Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2519) would add a new aggravating factor for judges to consider when sentencing individuals convicted of domestic violence against certain minors. Specifically, it would require courts to consider as an aggravating factor if the domestic violence was committed against a minor who is already defined as a domestic violence victim under state law - including minors in dating relationships or emancipated minors (those under 18 who are married, have children, are pregnant, or have been declared emancipated by a court). The addition would make sentencing more severe for domestic violence against these vulnerable minors. The bill directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants in domestic violence cases involving these specific minor victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to report student-on-student assaults to law enforcement. School employees must immediately notify a principal or their designee when a student allegedly assaults another student on school property, a school bus, or at a school event. The principal or designee then must promptly report the incident to a law enforcement agency. The bill defines "assault" as attempting to cause bodily injury and specifies "law enforcement agency" to include all state and local police departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates immediate driver's license suspension for New Jersey drivers who commit specific traffic violations resulting in death or serious bodily injury, changing current law from discretionary to mandatory suspension. The law requires immediate suspension for violations including speeding over 20 mph above the limit, drunk driving, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving while violating conditions of a provisional or learner's permit. Affected drivers receive notice of proposed suspension with a right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days and a final hearing within 45 days. The suspension remains in effect until a final agency decision is made, though a hearing can be requested to challenge it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover annual mental health screenings under the same terms as other medical services. It applies to individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and state health benefit programs. Insurers must provide this coverage without applying more restrictive limitations than those for other medical services. The law mandates coverage for mental health conditions as defined by current medical standards. The bill will take effect 90 days after enactment for all plans issued or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts alarm installers and locksmiths from needing to participate in a registered apprenticeship program when registering as public works contractors under New Jersey's Public Works Contractor Registration Act. Currently, all contractors must join such programs to qualify for public works contracts, but these specific professionals lack approved apprenticeship programs through the U.S. Department of Labor and already have separate licensing requirements under other state laws. The exemption applies only to services directly related to their specialties - fire/burglary alarm installation, locksmithing, or related electronic security services - and does not affect their requirement to maintain other necessary licenses. This change streamlines registration for these contractors without altering their existing licensing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to a maximum of 14 days. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension beyond this 14-day period through a concurrent resolution. The Governor cannot issue identical or substantially similar orders for the same emergency after one expires under this rule. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency measures, federal compliance requirements, internal state government operations, military orders, or orders issued under other laws with longer terms.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3204) requires public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online at least 30 days before each school year begins. It mandates that districts include all units of study, learning objectives, and information about textbooks/materials used for each grade level on their website, with updates whenever plans change. School districts must also specify when and where parents/legal guardians can review these materials before they are used in classrooms. The law directly affects school districts (requiring website updates) and parents/guardians (granting review access), taking effect for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Barnegat Bay Protection Act establishes a dedicated fund to preserve and remediate New Jersey's Barnegat Bay estuary watershed, directly affecting residents in Ocean and Monmouth counties (over 500,000 people) and users of bay-related activities. It creates funding through three mechanisms: dedicating 1% of sales tax from lawn fertilizer purchases, authorizing special "Protect Barnegat Bay" license plates ($50 initial fee + $10 annual renewal), and enabling voluntary donations at boat registration, vessel licensing, and beach tag purchases. Monies collected will be used exclusively by the state for bay protection efforts, including public education campaigns, with annual reports to the Legislature. The bill ensures donations cannot be required for licenses or permits, keeping participation voluntary.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses against minors (under age 18) from working as employees or volunteers at amusement parks or selling frozen desserts from street-based ice cream trucks. It directly affects registered sex offenders under New Jersey’s sex offender registration law who committed crimes against children. The law defines "amusement parks" as facilities with public rides and "frozen dessert trucks" as vehicles selling desserts on public streets. Violating this prohibition is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits schools and school buses in New Jersey from requiring students to wear face masks. It directly affects all students attending public or nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, covering both indoor and outdoor areas of school buildings and school buses. The law explicitly bans mandatory mask-wearing but allows students to choose to wear masks voluntarily. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.