special capacities. This change directly affects State police officers currently or potentially assigned to these specific positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and degree-granting institutions that work with online program managers to submit annual reports detailing how much money they pay these third-party companies and how that money is spent. The reports must include specific categories of spending such as advertising, recruiting, instruction, student support, technology, and curriculum development, and the state's Secretary of Higher Education will make these reports publicly available online. Institutions must also share copies of their contracts with the Secretary within 60 days of signing, renewing, or making significant changes to them. The law allows institutions to mark certain information as confidential, but all other data will be treated as public records. This measure aims to increase transparency around financial arrangements between educational institutions and the companies that help deliver their online programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Automotive Anti-Theft Systems Task Force within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to study ways to prevent car theft and parts theft. The task force will be made up of 16 members, including state officials, representatives from law enforcement and various industry groups, and four public members with automotive manufacturing experience. Its main job is to review current vehicle design features and security products, then submit a report with recommendations for improvements to the Governor and Legislature within six months of starting. The bill takes effect immediately but will end once the task force completes its report and submits it to state leaders.