Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a voluntary shared decision-making tool for maternity care hospitals and birthing centers. The tool provides standardized patient questionnaires, educational materials on birth options and risks (like cesarean sections), and resources to help patients collaborate with providers on care choices and develop birth plans. A three-year pilot program will test the tool at selected facilities across the state, tracking specific outcomes like rates of non-medically indicated inductions and cesarean sections. Participating facilities must report findings to the DOH, Governor, and Legislature after the pilot to inform potential statewide implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to create civilian review boards to examine police operations and conduct. Municipalities can establish boards via ordinance (with 7+ members appointed by the mayor), while counties may create county-level boards for participating municipalities. The $600,000 appropriation funds board operations, and members must complete training before reviewing officer conduct. Boards cannot recommend disciplinary actions without trained members, and members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement. The bill directly affects local governments, police departments, and community residents through these oversight mechanisms.

Maddy summaryS 3040 creates a 23-member "New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force" to study eviction trends and impacts across the state. The task force, including government officials, legislators, legal experts, and tenant advocates, will examine causes of eviction, its effects on families and communities, and potential policy solutions. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of forming. This bill does not change current laws but aims to inform future housing policies by analyzing eviction data and existing programs. The task force will expire once its report is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a publicly accessible online registry of individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses in New Jersey, separate from existing records. It requires courts to mandate counseling (6 months to 2 years depending on offense history), community service (minimum 1 year), and increased fines ($500 to $5,000 per offense) for convicted offenders. The registry would include personal details like name, physical description, vehicle info, and address, with removal options after 2-20 years based on offense count (excluding severe cases like homicide or sexual assault). The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and emergency HIV exposure medication (PEP) without a specific patient prescription under certain conditions. It directly affects HIV-negative individuals seeking prevention services who meet screening criteria, such as recent negative HIV tests and no contraindications. Pharmacists must complete training, verify patient eligibility using CDC guidelines, provide counseling, and document services, while also notifying primary care providers. The bill additionally requires health insurers to cover these medications under prescription benefits. This aims to improve access to timely HIV prevention by expanding pharmacists' role within established clinical protocols.

Maddy summaryS 2830 mandates that every New Jersey public school must employ at least one full-time school social worker, defined as a certified professional with a school social worker endorsement. Schools with over 500 students must add additional social workers in proportion to their enrollment. This requirement applies to all local school districts and takes effect for the first full school year after the bill becomes law. The bill directly affects school districts, students, and social workers by establishing specific staffing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear standards for rent-to-own agreements in New Jersey, directly protecting tenant-buyers who pay rent with the option to purchase a home later. It requires written agreements disclosing all key terms (total price, lease duration, option fees, rent credits), mandates property inspections before signing, and ensures landlords provide full financial disclosures. The bill prohibits unfair practices like non-refundable fees without cause, requires 30 days to cure defaults, and prevents landlords from waiving tenant rights. It also ensures tenant-buyers' interests remain protected if the property is sold to a third party or if insurance/eminent domain payments are involved.

Maddy summarySJR 21 designates every March as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. It directly affects individuals and families living with FMD, a rare vascular condition causing abnormal artery growth that often leads to misdiagnosis and complications like hypertension or stroke. The resolution aims to increase public and medical community understanding of FMD, which currently has no cure and lacks standardized treatment protocols.

Maddy summaryS 454 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to consider whether proposed electricity rate increases are affordable for customers before approving them. This directly affects electric utilities seeking rate hikes and the households and businesses that pay their bills. The bill adds "affordability to ratepayers" as a mandatory factor the BPU must evaluate, alongside existing considerations like utility costs and return on investment. It applies to all future rate cases submitted after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from charging more than $5 per month for online rent payments, such as credit/debit card or digital transfer fees. Landlords must cover any fees exceeding $5 or reimburse tenants within 10 days, and provide itemized receipts showing compliance. It directly affects renters - especially low-income tenants, seniors, and disabled individuals - who often face these extra charges. The law aims to prevent exploitative costs while aligning with existing housing protections.