Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill expands civil rights protections by allowing individuals to sue if automated systems used in housing or lending unfairly discriminate against them. It defines "automated decision systems" broadly to include artificial intelligence and algorithms used for tasks like mortgage approvals, tenant screening, and rental pricing. Under the law, companies using these tools must prove their systems do not negatively impact protected groups, such as those defined by race, age, or disability, and they face liability if they cannot show a legitimate reason for the disparity or if a less discriminatory alternative exists. To ensure ongoing compliance, covered entities are required to conduct algorithmic impact assessments at least every two years and keep records available for review by state officials.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows chambers of commerce, trade associations, and nonprofit business coalitions in New Jersey to create their own group health insurance plans for their member businesses. To encourage participation, the legislation provides a state tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee annually for businesses enrolled in these new plans, with a maximum annual limit of $20,000 per taxpayer. Additionally, the bill requires the state to launch a public awareness campaign funded by at least $500,000 to inform businesses about these coverage options and offers grants to help organizations cover the administrative costs of managing the plans.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to create specific zoning rules for outdoor firing ranges. It requires local governments to establish safety guidelines that include posting signs, limiting ammunition types, and ensuring proper safety berms are in place. Additionally, the bill mandates that residents within the municipality and those living within one mile of a range must be notified of public hearings regarding these new rules.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill designates the Monday of Manufacturing Week as Women in Manufacturing Day to recognize the contributions of women in the state's manufacturing sector. The legislation amends existing law to officially name this day and requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the event. While the bill highlights the historical and economic importance of women in manufacturing, its primary function is to establish a formal day of recognition rather than to create new legal requirements or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $12 million program to fund community-led initiatives aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families in New Jersey. The funding is directed toward underserved urban areas, including Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City, to support culturally congruent care provided by Black medical professionals, midwives, and doulas. By creating resource centers that address systemic barriers and provide holistic support, the legislation seeks to reduce the state's high rates of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and infant mortality among Black women. The initiative specifically targets regions with significant health disparities to ensure equitable access to prenatal care and wellness services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires private contractors performing construction work in New Jersey (excluding public work or home improvement projects) to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development before starting work. It mandates registration with specific details including business information, licenses, and disclosures about labor law violations. The registration process includes providing tax IDs, unemployment insurance numbers, and documentation showing compliance with state business requirements. Contractors already registered for public works projects are exempt from these new requirements. The bill directly affects businesses engaged in private construction work who must register to legally operate in the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires these rates to match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services (Tiers D and E) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program, raising payments from $3.65 to $9.09 per 15-minute service unit. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers and beneficiaries receiving structured day care for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. It expands existing Medicaid reimbursement rules, which previously only covered community residential services for brain injury care.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the use of census data in calculating state funding for special education aid to New Jersey school districts. It amends existing school finance laws (P.L.1996, c.138 and P.L.2007, c.260) by removing references to census-based calculations and "State average classification rate" from the special education funding formulas. School districts receiving special education aid will no longer have their funding amounts determined using census data, shifting the calculation method to other established formulas. The change directly affects all New Jersey public school districts that receive state special education funding under current law.
Maddy summaryS 1659 requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. This applies to most construction projects, but excludes single-family homes, dwelling unit renovations/repairs, and small-scale alterations (e.g., to buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit and update it before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within 180 days of enactment. It does not apply to residential renovations or single-family home projects as defined in the bill.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for how employers and public agencies in New Jersey can use artificial intelligence and electronic tools to monitor workers or make hiring decisions. It defines specific types of automated systems and monitoring devices, such as those that analyze biometric data or track employee communications, while excluding basic security software. The legislation requires that these technologies be used fairly and accurately, ensuring they do not negatively impact essential job functions or discriminate against individuals. Additionally, the bill mandates that independent auditors conduct objective assessments of these systems to verify their impact before they are deployed.