Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summarySJR 24 designates the second week of September each year as "Library Awareness Week in New Jersey." It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities that highlight libraries' roles. The bill aims to promote awareness of libraries as community hubs providing free access to information, digital resources, and educational programs. It directly affects New Jersey residents and library professionals by formally recognizing libraries' contributions to democratic engagement and community learning. The resolution is procedural and does not create new funding or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $500,000 in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Huntington's Disease Grant Program within the Department of Health. The funds will support grants to institutions of higher education, non-profits, and New Jersey-based research organizations for services including pre-symptomatic testing, neurology care, counseling, and disease management. It directly benefits approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and an estimated 7,000 at-risk individuals. The supplemental appropriation increases the program's total FY2023 funding from $200,437 to $700,437. The bill does not change eligibility but expands existing support for medical care and counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2672) requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover planned home childbirth costs. It mandates coverage for services provided by healthcare providers (like midwives, nurses, and doctors), doulas, and necessary medical equipment, at the same level as other covered medical services. The law applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date, regardless of whether premiums can be adjusted. This directly affects insurance companies and Medicaid by expanding coverage options for individuals choosing home births.

Maddy summaryS 2797 would have required New Jersey public school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a goal of achieving legible cursive writing proficiency by the end of third grade. The bill mandated incorporating specific activities and materials into the curriculum to develop students' ability to read and write cursive, citing research linking cursive instruction to improved cognitive, motor, and literacy skills - particularly for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted through P.L.2025, c.284.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to maintain an emergency insulin stockpile with the 10 most common insulin types used by residents, reevaluated quarterly. It creates a program to provide one emergency 30-day insulin supply per year at cost to residents whose supply runs out before their next prescription, with reimbursement options from health plans. The bill also updates insurance coverage requirements to mandate benefits for one emergency insulin supply annually under health plans. It applies directly to New Jersey residents facing insulin shortages and establishes clear limits on emergency dispensing to prevent overuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for New Jersey disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability impairing their ability to walk. Eligible veterans (certified by the VA and verified by a licensed physician) must pay a $15 fee and display the plate to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing separate disability placards. The plates, marked "Disabled Veteran" and featuring a wheelchair symbol, are non-transferable and require valid display while parked. Misuse of the plate can result in revocation of the plate and associated privileges.

Maddy summaryS 1566 creates a $10 million grant program to support volunteer fire companies in New Jersey by funding operational costs and emergency equipment like protective gear, tools, and training. The program, managed by the Division of Fire Safety, requires volunteer fire companies to apply with detailed plans for fund use and report on expenditures and impact within one year. The bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the new "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program Fund," which will distribute grants annually to maximize participation across the state. This directly affects community-based volunteer fire departments seeking financial assistance for sustainability.

Maddy summaryS 2836 establishes a guardianship monitoring program within New Jersey's Office of Public Guardian for Elderly Adults. The program requires court-appointed guardians of elderly adults to submit regular reports on their wards' well-being and finances, which the Public Guardian will review for issues like abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. If problems are found, the Public Guardian can intervene in court proceedings. This directly affects elderly adults under guardianship, their appointed guardians, and the Public Guardian's office, which gains authority as an "interested party" to receive and review these reports. The bill amends existing law to create this oversight mechanism without changing guardianship appointment rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority's (NJRA) meeting rules by lowering the required quorum from 11 members to a simple majority of voting members. It directly affects the NJRA's operational procedures, which govern urban development projects across the state. The amendment modifies Section 4(f) of the relevant law, streamlining decision-making by requiring fewer members to be present for meetings to proceed. This is a procedural change with no impact on the authority's membership composition or substantive policies.