Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill restores state school aid reductions for certain New Jersey school districts by appropriating $210,135,047. It shifts $64,920,000 from existing FY2024 appropriations and adds $145,215,047 from the General Fund. The funding ensures districts that received Supplemental Stabilization Aid under prior law (P.L.2023, c.32) get their full 2023-2024 aid amount, and districts facing proposed aid cuts in 2024-2025 receive the difference between their 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 aid amounts. The bill directly affects school districts subject to state aid reductions under P.L.2018, c.67.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4200 bill would prohibit ratepayers from being required to pay or prepay costs associated with subsidies for qualified offshore wind projects. Currently, electric utilities collect an OREC surcharge from ratepayers upfront to cover these costs, with later refunds based on revenue from selling ORECs. The bill specifically prohibits the Board of Public Utilities from requiring ratepayers to make any payments or prepayments for these subsidies, including OREC surcharges. This change would prevent ratepayers from having to pay for these subsidies before they are actually incurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in New Jersey to create and maintain cybersecurity plans. These plans must address monitoring systems for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must consult with the state's Cybersecurity Center for best practices, update their plans regularly to match new technology, and report any cyberattacks to the state Office of Homeland Security within 24 hours. The law directly affects New Jersey's public higher education institutions and aims to strengthen their protection against digital threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one percent annual cap on reductions to state school aid for all New Jersey public school districts. It ensures no district receives state aid in any school year that is reduced by more than one percent compared to the prior year's disbursement. The cap applies universally, overriding previous reduction schedules that allowed larger cuts for districts with negative aid differentials. School districts affected include all public school districts receiving state aid under current funding formulas, regardless of their financial status or location. This policy change directly limits annual funding cuts rather than increasing overall funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4138) requires courts to award pet owners at least $5,000 in damages for pain and suffering when a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or facility is found liable for the death of a cat or dog due to malpractice or negligence. It supplements existing reimbursement for the pet’s monetary value and veterinary costs. The award applies only to cats and dogs, not other pets, and is determined by the court after liability is established. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Megan's Law registration requirements to include individuals convicted of sex offenses in foreign countries or fleeing charges there. It requires these individuals to register with local law enforcement, similar to those convicted within New Jersey. Additionally, the bill mandates that law enforcement officers inquire about the immigration status of all registered sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. These provisions directly affect foreign nationals convicted of sex offenses who reside in New Jersey and law enforcement agencies responsible for registration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to create a policy for using video and audio recordings in certain postseason athletic games. The policy must mandate that all tournament and postseason contests have official recordings, and require video/audio reviews when a referee's call changes the final score or game outcome. It also permits reviews to check for sportsmanship violations and confirm correct disqualifications. The policy takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in New Jersey by allowing them to prescribe more pharmaceutical agents (including some controlled substances), administer certain immunizations (for coronaviruses, influenza, and varicella-zoster virus), and perform simple ophthalmologic procedures like non-invasive laser treatments. It clarifies that optometrists must complete specific training and credentialing to provide these expanded services, including evidence of competence through accredited education programs. The bill directly affects licensed optometrists in New Jersey and their patients, who will have access to a broader range of eye care services from optometrists. The legislation updates the legal definition of optometry practice to better align with optometrists' doctoral education and clinical training.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to volunteering at their local fire department for two years. It directly affects students in participating school districts who complete the fire academy program under these conditions. The policy changes graduation requirements by recognizing fire academy training as meeting specific health/safety/PE credit standards, effective for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the non-consensual creation and distribution of deepfake pornography (realistic fake videos or images that appear to show someone engaging in sexual activity they didn't actually participate in). It makes it a crime to create or share such content without consent, with penalties ranging from 3-5 years in prison and $15,000 fines for general deepfakes to 10-20 years in prison and $200,000 fines for deepfakes involving children. Victims can pursue civil claims for $1,000 per violation plus additional damages. The law updates existing privacy and child pornography statutes to address technology that wasn't covered when those laws were written, applying to anyone who creates, shares, or distributes deepfake content without consent.