Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to create a statewide program offering therapeutic treatment and counseling for children and their families exposed to domestic violence. To support this initiative, the department will provide grants to service providers, assign staff to assist with implementation, and require participating organizations to keep detailed records of their services. The legislation also mandates that the department collect data on program participation and effectiveness, reporting these findings annually to the Governor and the Legislature. Funding for the program will be drawn from the state's General Fund, and the act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "The Truth, Reconciliation, and Repair Act of New Jersey" to formally acknowledge the state's historical role in slavery and systemic racial discrimination affecting Black residents. It directs the state to create a comprehensive educational program that details the history of over 12,000 enslaved people in New Jersey and the lasting impacts of these injustices on the community. The legislation also mandates the development of specific policies to address current disparities, such as the racial wealth gap and segregated schools, moving beyond previous symbolic apologies to actionable accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special parking program for immediate family members of individuals diagnosed with dementia in New Jersey. It allows caregivers to apply for a placard that permits them to park in spaces reserved for municipal residents, university lots, and designated areas at medical facilities and retail stores. The program includes provisions for overnight parking and metered spots for up to 24 hours without penalty, provided the vehicle is being used to render health or personal care services. Placards are valid for two years, require a modest application fee, and must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission to prevent misuse.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue alternate high school diplomas to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities starting in the 2027-2028 school year. These diplomas are standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like language arts, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these diplomas to be counted in state graduation rate reports. Additionally, the bill permits students participating in the alternate assessment program to still attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to organize monthly seminars, either in-person or virtual, to educate customers about electric power and gas suppliers. The legislation mandates that utility companies provide a standardized one-page information sheet in both English and Spanish when customers switch providers, ensuring the document clearly explains contract terms, pricing, and the risks of unauthorized switching. Additionally, the bill establishes rules prohibiting discrimination in customer acceptance, restricts how optional charges are advertised, and sets uniform credit requirements for residential and small commercial accounts. These measures aim to increase consumer transparency and protect vulnerable customers from unfair marketing practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to provide private lactation rooms at its airports for parents who need to express breast milk. Airports with at least one million annual passengers must have these rooms immediately, while smaller airports with between 10,000 and 1 million passengers must provide them when building new terminals or renovating existing ones. The rooms must be located behind security checkpoints, outside of public restrooms, and include a chair and electrical outlet, with a sink also required for newly built or renovated facilities. The law only takes effect if New York State passes matching legislation, ensuring consistent rules across both states.

Maddy summaryThe "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act" prohibits harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, against students in nonpublic schools in New Jersey. It requires these schools to create and share clear anti-bullying policies with staff, students, and parents while mandating prompt investigations into reported incidents. The law also obligates school employees to report witnessed or heard bullying within two days and ensures victims are informed about investigation outcomes in an age-appropriate manner. Additionally, the legislation includes a provision stating that these measures do not infringe upon free expression or religious rights protected by the state and federal constitutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey Medicaid eligibility to include individuals who were formerly in foster care and are under 21 years old. It removes a previous barrier that required these individuals to meet "dependent child" criteria to qualify for Medicaid benefits. The change directly affects young adults aging out of foster care systems, ensuring they can access comprehensive medical coverage without meeting the standard dependent child requirement. The policy modifies existing Medicaid definitions to explicitly include this group as "qualified applicants" under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and sports participation during the holy month. Students may substitute PE with an instructional course or study hall (earning equivalent graduation credits) by submitting written notice to their principal before scheduling. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports or cheerleading programs by notifying their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students' religious obligation to fast during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the role of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute to oversee the implementation of a new children's mental health data dashboard and related improvements. It transfers $3 million from the Department of Children and Families to the Department of Human Services to fund this initiative, which involves creating a visual map of how families access care and analyzing eligibility rules and barriers. The Institute will coordinate with various state agencies to study current services, identify disparities based on factors like race and payer type, and develop policy recommendations to improve the system. Additionally, the Institute will serve as the central entity for implementing the findings from this study to make pediatric mental health care more efficient and accessible across the state.