Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryS 3457 establishes a New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs. The 20-member commission includes state agency leaders, legislative appointees, and community representatives from child care, education, and parent organizations. It will assess current programs, develop statewide quality standards, examine funding sources, and evaluate program access across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The commission must submit an interim report within one year and a final report within two years to the Governor and legislative education committees, then expire 30 days after the final report.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create and distribute a water safety fact sheet to parents and guardians of students in public and nonpublic schools. The fact sheet must cover reducing drowning risks, the importance of swim lessons, proper flotation device use, and monitoring water conditions. Public school districts must annually distribute the fact sheet to parents and maintain an online list of local swim lessons (including free/reduced-cost options), updating it yearly. Nonpublic schools are encouraged but not required to distribute the fact sheet.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Housing and Community Resources (in the Department of Community Affairs) to create a single, user-friendly online application for all state utility assistance programs. It directly affects residential customers who need help paying utility bills or making energy efficiency upgrades, replacing multiple separate applications with one streamlined form. The Division must collaborate with state agencies and designated nonprofits to develop this consolidated application and integrate temporary programs as they arise. The bill directs the Department to adopt necessary rules under existing administrative procedures to implement this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Innovation Authority, a new state agency within the Department of the Treasury, to lead technology innovation across state government. The authority will consist of 13 members, including nine public members with expertise in digital technology, data science, and public engagement, and will be led by a Chief Innovation Officer appointed by the Governor initially and then by the authority. The authority's key responsibilities include advising state agencies on modernizing government services, developing metrics to measure innovation progress, and preparing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. It will have the authority to contract directly with technology providers without standard public bidding requirements under certain circumstances and can transfer funds to nonprofit organizations like the National Center for Civic Innovation to support its work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use of force policy for law enforcement officers at least every two years. It mandates the Attorney General to consider four core principles during reviews: prioritizing de-escalation before force, using only reasonable/necessary force (with deadly force as a last resort), respecting human life, and requiring officers to intervene, provide aid, and report force incidents. The updated policy must be sent to all county/municipal police departments, prosecutors, and the State Police. This directly affects every law enforcement agency in New Jersey by establishing a regular, structured process for evaluating and improving use-of-force standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study racial disparities in ovarian cancer. The study must examine differences in rates, symptoms, risk factors, and outcomes among women of specific racial and ethnic groups, including Asian, African-American, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities. The DOH must complete the study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill expires once this report is submitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires transportation network company drivers (like those for Uber or Lyft) in New Jersey to complete a state-approved anti-human trafficking training course within 90 days of joining or being reapproved. The training, which can be taken online, covers human trafficking definitions, drivers' role in recognizing and reporting it, and how to report suspected cases. Drivers must certify completion to their company, and companies must track this in driver records while protecting the data from public disclosure under open records laws. The law applies to all drivers of these companies, both new applicants and existing drivers.

Maddy summaryS 3759 amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on "source of lawful income" in housing and employment. The bill defines "source of lawful income" to include housing assistance vouchers (like Section 8), disability benefits, veterans' benefits, child support, and other legal income sources. It clarifies that this prohibition applies specifically to income used for rental or mortgage payments, making existing protections more consistent throughout the law. The bill also increases the retirement benefit threshold from $27,000 to $44,000 and makes certain language gender-neutral.

Maddy summaryS 4012 establishes the "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to improve collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts in New Jersey. The pilot program, launching in three areas, requires joint development of workforce training with industry credentials, coordinated marketing, and integrated funding planning to better align services with employer needs. Community colleges are designated as the preferred providers for workforce training and adult literacy programs under state workforce services. The State Employment and Training Commission must submit annual reports on program outcomes and develop a statewide strategy to expand the pilot, with funding prioritizing federal sources before state funds. The program expires after three years but allows for anticipatory implementation steps.