Asm. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires healthcare facilities to provide safeguards for nursing home residents and those with health conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, guarantee adequate care and therapy, allow family visitation, and protect legal directives like "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers with open offices and ensures access to legal services during emergencies. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online and require all healthcare facilities to display them prominently.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2405) prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from requiring "student growth objectives" as part of teacher evaluations. Currently, these objectives - which measure student progress against state standards - account for 15-50% of a teacher's evaluation score. The bill explicitly bans the State Board from mandating these objectives or any similar assessment method. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, directly affecting how teachers are evaluated statewide.

Maddy summaryACR 95 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Jersey municipalities to tax property improvements (like buildings) at a lower rate than land, currently subject to a single tax rate. If approved, the Legislature would create general laws enabling municipalities - potentially limited to those needing infrastructure investment - to adopt ordinances with dual tax rates. These laws would permit local flexibility in setting the rate difference, phased implementation of changes, and the option to revert to a single tax rate. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election following constitutional passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $100,000 cap on sales and use tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It removes the limit on tax exemptions for materials, supplies, and services used for major renovations, new construction, or substantial improvements to business properties. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2022, meaning businesses participating in the UEZ program can now claim full tax exemptions for eligible capital improvements without the previous dollar cap.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinary technicians in New Jersey to obtain a state license before practicing. To qualify, applicants must pass a national exam, be at least 18 years old, and graduate from an AVMA-accredited program. Licensed technicians must work under the responsible supervision of a licensed veterinarian and can only perform tasks they've been trained for, as defined by the American Veterinary Medical Association's essential task list. The law applies directly to individuals seeking to work as veterinary technicians and veterinary facilities employing them.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2399 creates a 15-member "Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities" to study how assistive technology can improve daily life for this population. The task force will examine policy opportunities, identify barriers to technology use, and assess needs in employment, education, and daily living - focusing on expanding access and integration into existing programs. It must submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its first meeting. The bill directly affects individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers by directing state resources to explore practical solutions, though it does not enact new funding or mandates itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Murphy's Law," creates a specific rule for New Jersey's emergency powers. It states that if the Governor violates their own emergency order, rule, or regulation (adopted under the state's Emergency Management Act), that specific order, rule, or regulation becomes void and unenforceable. It also establishes an affirmative defense for people prosecuted for violating such an emergency order: if the Governor committed the same violation, the defendant cannot be convicted for that specific breach. The law applies to violations classified as disorderly persons offenses (punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine) and takes effect immediately for all pending and future prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to implement new training for judges and court staff on child abuse and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which include trauma from abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. It mandates that training cover all abuse types (physical, sexual, emotional), trauma impacts, bias, and ACEs research, to help courts make trauma-informed custody decisions. The bill also adds specific factors for courts to consider in custody cases, such as whether a parent tried to turn a child against the other parent, past caregiving duties, and the safety of the child during prolonged proceedings. When custody and child abuse cases overlap, courts must expedite decisions to protect the child’s best interests. The training materials, developed with the Department of Children and Families, must be reviewed biennially by judges.

Maddy summaryAJR 29 designates neon yellow (Pantone 395) as New Jersey's official color to raise awareness of veteran suicide, referencing the statistic that 22 veterans die by suicide each day. The resolution takes immediate effect and aims to draw attention to existing mental health support programs for veterans, aligning with similar efforts in other states like Pennsylvania's "Vet 22" initiative. It does not create new programs or funding but serves as a symbolic state-level acknowledgment of veteran mental health challenges.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill) from the New Jersey Assembly, memorializing the U.S. President and Congress to take action on immigration reform. It requests Congress to pass legislation securing borders, expediting removal of undocumented people, increasing penalties for smuggling and crimes by undocumented individuals, and permitting military support for border security. The resolution also urges the President to enforce existing immigration laws and warns Mexico about policies encouraging migration. It will be sent to federal officials and Mexico's ambassador, but does not create new laws or alter existing policies.