Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from awarding custody or visitation rights to individuals convicted of specific sex crimes against minors, including criminal sexual contact, luring children, human trafficking involving minors, lewdness, or promoting child prostitution. It expands existing law to cover additional offenses beyond sexual assault, requiring courts to deny such rights unless clear and convincing evidence shows it is in the child’s best interest. The law applies to all minor children, including those who were victims or born from the crime. Courts must delay enforcement for 10 days to allow appeals, but it does not terminate parental rights or affect child support obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires energy companies receiving state subsidies (like renewable energy certificates) to disclose financial and operational details to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Rate Counsel. It mandates the BPU to publish an annual online list of all state energy subsidies, including funding sources, recipients, and allocation methods. The BPU must also submit yearly reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing subsidies provided to each recipient, their power output, and operational data. These requirements apply only to companies that accept subsidies, not to all energy providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's automatic notification system for domestic violence victims. It requires the Attorney General's VINE system to notify victims not only when a defendant charged with domestic violence is released but also when the status changes for victims with restraining orders (e.g., release, transfer, or bail for violations). The notification is automatic, confidential, and ensures victims' locations remain hidden from defendants. It directly affects domestic violence victims who have obtained restraining orders, providing them real-time updates on defendants' custody status. The bill makes these protections mandatory through the existing VINE system, enhancing safety without changing current notification standards for victims of domestic violence crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to add instruction about the dangers of texting while driving to health education for students in grades 9 through 12, starting with the 2012-2013 school year. The curriculum must cover how texting while driving correlates with dangerous driving behaviors (like lane-weaving) and provide statistics on accidents, injuries, and fatalities linked to this behavior. School districts must use this content as part of their existing health education standards, and the Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials and resources to support implementation. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryACR 82 proposes amending New Jersey's constitution to require a four-fifths majority vote (32 Senate votes and 64 Assembly votes) in both legislative chambers to submit a constitutional amendment to voters during a "lame duck" session. This session occurs between the general election for Assembly members and the start of the new Legislature (typically November to January). Currently, amendments need only a three-fifths majority (24/48 votes) or simple majority (21/41 votes) in consecutive years for submission. The bill would specifically raise the vote threshold for amendments proposed during this specific pre-election period, without changing requirements for other sessions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to reimburse residential customers for spoiled food and compromised prescription medicine caused by sustained power outages lasting over 48 hours after major events (like storms). Customers can receive up to $500 for spoiled food (with proof like receipts) or up to $1,000 for compromised medicine (with pharmacy documentation). Utilities must create an online reimbursement system within 90 days, processing claims within 30 days of submission. The bill directly affects residential electricity customers experiencing extended outages and applies to all electric utilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow minors aged 14-15 to work until 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. during summer months, specifically from Memorial Day through October 1 each year, in certain retail or food service jobs (like restaurants or supermarkets) with written parental permission. It directly affects young workers in these seasonal positions who currently have a 9 p.m. curfew during the same period. The change only extends evening hours; it does not alter total weekly work limits, prohibited occupations, or break requirements for minors. Parental permission remains required, and the bill preserves existing restrictions on work for minors under 16 during school sessions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding resolution (AR 17) introduced by the New Jersey Assembly. It urges Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform and the President to enforce existing immigration laws, citing a 2023 record of 3.2 million border encounters with undocumented individuals and an estimated 16.8 million undocumented immigrants nationwide. The resolution specifically notes New Jersey's estimated 755,000 undocumented residents and states that illegal immigration threatens the nation's foundation. As a symbolic request, it has no legal effect and will be sent to federal officials for their consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to offer in-person customer service at all agency locations for at least three full days each week. It mandates that all walk-in customers be served on a first-come, first-served basis for every service type. The law directly affects New Jersey residents who rely on MVC offices for driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and other motor vehicle services. If enacted, it would change current MVC scheduling practices to guarantee regular in-person access, though the bill is currently pending before the Assembly Transportation Committee.