Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 38) condemns Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and reaffirms New Jersey's support for Israel and Jewish people. It directs that copies be transmitted to Israel's U.S. ambassador and New Jersey's congressional delegation. The resolution is symbolic, with no new laws or funding changes, and focuses solely on expressing legislative stance. It references the attacks' casualties and Hamas' designation as a terrorist group but does not alter policy or affect specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with sexual assault (N.J.S. 2C:14-2) or criminal sexual contact (N.J.S. 2C:14-3) involving minor victims must be detained before trial, unless they provide evidence to the contrary. It directly affects defendants facing these specific child sexual abuse charges in New Jersey courts. The key mechanism requires defendants to prove, by a preponderance of evidence, that conditions (like bail or supervision) would reasonably assure their court appearance and community safety - otherwise, detention is automatic. The presumption applies only to these minor-victim cases, adding them to existing offenses (like murder or life-imprisonment crimes) where pretrial detention is presumed. This change modifies pretrial release procedures under New Jersey's Bail Reform Law (P.L.2014, c.31).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers of new planned real estate developments in New Jersey to install emergency power systems in common areas like clubhouses and community rooms. These systems must provide backup power during extended outages, meeting NFPA-110 standards, to allow these facilities to serve as shelters for residents. Developers can deduct up to $10,000 of the equipment cost as an expense (not capital cost) for tax purposes and receive a sales tax exemption on the equipment purchases. The requirement applies only to new developments, not existing ones, and aims to improve emergency preparedness following events like Hurricane Sandy.

Maddy summaryAJR 34 designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day" to celebrate the state's cultural and historical connection to diners. The resolution recognizes New Jersey as the "Diner Capital of the World" with approximately 525 diners - the most in any state - and requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A812) prohibits New Jersey public utilities regulated by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from filing requests for rate increases during specific investigations. It blocks such filings when the BPU has ordered a base rate case to review whether a utility exceeded its authorized profit margin, or when the BPU has notified a utility it is investigating such an overage. The prohibition remains in effect until the BPU concludes the related case or investigation. This directly affects utilities subject to BPU oversight, preventing them from seeking new rates while profit-related matters are under review.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits initial prescriptions for opioid medications for acute pain to a seven-day supply, up from the previous five-day limit. Health care practitioners must discuss risks with patients, document medical history including non-opioid alternatives, and develop treatment plans before prescribing. Exceptions allow longer prescriptions for cancer treatment, hospice care, or when a practitioner determines more than seven days is medically necessary. For chronic pain treatment, practitioners must establish a pain management agreement with patients and review treatment every three months. The bill also requires practitioners to discuss overdose risks and may require prescribing opioid antidotes in certain cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public online database called the New Jersey Internet Criminal Information Registry. It requires the Attorney General to list information about individuals convicted of specific serious violent crimes - including murder, robbery, carjacking, terrorism, and crimes involving serious bodily injury - while they are incarcerated, on parole, or in residential community release programs. The registry includes each person’s name, sentence, location, release date, and criminal history, but automatically removes all information once they are released from parole or supervision. Real estate professionals cannot be held liable for not checking the registry, and the registry will be funded using forfeiture proceeds from criminal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create a public information campaign about low-speed electric bicycles, scooters, motorized bicycles, and scooters. The campaign will educate operators on safe operation, hazards to pedestrians, and their responsibility for others' safety. It also establishes a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit for these vehicles on all public roads, streets, and highways. The law directly affects anyone operating these motorized vehicles in New Jersey, applying to both existing and new low-speed electric models.

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.