Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3004) restricts how genetic testing can be conducted on DNA samples from newborns and crime victims. It requires informed consent for most genetic testing, but explicitly permits law enforcement to use crime victim/witness DNA *only* to identify the suspect in the specific investigation where the sample was collected - preventing its use to identify family members. For newborns, it limits DNA testing to authorized newborn screening programs for health conditions. The bill also requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant or court order to access DNA information, strengthening privacy protections for individuals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4773) requires the Secretary of State to adjust census data used for redistricting by excluding undocumented immigrants from population counts. It directs the Secretary to develop an accurate legal resident count using datasets like Census citizenship data and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission records. The adjusted data would then determine boundaries for congressional, state legislative, county, municipal, and school districts. This change aims to ensure districts reflect the population of legal residents only, rather than including undocumented immigrants in apportionment calculations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AJR 194) urges the U.S. Senate to pass the federal "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act." The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require states to collect documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity when registering voters for federal elections, including documents like a passport or birth record. It also proposes using federal databases to verify citizenship and remove ineligible voters from rolls. New Jersey's legislature supports this as a measure to address documented errors in voter registration systems that mistakenly enrolled noncitizens, aiming to bolster election security and public confidence. The resolution itself has no legal effect but formally advocates for the federal bill's passage.

Maddy summaryBill A4771 requires individuals and businesses receiving New Jersey state benefits - including contracts, loans, tax breaks, grants, or licenses - to certify that they are authorized to be in the U.S. under federal law. It directly affects anyone seeking state financial assistance or privileges, including employers who must verify employees' work eligibility. The bill mandates the Department of Labor to create a standard certification form requiring this verification, with penalties only for knowingly false statements. State agencies must incorporate this form into existing application processes rather than creating a new system. The policy aims to ensure state benefits are reserved for those legally permitted to reside or work in the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR 142) expresses support for H.R. 7109, the "Equal Representation Act," a federal bill introduced in January 2024. The resolution supports changing how congressional representation is calculated by requiring a citizenship question on the census and basing apportionment on U.S. citizen population instead of total population (which currently includes noncitizens). It does not create new law but urges the U.S. Senate to pass H.R. 7109, which would modify census-based representation rules. The resolution states that current census counts dilute citizen representation due to noncitizen inclusion, though it does not alter any existing policy. This is a procedural statement of support, not a legislative change.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Social Media Fairness and Transparency Act," requires large social media companies operating in New Jersey (with $100M+ revenue or 25M+ U.S. monthly users) to publicly disclose their content moderation standards, apply them consistently, and notify users when content is censored or accounts are suspended. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations for censorship, allowing users to opt out of algorithm-driven content prioritization, and prohibiting censorship of journalistic enterprises based on content. Users can sue companies for specific violations, seeking up to $100,000 per claim, while exempting trade secrets and preserving federal law supremacy. The bill directly affects major platforms, aiming to increase transparency in content moderation practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4735, "Illegal Alien Healthcare Transparency Act") requires New Jersey health care facilities to ask patients about their immigration status and submit monthly aggregate reports to the Department of Health. The reports must include the facility’s total costs for care provided to patients identified as "illegal aliens" (defined as individuals unable to prove lawful presence in New Jersey) and will be made publicly available online. It also makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly provide false information about immigration status when asked by a facility. The law aims to increase transparency around healthcare costs for this group, without changing eligibility for care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to adjust census data used for redistricting by excluding noncitizens. The adjusted population - without noncitizens - would become the basis for drawing state legislative districts, county districts, and municipal wards. The Secretary must make this adjustment using data from the Census Bureau and state law. As a result, voting districts would be created using a population count that excludes noncitizens, affecting how representation is structured in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Jillian's Law" (A4737), requires courts to commit defendants found incompetent to stand trial to a state institution if they pose a danger to themselves or others, eliminating prior options for outpatient treatment or release. It modifies New Jersey law (N.J.S.2C:4-6) by removing the court's ability to choose outpatient or release alternatives in such cases. The law maintains the existing 3-month review period for regaining competency and requires institutional commitment only for those deemed dangerous. This affects defendants in criminal cases who are found incompetent but pose safety risks, directly changing their post-incompetency placement options.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill revises property tax lien foreclosure procedures to align with a recent Supreme Court ruling requiring property owners to retain equity beyond unpaid taxes. It allows property owners to protect remaining property equity by requesting a judicial sale (like mortgage foreclosures) or online auction through the county sheriff within 45 days of receiving foreclosure notice. If owners don't make this request, lien holders (municipalities or private investors) can take full property title without conducting a sale. Lien holders must clearly inform property owners about this option in bold text with foreclosure notices. The bill ensures any surplus funds from a sale would go to the property owner after lien holders are paid.