Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2957) upgrades the legal classification of certain assaults against school personnel from "simple assault" to "aggravated assault" when the attack occurs while they are clearly performing their duties (e.g., in uniform or identifiable as staff). It specifically targets incidents involving school board members, administrators, teachers, school bus drivers, or other school employees acting in their official roles. The change increases penalties for these assaults by elevating the charge under New Jersey's assault statute (N.J.S.2C:12-1). This directly affects school staff members who are assaulted during work hours in identifiable professional roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to make intentionally disrupting 9-1-1 call centers a second-degree crime. It specifically targets individuals who deny, disrupt, or impair access to public safety answering points (PSAPs) - the facilities that handle 9-1-1 emergency calls - without authorization. The law clarifies that interfering with these critical emergency systems now carries the same penalty as other computer crimes against public infrastructure. This applies to anyone who intentionally disrupts 9-1-1 services, including hackers or others causing interference.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry, making public online information about individuals convicted of specific violent or serious crimes. It directly affects people convicted of offenses like murder, kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, aggravated arson, and certain drug-related crimes involving serious harm. The registry will display names, sentences, locations (incarceration/parole address), release dates, and criminal history in three categories based on current status (incarcerated, on parole, or in community release). Information is automatically removed from the public registry upon release or parole completion. The registry is funded using a portion of forfeiture proceeds from criminal cases, per the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts public employees in New Jersey from using six or more consecutive days of accumulated sick leave in the twelve months before retirement without documented medical necessity. It applies to state employees, local government workers, and school employees, requiring them to provide written medical verification for such leave use. Employers must establish procedures for verifying medical necessity, including the option of a medical exam by a doctor chosen by the employer. Violations can result in fines (three times the daily pay per day of violation) or, for a second violation, the deduction of improperly used sick leave from retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-700) increases penalties for fentanyl offenses by raising the quantity threshold that triggers the most severe criminal charges. Specifically, it makes possessing or distributing five ounces or more of fentanyl (including adulterants) a first-degree crime, requiring a mandatory minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence with no parole eligibility. This directly affects individuals involved in large-scale fentanyl distribution or possession, as penalties for quantities under five ounces remain less severe. The change applies to fentanyl specifically, while other drugs retain their existing penalty thresholds under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 628) prohibits courts from awarding a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and affordable housing advocates involved in zoning litigation. The bill states that courts must instead impose other remedies if a municipality fails to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing development, banning court orders that require zoning changes to include market-rate housing as a condition for development. The Legislature states this remedy has historically produced excessive market-rate housing with little affordable housing, harming communities and the state. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryBill A 3154 prohibits terminal leave compensation for local government employees in counties, municipalities, fire districts, and similar entities (excluding school districts) who have adopted New Jersey’s Title 11A civil service rules. It bans using accumulated administrative leave, vacation, sick leave, or longevity benefits for full pay during the terminal leave period before retirement. The bill also requires medical verification for employees using six or more consecutive sick days within 12 months of retirement eligibility, with improper use leading to deduction from retirement benefits. Employers may mandate physician examinations to verify medical necessity for sick leave claims.