Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how correctional facilities in New Jersey can suspend incarcerated people's phone privileges as a disciplinary measure. It requires facilities to allow at least one phone call every two weeks during a suspension, caps suspensions at 90 consecutive days or 180 days total per year, and prohibits suspensions for those in Restorative Housing Units. The bill also bans suspensions within 60 days of release, terminating any existing suspension during that period. These rules directly affect incarcerated individuals in New Jersey state and county correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryS 289 requires New Jersey's Chief Diversity Officer (in the Department of Treasury) to partner with the Business Action Center and Economic Development Authority to organize regular outreach events and training programs. These programs directly support certified minority and women-owned businesses by providing accessible technical, managerial, financial, and marketing assistance. Key provisions include virtual and in-person workshops at community locations (like non-profits or faith-based sites) to improve these businesses' access to state contracting opportunities. The bill mandates these activities to promote greater participation of certified minority and women-owned businesses in state procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed hospitals and nursing homes in New Jersey to provide 24/7 interpreter services for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. It specifically mandates that services include electronic options like video remote interpreting and AI-assisted interpreting, as approved by the Health Commissioner. The policy directly affects healthcare facilities and ensures patients with hearing disabilities can access care without language barriers. The requirement takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide students with disabilities access to assistive services during class, such as note-taking software or a scribe, to record course material. It specifically allows recording of lectures and class content for personal use but prohibits recording tests or graded assignments completed during class. The law takes effect immediately upon passage. It directly affects students with disabilities seeking accommodations in public higher education institutions across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public utilities to charge qualifying nonprofit organizations the residential utility rate (not commercial) for services at their primary location if the residential rate is lower. It defines qualifying nonprofits as those meeting IRS 501(c)(3) standards or New Jersey nonprofit corporation rules. Utilities must establish a certification process, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, for nonprofits to prove eligibility for the residential rate. This directly affects nonprofits using utility services and public utilities providing those services.

Maddy summaryS 483 creates a $100,000 grant program to help nonprofit organizations teach financial literacy. The Commissioner of Banking and Insurance will award grants of up to $5,000 each to 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on financial counseling or education. These grants fund classes covering budgeting, credit management, loans, and investing, specifically for high school, college, and adult education settings. The program expires after one year or once all $100,000 is spent.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 197) expands pretrial detention authority for defendants who violate protective orders issued under New Jersey's "Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act." It specifically allows prosecutors to seek pretrial detention for contempt violations related to protective orders in cases involving domestic violence, crimes against minors, human trafficking, or endangering a child's welfare. Key mechanisms include requiring a court hearing within three business days of a prosecutor's motion, establishing a rebuttable presumption of detention for certain violations (like domestic violence), and mandating that courts consider whether any release conditions could ensure court appearance and community safety. The bill directly affects defendants accused of violating protective orders in these specific victim-sensitive cases, altering the process for determining pretrial release.

Maddy summaryS 1982, the "Fentanyl and Xylazine Poisoning Awareness Act," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine in health and physical education curricula for students in grades 6-12. The bill mandates teaching about prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health standards, and the state education department must post related materials online for staff, students, and parents. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.278, and is no longer active.

Maddy summarySJR 64 designates October 12 of each year as "Jump4Jerry Day" in New Jersey to honor Jeremiah "Jerry" Grant, a young community leader and champion Double Dutch jumper who died at age 8 in 2017. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of Jerry's legacy and the work of Jump4Jerry, a nonprofit youth organization founded in his memory to help children develop life skills and confidence through community engagement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to include memory care training on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in the annual long-term care training program. The training must cover residents' specific needs, rights, and effective methods for addressing challenges faced by those with memory-related conditions. If the training program does not include this content one year after the bill takes effect, the Ombudsman must report to legislative committees about the delay and steps to implement it. The requirement ends once the training fully includes memory care content, directly affecting the Ombudsman's program and its participants, including staff, volunteers, and health department personnel.