Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey State Police to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. The policy must guarantee at least eight weeks of paid leave after childbirth with full benefits, not counting as sick leave or reducing sick leave balances, and must exempt troopers from residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The Superintendent must post clear information about the policy, including required forms, FAQs, and contact details, on the State Police intranet. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already covered under P.L.2025, c.259.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summarySJR 51 designates May of each year as Haitian Heritage Month in New Jersey. This ceremonial resolution directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly the state's nearly 69,000 Haitian-American community, by requiring the Governor to issue annual proclamations encouraging public observance through educational programs and cultural activities. The bill focuses on raising awareness of Haitian history and contributions, including the Haitian Revolution and cultural heritage, without creating new policies or funding. It serves as a symbolic recognition, expanding on existing Haitian Flag Day observances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to implement comprehensive mental health programs for students. Key provisions include mandatory annual mental health awareness sessions, on-campus screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety, peer support programs using recovery-model best practices, and partnerships with local mental health providers to achieve a 1:1,250 clinician-to-student ratio benchmark. It also mandates Mental Health First Aid training for student advisors, resident assistants, and campus security staff. The law directly affects all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to increase access to services and reduce barriers for students seeking mental health support.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2919 allows eligible voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits voters to register in person at their assigned polling place on election day or at an early voting site in their county, provided they show ID or utility bill proof and complete a registration affirmation. The bill amends existing law to ensure provisional ballots cast under these conditions are counted if valid, without requiring prior registration. This change directly affects voters who register late but meets the in-person verification requirements at voting locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness unjustifiable force (per N.J.S.2C:3-7), civil rights violations (per P.L. 2003, c.3), or any criminal offense committed by another officer. The portal also allows anonymous reporting of non-criminal policy violations, with submissions using random identifiers instead of personal details. This directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct.

Maddy summaryS 193 (now law as P.L.2025, c.238) allows trained operators from New Jersey's 9-8-8 crisis hotline to make follow-up calls, texts, or chats with minors aged 16 or older who are identified as high-risk for suicide after an initial contact. It permits this communication with the minor's voluntary consent, without requiring parental authorization. The bill specifically clarifies that such follow-up is brief, supportive, and solely for suicide prevention - distinct from formal mental health treatment. This change directly affects minors at acute suicide risk who have already reached out to the crisis hotline.

Maddy summaryS 1398 (New Jersey) allows families or guardians of individuals up to age 21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by contracted agencies for use during holidays or weekends. The bill requires the Division of Children’s System of Care to permit this adjustment to existing family support services, specifically for "agency-after school care" - social/recreational activities offered by community agencies during after-school hours outside the home. It does not create new services but changes how existing authorized hours can be used. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same day as it was incorporated into another enacted law (P.L.2025, c.360).

Maddy summaryS 5034 establishes a pilot program to help hospitals in underserved communities maintain essential medical services at their original location when relocating. It appropriates $3 million to provide financial assistance for hospitals to cover costs of maintaining a "community access location" offering emergency care, psychiatric services, surgical services, and diagnostic imaging. To qualify, a hospital must have been approved by the Department of Health to relocate and must apply for funding, with the maintained location operating under the same license and serving all patients regardless of ability to pay. The program targets communities meeting specific criteria, such as having only one hospital and meeting medical underservice designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or arresting people based solely on immigration status, asking about immigration status (except in specific criminal investigations), or sharing personal information like license numbers or addresses with federal immigration authorities. The law explicitly states that police must focus on enforcing New Jersey's criminal laws, not federal immigration law, to maintain community trust and public safety. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers.