Rep. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryAJR 119 designates November 7 of each year as "Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution directly affects residents of New Jersey living with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare genetic disorder impacting bone marrow, pancreas, and skeletal development. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with awareness activities. It aims to increase public understanding of SDS, support affected individuals, and promote further research into the condition. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a provisional license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate temporarily while their full license application is processed. It directly affects new dealers who are setting up businesses, enabling them to begin selling vehicles before meeting all permanent licensing requirements. The bill amends state law (R.S.39:10-2 and R.S.39:10-19) to define the provisional license, including standards for dealer facilities and vehicle inventory. This change streamlines the licensing process for new dealers without reducing regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2132) requires operators of New Jersey's Access Link paratransit service to announce every scheduled stop on their route, either verbally or via a recording system. It directly affects Access Link drivers and the New Jersey Transit Corporation, which operates this ADA-compliant paratransit service for riders with disabilities. Currently, only fixed-route transit systems (like buses on set schedules) must announce stops, but Access Link - being a non-fixed-route service - was previously exempt. The bill extends the stop-announcement requirement to all Access Link vehicles to improve accessibility and rider awareness. It takes effect two months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during election cycles from being counted when calculating an individual's unemployment benefits. It directly affects poll workers who may otherwise have their unemployment compensation reduced due to income earned from temporary election work. The key provision amends New Jersey's unemployment law to exclude poll workers' wages from the "annual payroll" calculation used to determine benefit eligibility. This change ensures poll workers can receive full unemployment benefits without their election-season earnings affecting their claim. The bill focuses solely on adjusting the calculation method for this specific group of workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to issue special license plates for veterans certified by the VA as having service-connected disabilities. The plates, displaying "Disabled Veteran" and a wheelchair symbol, allow these veterans to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing additional permits or placards. The plates are free, non-transferable, and must be displayed on the vehicle while parked. Misuse of the plates can result in revocation and forfeiture of the plate. The bill directly affects disabled veterans who meet federal VA certification criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program allowing New Jersey legislators to hire students as interns. It requires the program to be open to undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and PhD candidates) from accredited colleges, with priority for New Jersey residents or students attending New Jersey institutions. Interns must complete a work period at a legislator's district office, set by the legislator, and may extend their internship with mutual agreement. The program will seek federal grants (such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's "On-the-Job Training" program) and state funding to support these internships.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides educational support professionals (non-teaching school staff) with up to four years of seniority credit for active military service they completed, including service before starting their school job. To qualify, a professional must be declared eligible for federal veterans' benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The credit counts as if the professional were employed full-time during their military service, directly affecting their seniority calculations for school district benefits and job protections. The bill aligns seniority treatment for these staff with existing provisions for teaching staff.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.