Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new sentencing consideration for defendants who were victims of domestic violence or abuse when they committed a crime, and that abuse was a contributing factor to their offense. It allows courts to reduce sentences for qualifying defendants: up to 18 months for third-degree crimes, 3-5 years for second-degree, and 5-10 years for first-degree offenses. The bill also creates a resentencing process for defendants convicted before the law took effect who meet the criteria, requiring courts to consider evidence like domestic violence reports, social services records, and professional testimony. To qualify, defendants must have been victims of abuse that contributed to their crime, be incarcerated with no pending appeals, and not have previously sought this relief. The bill requires correctional facilities to notify eligible inmates about this resentencing opportunity and mandates judicial training on implementing the new provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create a statewide policy for K-12 schools within 90 days, addressing student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules (like banning non-academic phone use in class), emergency exceptions, accommodations for students with special needs, and options for device storage. School districts must adopt a policy consistent with the DOE's framework by the start of the next full school year, though they may apply for exemptions. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and staff across New Jersey, focusing on standardizing device use rules while allowing districts to implement stricter policies.
Maddy summaryS 2791 requires New Jersey state agencies to offer paper checks as an option for three types of payments: state employee compensation, unemployment insurance benefits, and state tax refunds. State employees can request a paper check in writing, and the State Treasurer must honor that choice for net pay. Unemployment claimants must receive written notice of payment options (paper check, debit card, or direct deposit) and sign a form to select or change their method. Taxpayers due a state tax refund must also be given the option to receive it as a paper check. The bill takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryS 4758 increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated and the incident occurred in a highway construction zone or a designated safe corridor. Currently, such crimes are typically a second-degree offense (with possible downgrade), but this bill adds construction zones and safe corridors to the list of locations that elevate the charge to first degree - previously, only school zones triggered this upgrade. A first-degree conviction carries 10-20 years in prison, a fine up to $200,000, or both, plus a driver’s license suspension of 5 years to life. The bill specifically targets incidents involving drivers violating New Jersey’s DUI laws (R.S. 39:4-50) in these high-risk areas.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to presume pretrial detention for defendants with two or more prior violent crime convictions who are charged with serious offenses like murder, life-threatening crimes, or domestic violence. It creates a rebuttable presumption that no bail or conditions would ensure court appearance or community safety, shifting the burden to the defendant to prove otherwise. Courts must hold a hearing within three business days of a prosecutor's motion, and defendants have the right to legal representation and to present evidence at the hearing. The law directly affects repeat violent offenders awaiting trial, altering pretrial detention procedures without changing sentencing outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It provides proportional grants to public and private K-12 schools based on each school's annual collection of plastic waste (like bags and packaging) during the prior school year. Schools submit applications showing they collected plastic for upcycling, and the DEP awards funds to purchase school-appropriate furniture (e.g., desks, chairs) made by authorized upcyclers from that collected plastic. The program operates on a pilot basis for three years, with grants distributed proportionally according to each school's share of total collected plastics. Eligibility requires schools to demonstrate plastic collection activities and donation of materials to approved upcyclers.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new sentencing consideration for defendants who were victims of domestic violence and whose abuse contributed to their criminal behavior. It amends New Jersey's sentencing guidelines to allow courts to impose reduced sentences when this factor is present, with specific sentencing ranges for different crime degrees (e.g., up to 10 years for first-degree crimes). The bill also creates a process for people currently incarcerated for 8+ years for crimes committed before the law's effective date to apply for resentencing, requiring evidence of domestic violence victimization at the time of the offense. Additionally, it requires the Department of Corrections to establish a grant program supporting trauma-informed reentry services, including mental health counseling, vocational training, and housing assistance for eligible individuals.