Rep. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6267) changes how the Cannabis Regulatory Commission is structured and operated in New Jersey. It establishes that the commission will have five members appointed by the Senate President, Speaker of the General Assembly, and Governor (with one designated as chair), requiring at least one member to represent organizations focused on social justice issues. Members must have relevant expertise in areas like criminal justice, public health, or industry management, and receive capped salaries ($165,000 for the chair, $160,000 for others). The commission will oversee both medical cannabis regulation (transferring authority from the Department of Health) and personal cannabis use under existing laws.

Maddy summaryAJR 57 designates March 30th of each year as "Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness activities about MTSS, a rare but serious bacterial infection. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or policies, but formally establishes an annual day to highlight MTSS prevention and symptoms for New Jersey residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum daily reimbursement rate of $950 for pediatric special care nursing facilities (SCNFs) participating in New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. It directly affects SCNFs providing specialized long-term care to children and youth up to age 21 who require medical services beyond standard nursing care. Facilities must comply with state and federal regulations on licensure, patient safety, and care quality to qualify for this rate. The state will appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover the increased reimbursement costs, and the Department of Human Services must seek necessary federal approvals for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study racial differences in ovarian cancer outcomes. The study must examine variations in cancer effects, rates, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment results among women of specific racial and ethnic groups, including Asian, African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities. The DOH must complete the study and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's enactment, after which the bill expires. The measure directly affects women in these communities by seeking data to understand potential disparities in ovarian cancer care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Disordered Eating Prevention within New Jersey's Department of Health and creates a Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Program. The Office must develop an annual public resource on disordered eating (available in multiple languages and culturally sensitive), partner with schools and mental health programs, and administer the grant program. The grant program provides funding to eligible organizations - such as nonprofits, researchers, or service providers - to study the root causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies for disordered eating among youth, adults, and older residents. The Office must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's activities and findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit housing and employment discrimination based on "source of lawful income." It defines "source of lawful income" to include public assistance, housing vouchers (like Section 8), disability benefits, veterans' benefits, child support, alimony, and other lawful payment methods. The law now makes it illegal for landlords to refuse rental payments based on the source of income, and for employers to discriminate against applicants or employees based on how their income is earned. This directly affects tenants and job seekers who rely on non-traditional income sources, particularly those using public assistance programs or housing vouchers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all menstrual products sold in New Jersey - including tampons, pads, discs, cups, and underwear (both disposable and reusable) - to list every ingredient on the package in descending order of quantity. The label must be clearly visible and understandable to consumers. Manufacturers who sell noncompliant products after the bill’s effective date face civil penalties of up to 1% of their annual in-state sales per package, capped at $1,000 per item, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies only to products manufactured after the effective date and excludes shipping packaging.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, import, export, and propagation of 31 specific invasive plant species (including Japanese barberry, English ivy, and Japanese wisteria) in New Jersey, directly affecting nurseries, garden centers, landscapers, and anyone importing or selling these plants. It establishes a New Jersey Invasive Species Council to advise state agencies and develop rules for future prohibitions, with key timelines starting 13 months after enactment for propagation/import and 49 months for sales. Certain exempt cultivars (like specific Japanese barberry varieties) may still be sold but must include educational labels about invasive species. The law aims to protect New Jersey's ecosystems, natural resources, and public health by preventing the spread of harmful non-native plants.

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 requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.