Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting to students in grades K-5. It mandates that school districts incorporate cursive instruction into the curriculum, including activities to help students read and write cursive legibly by the end of third grade. The law applies to all public school students in these grades and takes effect immediately for the next full school year after enactment. The bill does not specify funding or assessment methods, focusing solely on the curriculum requirement.

Maddy summaryAJR 67 designates the last week of April each year as "Reentry Week" in New Jersey. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face when returning to communities, such as finding housing, employment, healthcare, and reconnecting with families. It encourages state agencies, local organizations, and communities to observe the week through activities supporting successful reintegration. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of reentry efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows advanced practice nurses to provide the medical documentation required for students to receive home instruction due to a health condition, which previously could only be provided by a physician. It directly affects students with temporary or chronic health conditions needing home instruction, their families, and New Jersey school districts. The key change amends existing law to expand the list of authorized health care professionals who can issue the written determination documenting the need for home instruction. This change is in addition to all other State Board of Education requirements for home instruction and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a preference in New Jersey state funding for municipalities that adopt specific housing strategies to increase residential density. Municipalities must amend their master plans and development regulations to allow for options like accessory dwelling units, multi-unit buildings in single-family zones, reduced parking requirements, and higher density housing near transit. Qualifying municipalities would receive preferential treatment in competitive state grant programs, including the Main Street New Jersey Program and Neighborhood Preservation Program. The bill also allows school districts in qualifying municipalities to receive up to a 10% increase in district aid percentages for school facilities projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires midwives and physicians in New Jersey to provide pregnant patients with written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, C-sections, and associated health risks) before labor begins. It mandates this information be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency residents, based on census data, during the initial consultation and annually thereafter. The content must cover all options, medication risks (like epidurals), and insurance coverage details. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey. The Department of Health must create rules to implement these requirements within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows families or guardians of individuals up to age 21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by their contracted service agency for use during holidays or weekends. It directly affects families receiving family support services through agencies contracted with New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care. The key provision requires the Division to permit setting aside unused "agency-after school care" hours - defined as social/recreational activities provided by community agencies during non-school hours outside the home - for holiday and weekend use. The bill does not create new services but changes how existing unused hours may be utilized. It takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special license plates featuring Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. After covering administrative costs, the collected fees are deposited into a dedicated fund that annually provides funding to support both organizations' missions and programs. The program requires Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta to cover initial costs (up to $25,000) through private donations and submit 500 applications before implementation. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 for two consecutive years, the license plate program may be discontinued, and it expires if required conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the New Jersey Suicide Hopeline to make follow-up calls to minors aged 16 or older who are identified as being at high risk of suicide without requiring parental consent. It amends state law to make a minor's consent for these follow-up calls valid and binding as if they were an adult, and confidential - meaning operators do not need to report the calls to parents or guardians. Currently, national guidelines for suicide hotlines require parental permission for such follow-ups, but this bill removes that barrier for minors 16+ seeking mental health support. The policy directly affects at-risk youth aged 16 and older who contact the Suicide Hopeline for crisis counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the civil service classification for State Investigators working in New Jersey's Division of Criminal Justice. Currently classified as unclassified employees (without full civil service protections), they will now be moved to a classified title under the civil service system. This change grants them standard job security, fair hiring processes, and grievance rights under state civil service rules. The bill applies to all current and future State Investigators in this role, effective immediately upon enactment.