Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5419) prohibits licensed health care professionals in New Jersey from providing medical, surgical, or therapeutic gender-affirming care to individuals under 21 years old. It specifically defines "gender-affirming health care services" to include medications and treatments for gender dysphoria but explicitly excludes behavioral, mental, or psychiatric care. Violating this prohibition subjects professionals to disciplinary action for professional misconduct under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs and Health Department to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, established by the 1950 Dingell-Johnson Act. The program funds conservation and habitat restoration for sportfish populations using excise taxes paid by fishing and boating equipment users. New Jersey benefits from this program through restored fish populations (like striped bass and brook trout), improved habitats, and support for recreational fishing jobs. The resolution directs copies to New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5287) reverses New Jersey's current law by allowing state agencies, local governments (like counties and municipalities), and private detention facilities to enter into agreements to detain noncitizens for immigration purposes. It amends existing law to remove the prohibition that currently prevents these entities from entering, renewing, or extending such immigration detention agreements. The key change is replacing "shall not" with "may" regarding these agreements, effective immediately. This directly affects New Jersey's state/local governments, sheriffs' departments, and private facilities that previously could not participate in immigration detention under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities to notify federal immigration authorities within 24 hours when arresting or convicting non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. for specific offenses, including violent crimes (1st-4th degree), drug offenses, theft, or robbery. It mandates that sentencing courts and probation officers also immediately contact federal immigration authorities to initiate deportation proceedings upon such convictions. The bill defines "federal immigration authority" to include ICE, CBP, and DHS personnel involved in immigration enforcement. This directly affects non-citizens facing these charges and the state's law enforcement and judicial systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey 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 specifically targets wastewater and drinking water projects in regions defined as "coastal areas" under existing law. The legislation amends current law to ensure coastal municipalities receive preferential treatment for loan forgiveness when accessing financing through the state's Water Bank program. This change would make it easier for coastal communities to secure funding for critical infrastructure improvements without full repayment of the loan principal.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from raising rates specifically to cover smart meter installation costs. It requires utilities to publicly disclose rate increase details - including amount, reasons, and expected bill impact - 30 days before and after any increase, with fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. For rate hikes causing a 5% or greater average bill increase, utilities must report to the federal Department of Energy 60 days in advance and cannot disconnect service or charge late fees for six months afterward. The bill directly affects electric utilities and ratepayers (homeowners and businesses paying electricity bills) by restricting certain rate increases and enhancing transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to offer walk-in services at all agency locations for at least three full days each week. It mandates that the MVC serve walk-in customers on a first-come, first-served basis for all services, regardless of appointment availability. The law directly affects MVC customers seeking in-person assistance with driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, or other motor vehicle services. The requirement takes effect three months after enactment, with the MVC allowed to prepare in advance. This is a procedural change to improve accessibility for the public at MVC locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Immigration Enforcement Support Act" (A5232), authorizes New Jersey state and local law enforcement agencies to detain noncitizens they believe are in the U.S. illegally and transfer them to federal immigration authorities, regardless of any other charges against the person. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and noncitizens in New Jersey. Key provisions include requiring the state to pay participating law enforcement agencies $7,000 for each successfully deported person, with payments split proportionally if multiple agencies were involved in the detention. The Attorney General must establish rules for determining eligibility and distributing the compensation.