Today the General Assembly passed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Cody Miller that would establish clear standards for using artificial intelligence (AI) in school surveillance systems. The legislation comes as school districts in New Jersey and across the country increasingly turn to AI-enhanced security tools, raising important questions about privacy, transparency, and oversight. “New Jersey should be setting the standard for how emerging technologies are used in our schools,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “By requiring clear policies and communication with families, this bill would ensure that schools are transparent about how artificial intelligence is being used and that parents understand what information is being collected and how it is safeguarded.” Bill A1323 would require boards of education of school districts, as well as boards of trustees for charter schools and renaissance school projects, to adopt policies governing the use of surveillance systems with AI capabilities—if such systems are used—including video cameras, x-ray machines, or body scanners. The policies would outline what systems are in place, what information is collected, how the information is used and shared in compliance with State and federal law, and how families can access the information. Schools would also be required to post signage in prominent, public places in buildings and on school grounds notifying the public when AI surveillance is in use, and to distribute the policy to parents and guardians.
WASHINGTON DC (Cleary’s Notebook News)(February 27, 2026)–Last month, Cabinet members of the Trump Administration posted an inspirational tribute to their friend on YouTube. Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025. According to a Wikipedia article, Kirk was an American right-wing political activist. He was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was scheduled to speak at an outdoor campus debate organized by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization he co-founded and led. Kirk, age 31, was a close supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and a highly influential figure in the MAGA movement.
Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to work directly with local leaders to ensure the needs of our congressional district are being met. This year, I was honored to secure nearly $12M in Community Project Funding for South Jersey, including $850,000 for Camden County College.
There’s been a lot of tough news lately, but this funding is a reminder of what can happen when government listens and delivers. From improving flood prevention infrastructure and expanding access to clean water, to supporting new education programs at Rowan University and Camden County College, these investments will make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Learn more about the projects being funded here.
I came to Congress to uplift America’s workers and make our South Jersey neighborhoods safer, healthier, and stronger. That means fighting back against the harmful actions of Trump’s ICE, delivering federal investments back home, and supporting those who serve our communities and country.
We all have a role to play in strengthening South Jersey. Some march with our immigrant communities. Some answer our emergency calls. Others step up to serve in uniform. In every case, it is about commitment, responsibility, and putting others first.
It has been a busy few weeks in Washington, and I want to share an update on the work we are all doing to make South Jersey stronger.
Last week, an ICE raid in Lindenwold caused chaos in our community, resulting in dozens of children running away in fear from ICE agents. I joined community members who came together for an ICE Out protest in response to this horrific raid.
In Congress, I’m fighting back by calling for ICE to be abolished, signing onto a resolution to impeach Kristi Noem, hosting a Legal Observer Information Session with my congressional colleagues, and introducing legislation that would require all ICE agents to wear body cameras.
In South Jersey and across the country a few things are true: we stand with our neighbors against bullies and no one is above the law.
President Donald J. Trump welcomed Angel Families to the White House for an emotional ceremony honoring American lives tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens who never should have been in our country. Paying solemn tribute to the second anniversary of Laken Riley’s murder, President Trump signed a Proclamation designating February 22 as National Angel Family Day — a day of remembrance for victims and their grieving loved ones devastated by the consequences of open border policies.
With America’s border now the most secure in history, the Trump Administration remains unwavering in its commitment to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities, ensure accountability, and make sure not one more American family has to endure this pain.
Congressman Van Drew called for immediate action to pass legislation ensuring federal workers and service members are paid during any government shutdown, while calling for members of Congress to forgo their own pay.
“Using members of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May, TSA agents, FEMA personnel, and law enforcement officers as leverage in funding disputes is completely unacceptable,” said Congressman Van Drew. “These are the people who keep our country safe every day. They should not lose a paycheck because of disagreements over spending. Members of Congress should be the ones who are not receiving pay during a shutdown. We need to pass legislation now so federal workers are never again caught in the middle of funding fights.”
Please note that City offices will be closed today, Monday February 23rd due to the weather. Police, Fire and Public Works will be working and our Water Department will be on call for emergencies.
Council meeting will be on Zoom at 7pm, please check our website for updated information.
On National Angel Family Day, we remember and honor the thousands of American lives stolen from us by criminal illegal aliens and the deadly drugs they bring across our borders. We stand with the Angel Families, many of whom continue to be left without justice. And we recommit to carrying out the largest mass-deportation effort in our Nation’s history, getting the worst of the worst out of our country, and putting a stop to the violence targeting the brave men and women of law enforcement.
Every year, thousands of American citizens are victimized by dangerous and criminal illegal aliens, often sent here by their home countries to get them out of their prisons or off their own streets. After returning to office, I received a letter from a New York City police officer that filled the First Lady and me with tremendous sadness and anger. He wrote to the White House about one of the most unconscionable of these derelictions in recent memory — the murder of Laken Riley.
In 2022, a Venezuelan man named Jose Ibarra was caught crossing the Southern Border illegally and released into our country by the Biden Administration. A year later, this NYPD officer personally witnessed Ibarra endanger a child on the streets of New York and arrested him. The officer was shocked to learn that, shortly thereafter, New York City — a so-called “sanctuary” jurisdiction — released Ibarra back into the community before Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could issue a detainer for his removal. Ibarra then fled to Georgia and, just a few months later, brutally murdered a beautiful young American named Laken Riley.
Advocates came out in force in Trenton today, testifying on a package of bills sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz that would strengthen protections for children online and increase accountability for social media platforms. Together, the bills would strengthen default privacy protections for minors, require clear warnings about potential mental health risks associated with prolonged social media use, and support research to guide future policy decisions.
Following the testimony, the Assembly Science, Technology and Innovation Committee advanced the New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy. The committee also advanced legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013), and a measure that would establish a Social Media Research Center (A4014).
Prior to the committee hearing, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin joined Assemblywoman Katz and other lawmakers at a press conference to explain the need to take proactive steps to ensure that as technology continues to evolve, the safety and well-being of children remain a top priority.
“While these social media apps can offer meaningful opportunities to connect and learn, we know they can expose young people to the kinds of pressures that affect their well-being,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “New Jersey has always stepped forward when new challenges demand thoughtful leadership, and our being here today reflects a commitment to creating a healthier and safer environment for the next generation.”
“Social media can be a powerful way for young people to connect, but we cannot ignore the growing evidence that it can also expose children to serious risks,” said Assemblywoman Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “As a mom, I believe we have a responsibility to put commonsense safeguards in place that protect kids’ mental health, give families better information, and ensure platforms are doing their part to create safer online spaces.”
“Technology is evolving quickly, and our policies need to keep pace to ensure innovation happens responsibly,” said Assemblyman Chris Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (D-Bergen). “This legislation takes thoughtful steps to protect young people online while promoting transparency and accountability from the platforms they use every day.”
Advocates applauded the legislation during the press conference.
“By passing critical social media protections including the New Jersey Kids Code, New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the way, hold Big Tech companies accountable, and stand up for our kids,” said parent advocate Erin Popolo, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.
“Parents across New Jersey are fed up with social media companies knowingly exploiting our children’s attention and mental health for profit and are demanding that state lawmakers take action,” said Julie Scelfo, Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). “This package of legislation would take critical steps to shield minors from addictive design features, protect our children’s privacy and safety, warn families about social media’s mental health risks, and force Big Tech to make their products safe by design. MAMA is grateful to Assemblywoman Katz, her fellow lawmakers, and our partners across the state for championing these essential policies to keep our kids safe online, and we urge the Legislature to quickly pass them into law.”
“The landmark federal social media trial is making it crystal clear: Big Tech companies have known for years about the harms their platforms inflict on our kids but have chosen profit over safety at every turn. Today, New Jersey has the opportunity to act on that evidence. Governor Sherrill has shown real leadership by making kids’ online safety a priority from day one, and this legislative package delivers on that commitment with exactly the kind of bold, design-centered approach that holds companies accountable and puts kids’ safety first. We applaud Assemblywoman Katz and Governor Sherrill for championing these bills, and we urge the Legislature to move swiftly to pass them,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, The Tech Oversight Project.
“I have seen classmates develop eating disorders due to the content they’ve seen on social media, and I’ve seen friends become obsessed with their follower counts and how they look on their profiles to the point where they were missing out on schoolwork and events,” saidHanzla Ahmad, 18, from West Windsor with Design It For Us. “New Jersey has stayed at the forefront of innovation and progress. I ask you today to continue this legacy and pass the New Jersey Kids Code.”
“I have an immense sense of pride being from New Jersey. The state embodies being at the forefront of responsible technology policy, as we’ve seen with the strong package of bills the Committee is considering here, and now New Jersey has the opportunity to continue this legacy as it assists in leading the country into a future where kids and teens are receiving much-needed protection by immediately enacting the New Jersey Kids Code Act,” saidSaahir Vazirani, 17, from South Amboy with Design It For Us.
“We are thrilled to see lawmakers stepping up again in New Jersey and around the country to introduce and push age-appropriate design legislation that holds Big Tech accountable for its design features and business model. We’ve backed this approach in states like California, Maryland, and Vermont, and are proud to do so here in New Jersey as well,” saidSebastian Mahal, Co-Chair of Design It For Us.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) would have to maintain a waiting list for people applying to the State’s child care assistance program (CCAP) under legislation advanced in committee today. The Assembly Aging and Human Services approved Bill A2247, sponsored by Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.
CCAP helps income eligible families afford care. When assistance is unavailable, parents – particularly single parents and those working hourly or nontraditional schedules – are often forced to reduce work hours, leave the workforce altogether, or rely on unstable informal care arrangements. Last summer, DHS announced that the program would stop accepting new applications due to funding shortfalls. The agency resumed accepting applications on a limited basis in December.
“Child care is a critical part of New Jersey’s infrastructure. It allows parents to work, supports healthy child development, and strengthens our economy,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson), Chair of the Aging and Human Services Committee. “Last year’s freezing of new CCAP applications underscored the fragility of New Jersey’s child care system. Establishing a waitlist is a critical step toward understanding the scope of need and providing data necessary to make informed decisions about the program at the state level.”
Currently, families whose applications for CCAP are not processed due to funding limitations may receive little clarity regarding their status, future eligibility, or when they might reasonably expect assistance to become available. This lack of transparency increases uncertainty for families and can discourage reapplication.
Under the bill, the Division of Family Development (the Division) within DHS would be required to maintain a list of presumptively eligible applicants who apply for assistance through the CCAP but are notified that their applications cannot be processed due to limited funding.
The legislation would also require the Division to designate contracted child care resource and referral agencies as access points to assist applicants in completing and submitting applications, as well as standardized self-attestation forms used to establish program eligibility. The Division would also be required to publish, at least semi-annually, a report containing aggregate data on eligible applicants who qualify for and apply to receive assistance through the State’s child care assistance program.
Assemblywoman Shama Haider also sponsored the legislation.
