Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit rape kits (sexual assault evidence) to a forensic lab within 10 business days of receipt and have them analyzed within six months, if staffing and resources allow. For cases collected before the bill's effective date, agencies must report unsubmitted cases within 45 days and arrange for submission within 180 days. The Superintendent of State Police must submit a plan for analyzing these cases - including a timeline and resource requests - within 120 days of the bill taking effect. Each submitted kit must include a certification stating it is for a criminal investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A560) requires all New Jersey transportation network company (TNC) drivers - like those for Uber or Lyft - to complete an anti-human trafficking training course approved by the Attorney General. The training, which can be taken online, covers human trafficking definitions, how drivers can report it, and steps to respond to suspected cases. Drivers must certify completion to their TNC; failure to do so results in being blocked from using the app until certified. TNCs must also track and document completion in driver records within 90 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3089, the "Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act," requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault evidence (commonly called "rape kits") to designated forensic laboratories within 10 business days of receipt. It mandates that all submitted kits be analyzed within six months of receipt, contingent on available staffing and resources. The bill also addresses existing backlogs by requiring agencies to report unsubmitted cases within 45 days of enactment and to submit them within 180 days, while directing the State Police Superintendent to create a 120-day analysis plan for backlog cases. This directly affects municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies handling sexual assault investigations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4175 requires the Attorney General to review and update the statewide use of force policy for law enforcement officers at least every two years. The policy must prioritize de-escalation, limit force to objectively necessary and proportional levels (with deadly force only as a last resort), and mandate duties like intervening, providing medical aid, and reporting incidents. This affects all county and municipal police departments, prosecutors, and the State Police, who must receive revised policies. The bill establishes a structured process for policy updates without altering current enforcement standards.

Maddy summaryS 4040 requires New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other public entities to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA). The CNA distributes products made by rehabilitation facilities that employ people who are blind or have severe disabilities, supporting their employment through guaranteed market access. The bill mandates training for purchasing agents on the CNA program and grants the agency a right of first refusal for goods/services within 15% of fair market value. Public entities must report compliance with these requirements to the State Treasurer and the Legislature annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates honoring Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. It requires a $50 one-time application fee and $10 annual renewal fee for these plates, with all collected fees (after covering program costs) deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund's proceeds must be annually appropriated to support both organizations' missions, while the organizations must cover initial implementation costs (up to $25,000) and provide 500 applications before the program launches. The program remains inactive until these conditions are met, with an expiration if requirements aren't satisfied within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of cosmetics, carpets, and fabric treatments containing intentionally added PFAS (forever chemicals) starting two years after enactment. It also requires cookware manufacturers to notify consumers if their products contain PFAS. The law directly affects manufacturers of these consumer goods and aims to reduce human exposure to PFAS, which accumulate in the environment and are linked to health issues like cancer. The bill mandates state-funded research and educational programs about PFAS to protect public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special license plates featuring Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. After covering administrative costs, the collected fees are deposited into a dedicated fund that annually provides funding to support both organizations' missions and programs. The program requires Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta to cover initial costs (up to $25,000) through private donations and submit 500 applications before implementation. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 for two consecutive years, the license plate program may be discontinued, and it expires if required conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county colleges to collaborate with county social services boards and state agencies to expand access to social services for low-income students. It mandates colleges to provide students with information about programs like SNAP, TANF, and childcare subsidies, and to facilitate direct application assistance through on-campus partnerships. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges must coordinate with the Department of Human Services to train college staff on helping students navigate these supports. Additionally, colleges must partner with workforce boards to identify unemployed residents and connect them to career-focused college programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5358) revises New Jersey's Secure Choice Savings Program to require **all employers with at least one employee** in New Jersey to offer automatic payroll deductions for retirement savings, replacing the current threshold of 25+ employees. It directly affects private-sector employers (excluding state government) by mandating they set up payroll arrangements allowing employees to contribute to the program, with automatic enrollment at 3% of wages unless employees opt out. Key provisions include allowing employees to choose contribution levels (up to IRA limits) and investment options, with employers retaining the ability to offer alternative retirement plans. The bill removes the prior "small employer" category to reflect this expanded requirement.