Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SJR 48 designates November each year as "Caregivers Awareness Month" to honor unpaid family caregivers and raise awareness about the challenges they face. The resolution requests the governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with events recognizing caregivers. It highlights that caregivers in New Jersey provide significant care - often 20+ hours weekly - while balancing work and health impacts, with many reporting emotional stress and health deterioration. This symbolic resolution does not create new programs or funding but aims to acknowledge the contributions of the estimated 65 million unpaid caregivers nationwide.

Maddy summarySJR 12 designates July 30 of each year as "Brian Sicknick Day" in New Jersey to honor Officer Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died protecting the Capitol during the January 6, 2021 attack. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day, commemorating Sicknick's 12-year service with the Capitol Police and his New Jersey roots. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it is a symbolic recognition of his sacrifice. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by establishing an annual day of remembrance.

Maddy summaryS 434 prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops and their customers. It repeals the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act" and requires pet shops to collaborate with animal shelters, rescues, and pounds to facilitate adoptions instead of selling animals. The bill defines "pet shop" separately from breeders and pet dealers, ensuring the law does not restrict responsible breeders or other sellers, but bans pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers for sale. The legislation aims to reduce sales of animals from puppy mills and increase adoptions from shelters, which the bill cites as having "unadopted" animals available.

Maddy summaryS 2862 requires New Jersey public school districts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) education into K-12 curricula, covering basic concepts, foundational skills, and ethical use, with age-appropriate resources provided by the Commissioner of Education. It also mandates all public colleges and universities to offer AI certificate and degree programs, with the Secretary of Higher Education developing model curricula for both four-year institutions and community colleges. The model curricula must meet accreditation standards, include career pathway materials describing AI jobs, and ensure students gain preparation for AI-related careers. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public K-12 schools and higher education institutions, aiming to standardize AI education across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of paying for sex (being a "patron") from a less serious disorderly persons offense to a crime, imposing a minimum $10,000 fine for first-time offenders. It directly affects individuals who pay for sexual services, not sex workers. All fines collected from prostitution-related offenses - including those for paying for sex - will now be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" established under prior law. The bill also increases penalties for offenses involving minors, requiring a minimum $25,000 fine. This policy change shifts both the legal classification of patronage and the funding mechanism for victim support.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Board of Paramedicine to regulate paramedics and emergency medical services. It establishes a 15-member board with specific representation (including 5 practicing mobile intensive care paramedics, 3 EMTs, medical specialists, and public members) to set licensing standards and oversee paramedicine practice. The bill repeals outdated statutes and defines key terms like "advanced life support" and "paramedicine" based on national guidelines. The board will regulate licensing, scope of practice, and professional standards for paramedics and EMTs in New Jersey. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Commerce Committee.

Maddy summaryS 650 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program promoting building electrification and decarbonization within one year of enactment. It directs electric utilities to develop multi-year plans meeting BPU-established greenhouse gas reduction targets, focusing on switching to efficient electric equipment like heat pumps for water/space heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits, and include specific methods such as replacing gas systems with electric alternatives. This bill directly affects electric utilities across New Jersey and aims to reduce emissions while aligning with the state's energy master plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the civil service classification for State Investigators working in New Jersey's Division of Criminal Justice, moving them from unclassified to classified service. Currently, these investigators lack full civil service protections, but the bill would grant them standard civil service benefits like job security and due process. The key mechanism is amending a 1977 law to establish "State Investigator" as a classified title, requiring the Civil Service Commission to convert all existing unclassified positions to classified status. This change directly affects current and future State Investigators by ensuring they receive the same employment protections as other classified civil service employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Medicaid payment rates for specific behavioral health services provided to adults in New Jersey. It raises reimbursement rates for in-person partial care (20+ hours/week) and intensive outpatient services (9+ hours/week) by 35%, covering costs like counseling, psychiatric evaluations, and medical services. It also sets a minimum $10 reimbursement per one-way trip for transportation to these providers. The changes apply to adult Medicaid beneficiaries (21+) with severe mental illness or substance use disorders receiving these services, effective after the bill's enactment.