Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill (A780) requires businesses, schools, and other entities that demand vaccination proof for access to services, employment, or venues to accept voluntary confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response instead. It directly affects individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and developed natural immunity, allowing them to use this confirmation in place of vaccination records. Entities must treat these individuals equally, offering the same access and terms as those providing vaccination proof, and may accept confirmation verbally. The law applies to schools, colleges, workplaces, and public accommodations but explicitly states it won’t override federal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain and display a public list of all registered ticket brokers on its official website. It directly affects ticket brokers who must register with the division and consumers seeking transparency in ticket purchasing. The key provision mandates that the division update and post this list online within 120 days of processing registration applications, making it easily accessible to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A676) designates a specific 0.45-mile segment of State Highway Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights (from milepost 3.25 to 3.70) as the "John Tarantino Highway" to honor Angelo John Tarantino, a WWII veteran who served in the European Theater and participated in key battles including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. The bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to erect signs bearing this designation but explicitly prohibits using state or public funds for the signs. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept private funding - such as gifts, grants, or donations - from non-governmental organizations to cover the costs of producing, installing, and maintaining the signs. The designation takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers to be assigned to polling places located in public schools during elections. Specifically, it amends election law to permit district boards, election superintendents, or county clerks to request police presence at these school-based polling locations for maintaining order and providing security. The request must be made explicitly for school polling places, and any assigned officer must focus solely on election security during voting hours. The bill also requires documentation of such assignments, including the reason, duration, and outcome, to be recorded and made publicly available.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual income limit for New Jersey residents to qualify for homestead property tax reimbursement. Currently, applicants must have an income of $80,000 or less (for both single and married filers) to receive this tax relief. The bill raises this limit to $100,000 or less for all tax years starting in 2017 and beyond. This change directly affects senior citizens (65+) and disabled persons who own or rent a primary residence, allowing more households to qualify for property tax reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's state education commissioner to encourage school districts to adopt the Natural High Drug Prevention Program. The program provides school-based resources including videos, research-backed curricula, educator training, and support for student clubs focused on positive activities. It requires curriculum covering seven key topics: identifying natural highs (positive activities), drug consequences, goal-setting, peer pressure strategies, role models, value-based choices, and media literacy about drug use. The policy applies to all public school districts starting in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to allow 14- and 15-year-old minors to work until 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. between Memorial Day and October 1 each year, with written parental permission. It specifically affects young workers in retail, restaurants, or similar settings during this summer period. The bill does not alter other restrictions, such as minimum age requirements, maximum weekly hours, or the need for parental consent. Current law already permits this age group to work until 9 p.m. during a similar timeframe (Memorial Day to Labor Day), so this extends the evening curfew by two hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a state education funding program providing $500 per student to school districts in New Jersey municipalities where over 51% of residents are 65 or older (based on the 2000 census). It directly affects districts in communities like Manchester Township and Berkeley Township, which meet this threshold. The aid is calculated using projected student enrollment, not actual enrollment, and reduces the tax burden on qualifying municipalities by lowering their share of regional school district costs. This revives a program originally established in 1996 but repealed in 2008.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a supplemental fee charged on real estate transactions in New Jersey. The fee, established in 2003, was a graduated charge based on property sale price (e.g., $0.25 per $500 for the first $150,000). It directly affects home buyers and sellers by removing this cost from the total real estate transfer fee, which previously split proceeds between counties and the state. The bill repeals the specific fee provision (P.L.2003, c.113) while leaving the base realty transfer fee unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member study commission to examine two key areas: (1) how New Jersey's long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) prepare for infectious disease outbreaks, and (2) ways to encourage home health care services. The commission, composed of state agency representatives and industry experts, will analyze facility outbreak response plans, staffing adequacy during outbreaks, and methods to retain home health aides. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months, detailing findings and recommendations. The commission will expire 3 months after submitting its final report. (Note: This is a procedural study commission, not a policy change.)