Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 678) modifies rules for civil lawsuits involving real estate, specifically addressing "lis pendens" notices that temporarily block property sales. It allows defendants to seek a permanent dismissal (with prejudice) of such lawsuits if the plaintiff fails to actively pursue the case after two separate periods of inaction: first, when the lis pendens notice is discharged due to the plaintiff's lack of prosecution, and second, after an additional six months of continued inaction. The key mechanism requires the defendant to file a motion with the court after the six-month waiting period, which the court may grant for "good cause." This change aims to streamline resolution for property owners facing prolonged, inactive lawsuits, applying to all pending cases not yet decided.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require doctors to prescribe no more than a seven-day supply of opioid pain medications for new patients with acute pain (short-term pain like injuries or surgery), except in specific cases. Doctors must also discuss addiction risks with patients, document medical history and pain management plans, and obtain patient agreements for long-term opioid use. It applies to initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain but excludes chronic pain, cancer care, hospice, or end-of-life treatment. The law aims to reduce opioid overuse by limiting initial doses and improving patient education, with additional review requirements for prescriptions lasting three months or longer.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1189) requires New Jersey to provide additional state school funding to reduce property tax burdens for residents. It directly affects school districts that experienced state aid reductions between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, directing the state to pay them retroactive aid equal to their past funding losses. Key mechanisms include calculating base aid amounts based on historical funding formulas, mandating districts receiving increased state aid to lower property tax levies by the same amount, and requiring annual property tax reductions if state aid rises. The bill appropriates $2.9 billion to implement these changes, aiming to ensure school funding aligns with residents' ability to pay property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all New Jersey public and private schools, as well as state, county, and local government entities, from requiring influenza vaccinations or any other flu immunity procedure for individuals under 18 years old. It explicitly bans both direct and indirect requirements for flu shots or related medications for this age group. The law takes immediate effect upon passage and applies to all government employees, officials, and school settings. This policy change directly affects minors enrolled in schools or interacting with government services by removing mandatory flu vaccination requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 280) raises minimum insurance coverage requirements for New Jersey auto policies. It increases the required liability limits for bodily injury/death from $15,000/$30,000 to $50,000/$100,000 per accident, and raises property damage coverage from $5,000 to $25,000 per accident. The bill also increases the minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits to $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident for property damage. These changes apply to standard auto insurance policies for all vehicle owners registered or garaged in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey municipalities from passing ordinances that require local officials to refuse cooperation with federal immigration enforcement requests. It directly affects municipal and county governing bodies, making such policies void and imposing penalties (including fines or loss of office) on officials who vote to adopt them. The bill also requires local employees to comply with federal immigration requests and provides state defense for employees acting in good faith during such cooperation. Key provisions include banning "sanctuary city" policies and establishing legal protections for local officials who follow federal immigration enforcement requests.

Maddy summaryACR 96 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring any state tax law or law delaying tax repeal to automatically expire five years after enactment. The Legislature could extend such laws for an additional five years, but only after four years have passed (meaning at least one year before expiration). This would apply to all current and future tax laws, mandating periodic legislative review. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's survivor pension program to cover the families of volunteer emergency service workers (firefighters, EMTs, first aid/rescue volunteers) who died from COVID-19 during the 2020 public health emergency. It deems such deaths as occurring "in the course of duty" if the volunteer: (1) contracted COVID-19 during the declared emergency, (2) died from it, and (3) performed duties requiring public interaction during that period. Survivors (widow/widower, children, or dependent parents) become eligible for the existing $15,000 annual pension, with retroactive payments starting the year after the volunteer's death. The bill applies only to deaths occurring during the Governor's 2020 emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of residential properties with fewer than three dwelling units (like single-family homes or duplexes) to install carbon monoxide and explosive gas detectors before selling, leasing, or changing occupancy. It applies during certificate of occupancy issuance or when new tenants move in, with exemptions if no gas or carbon monoxide hazards exist. Detectors must meet specific safety standards (UL 2034 for carbon monoxide, ANSI for gas detection), and owners who fail to comply face fines up to $100. The law also extends similar requirements to hotels, multiple dwellings, and rooming houses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1469) allows state, county, and local governments to create "special event zones" around large gatherings (25+ attendees or approved events) to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, authorities can temporarily lower speed limits and ban "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like tire screeching or driving on vehicle roofs). Drivers violating speed limits or exhibition driving rules in these zones face higher fines - up to $1,000 - and additional penalties for certain offenses. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable time before/after, with clear signage indicating restrictions.