Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 18-member Special Education Transportation Task Force to study and improve transportation for students with special needs. The task force, including education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, will review best practices in other states, current policies, and safety concerns like medical emergencies during transport. It will focus on recommendations for staff training, equipment access, communication with families, and safety protocols. The task force must submit its final report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of forming. This bill directly affects students receiving special education services, their families, school districts, and transportation staff in New Jersey.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3447 establishes a Special Education Transportation Task Force to study and recommend best practices for transporting students receiving special education services in New Jersey. The 18-member task force includes education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, and will examine safety protocols, medical emergency response, equipment access, and staff training for these students. It must issue recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of forming, focusing on reviewing current policies and identifying areas for improvement. The bill does not change existing laws but directs the task force to study transportation challenges without implementing immediate changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, which must be linked to a traumatic event experienced during their duties or vicarious trauma from their job. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior position after leave, and violations allow employees to sue for remedies including $5,000 fines for first violations, reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees. The civil action must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2373 (the "New Jersey First Responders PTSD Protection Act"), protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) who are diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a PTSD diagnosis verified by a licensed medical professional. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior roles after medical clearance and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if they retaliate. The law applies only when PTSD arises from trauma directly tied to job duties, such as witnessing incidents or experiencing vicarious trauma while performing official responsibilities.
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 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to appoint a State Dementia Services Coordinator. The coordinator will develop a master plan for dementia care, coordinate existing state programs, prevent service duplication, identify gaps in care, and improve access to quality treatment for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The position is authorized to request data from state agencies and consult with experts, with all departments required to cooperate. The bill appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services to implement these changes. It directly affects individuals with dementia, their families, and the state agencies providing related services.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5217, the "Ensuring Fairness in Cost-Sharing Amounts Act of 2024," requires health insurance carriers and pharmacy benefits managers to count third-party discounts and payments toward patients' out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. This means discounts from drug manufacturers, patient assistance programs, or other third parties must reduce what patients actually pay for covered health services, rather than being ignored by insurers. The bill prohibits insurers from using "accumulators" that would prevent these discounts from counting toward a patient's deductible. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey and requires annual compliance certification from insurers and pharmacy benefits managers.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes doxxing a crime in New Jersey by criminalizing the intentional disclosure of personal identifying information without consent, with the purpose of causing fear, violence, stalking, or mental anguish. The crime applies when such disclosure creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury, stalking, or inflicts mental anguish that places the person or their "close relation" in reasonable fear of physical harm. The bill broadly defines "close relation" to include family members, household members, and significant personal or professional relationships. Exceptions exist for good-faith disclosures to the public about unlawful conduct or to law enforcement, with penalties ranging from up to 18 months in prison (fourth degree) to 3-5 years (third degree) if serious harm occurs.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.