Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3271 requires background checks for staff working in specific child-focused programs. It mandates fingerprint-based criminal history checks for all current and prospective employees providing direct services to children under 21 in Behavioral Assistance Services and Intensive In-Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services programs. Staff may be permanently disqualified if they refuse checks, provide false information, are sex offenders, or have convictions for crimes like child abuse, violent offenses, or certain drug offenses within the past five years. Programs can cover the check costs or require staff to pay. This bill affects providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, NJ FamilyCare recipients, or children in the Children’s System of Care under 21.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to close schools on the day of both general elections and primary elections held for those general elections. It directly affects school districts across the state by removing their current discretion to set school calendars independently on these days. The key provision mandates that school boards must close schools on election days, replacing the existing practice where districts decided whether to close based on their own schedules. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3305 prohibits the creation or disclosure of deceptive audio or visual media ("deepfakes") that falsely depict someone's speech or conduct, directly affecting individuals who create or share such content without authorization. It establishes criminal penalties: a fourth-degree crime for creating deepfakes for unlawful purposes (like harassment or theft), and a third-degree crime for disclosing them without labeling them as deceptive (with fines up to $30,000). Victims can sue for civil damages of at least $1,000 per violation, plus attorney fees, and the law explicitly exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly broadcast deceptive content without clear labeling. The bill aims to prevent harm from manipulated media while preserving existing legal protections for interactive computer services.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3261) increases the maximum annual deduction for property taxes paid on a primary residence (homestead) from $15,000 to $25,000 for New Jersey residents filing state income taxes. It directly affects homeowners who itemize deductions on their state tax returns, allowing them to reduce taxable income by up to $25,000 in annual property taxes paid. The key change modifies Section 3 of the New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act to raise the cap, while maintaining existing rules about eligibility (e.g., primary residence requirement, limits for higher-income taxpayers). This is a direct policy change to tax benefits, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all coaches of school district and nonpublic school athletic activities in New Jersey to hold current CPR certification. The Department of Education must create a free, state-funded program to help coaches obtain this certification, using evidence-based national guidelines and hands-on training modeled after programs by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. The program will include a practical learning component for each coach and cover all implementation costs, which the state will bear. This policy directly affects school coaches by mandating accessible CPR training without personal expense.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3256) removes a ban on grocery stores providing single-use paper or plastic carryout bags specifically for delivery, pick-up, or curbside pickup orders. It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq. ft. selling food for off-site consumption) when handling these order types. The key mechanism is amending the existing law to add a new exemption in the definition of "carryout bag," explicitly allowing these bags for delivery/pickup orders while maintaining bans for other in-store purchases. The change follows findings that single-use paper bags use similar resources to plastic, and aims to align with New Jersey's broader plastic reduction goals.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3262) requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover medically necessary Lyme disease treatment recommended by a doctor. It applies to every type of health insurance policy - individual, group, HMOs, and state health plans - mandating coverage for treatment deemed necessary by a physician. The bill specifically prohibits insurers from denying coverage solely because a treatment is labeled "experimental" or "investigational." This directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance and their providers, ensuring access to Lyme disease care without insurer loopholes.
Maddy summaryS 3268 prohibits stores, restaurants, and other public venues from using facial recognition technology on customers, except when needed for genuine safety reasons like preventing violence. It defines "facial recognition" as software that identifies people by face or tracks their movements/emotions, and "legitimate safety purpose" as actions that reduce risks to life or safety. Businesses violating this law face fines up to $20,000 per offense or court-ordered penalties. The bill applies to any public place selling goods or services, including entertainment venues.
Maddy summaryS 3294 requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create a publicly available career and education guide specifically for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities attending the state's colleges and universities. The guide must detail institutional resources (like disability career centers, internships, and accommodations), provide practical career guidance (including employer disclosure tips and workplace accommodation strategies), and list national/regional support organizations. It mandates that each higher education institution in New Jersey report its available services to the Secretary for inclusion in the guide. The Secretary must post the finalized guide on the state's website within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This policy directly affects students with disabilities navigating higher education and career transitions across all New Jersey institutions.
Maddy summaryS 3287 requires New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism to create an annual marketing campaign promoting high school and college sports. The campaign must encourage participation, highlight physical/mental/social benefits of sports, boost event attendance, showcase the state's competitive athletics, and strengthen New Jersey's reputation for developing athletes. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to fund this initiative. It directly affects the Division of Travel and Tourism, which must implement the campaign while complying with existing laws on student name/image/likeness and athletic association rules.