Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2511 prohibits pet shops from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." Pet shops may still sell other animals, pet supplies, or collaborate with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. Violating this prohibition would result in a $500 fine per violation. The bill also prohibits shelters, rescues, and pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for payment, and defines "unfit for purchase" for animals sold by breeders or brokers.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2867 requires the Department of Education (DOE) to create and maintain a free, publicly searchable online registry for tutoring services. The registry will list individuals and organizations (like certified teachers, college students, industry professionals, and relevant nonprofits) offering free tutoring to students, including their contact details, subject expertise, and availability. To join, applicants must undergo criminal background checks (except for currently certified teachers), and organizations must verify their tutors' checks. The DOE must include a disclaimer stating the registry isn't an endorsement of service quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, Board of Public Utilities, and other relevant state agencies to review and potentially increase income thresholds for residential customers seeking utility bill payment assistance and energy efficiency programs. Within one year of the bill's effective date, agencies must assess factors like program alignment, use of State median income, and cost impacts, and request public input to determine appropriate increases. If low-income energy efficiency thresholds rise, the Board of Public Utilities must also adjust moderate-income program thresholds to prevent double eligibility and expand access. The bill takes effect immediately and expires after the first required income threshold increase.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their families (referred to as "New Americans"). It formalizes an existing office created in 2019, directing it to administer refugee resettlement services, health screenings, legal aid for low-income New Americans, and workforce development programs. The office will serve as a central hub for data and expertise, providing training to other state agencies on equitable engagement with immigrant communities and ensuring language access services. Crucially, the bill prohibits using collected data for immigration enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health care providers, such as physicians and registered nurses, to screen pregnant patients for lead exposure if risk factors are identified using federal guidelines from the CDC and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Providers must perform the screening once per pregnancy and, if elevated lead levels are detected, notify the patient in writing, explain the risks, and ensure that children under six in the household are screened. Laboratories must report test results to the Department of Health and local health departments within five business days. All screening records are kept confidential in a central database, with statistical reports available without personal information, and patients may opt out in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey paid and part-paid fire departments to adopt a written policy within 180 days addressing pregnancy-related workplace needs. The policy must cover disclosure of pregnancy, medical certifications for duty limitations, availability of light-duty assignments, and information about leave usage and continued benefits. Departments must follow National Fire Protection Association standards when creating the policy, which must be reviewed annually. It directly affects pregnant firefighters by ensuring clear, standardized workplace accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2380) allows school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in New Jersey school districts to refer students to licensed private mental health counselors for assessments and services. It requires parental consent for minors who cannot consent independently and prohibits referrals to providers with whom the school staff has a financial interest. The bill clarifies that school districts do not cover the cost of these private services, which remain the responsibility of the student or their family. It does not change existing school district mental health services but expands referral options for students needing external support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires ferry operators, public transit agencies (like NJ Transit and the Port Authority), and commuter rail services to create and publish clear route schedules. Specifically, it mandates that these providers post schedules at transportation facilities, on their websites, and update them within 30 days of any changes. Failure to comply could result in daily fines (e.g., $1 per day for ferry operators). The law directly affects riders by ensuring accessible, up-to-date transit information for bus, rail, ferry, and commuter routes across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill reassigns $2 million in existing state funding from "Salvation and Social Justice" to the "Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation" within New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The funds were originally allocated for a restorative maternal health birthing center in Trenton, and this bill simply transfers the same amount to another Trenton-based nonprofit with similar community development and maternal health initiatives. The bill does not create new funding, change the purpose of the funds, or alter the overall budget. It directly affects these two nonprofit organizations by shifting which entity receives the specific grant. The transfer is limited to the existing $2 million allocation for the maternal health birthing center project.

Maddy summaryS 5000 revises New Jersey's parole procedures by repealing a law that previously applied only to parolees released due to prison overcrowding. This change ensures all parolees, regardless of their release reason, now face the same standard process for handling violations like missing check-ins or failing to pay fees. The bill updates definitions (e.g., clarifying "technical parole violations" to include missed appointments or unpaid fines) and modifies parole board procedures for reviewing violations. It does not alter parole eligibility but makes the violation process consistent for every parolee.