Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryThis bill (A494) adds a new incentive for municipalities to convert abandoned properties into affordable housing. It allows local governments to earn **two additional credit units** toward their fair share housing obligation for each affordable housing unit created on property that was previously listed as abandoned (under NJ law) and later rehabilitated. The credit applies only to units restricted for low/moderate income households on properties that were formally removed from the municipal abandoned property list after rehabilitation. This policy directly affects municipalities required to meet state-mandated affordable housing targets under the Fair Housing Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands liability for housing, building, and health code violations by holding certain individuals personally responsible when their commercial entity (like a corporation or limited liability company) acts as a residential landlord. Specifically, it allows courts to hold members of member-managed LLCs with at least 10% ownership, managers of manager-managed LLCs, and corporate directors/officers jointly and severally liable for unpaid code charges, provided there are at least three unpaid charges after 13 months, proper notice was given to relevant parties, and the individual doesn't successfully claim they couldn't ensure payment. The bill also updates landlord registration requirements to require commercial landlords to provide detailed information about associated individuals when registering. This affects commercial entities that own residential rental properties and their associated individuals, making those individuals potentially personally responsible for code violations that remain unpaid for over a year.

Maddy summaryACR 58 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. It would raise the annual deduction to $1,000 in 2024, $1,500 in 2025, $2,000 in 2026, and $2,500 starting in 2027, with the amount remaining at $2,500 annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses, who qualify for the deduction on real and personal property taxes. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's driver's manual to include clear information about drivers' rights and responsibilities during police stops. The manual is provided to all new and renewing drivers during license exams, directly affecting every driver in the state. The Motor Vehicle Commission must add this content after consulting with the Attorney General, and the manual is already published in English and three other commonly spoken languages in New Jersey. This update ensures drivers receive standardized guidance on police interactions as part of their licensing process.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) from denying child care subsidies to teachers and school employees based on their weekly work hours during periods when schools are not in session for students. It specifically exempts these workers from the standard requirement of working 30+ hours per week during non-school weeks (like summer or holidays), as long as they meet other eligibility criteria like income limits. Teachers and school employees will no longer need to report changes in their non-school work hours to DHS, though they must still complete standard renewal checks. The policy directly affects school staff who previously faced subsidy loss during school breaks despite otherwise qualifying.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill authorizes pharmacists to dispense HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. Pharmacists must verify patients are HIV-negative through recent testing, provide counseling, complete required training, and document services before dispensing. Health insurance plans must cover these medications without prior authorization or step therapy requirements. Patients can receive up to a 60-day supply of PrEP without a prescription within any two-year period before needing a prescription for continued use. Pharmacists must also notify patients' primary care providers about the dispensing, unless the patient declines.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax deduction for capital gains realized when landowners sell certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations for preservation purposes. The deduction applies to both full market value sales and "bargain sales" (where the sale price is below market value, with the difference treated as a charitable donation). The deduction amount equals the capital gain as determined under federal tax rules, covering transactions with groups participating in programs like Green Acres, Blue Acres, and farmland preservation. This policy aims to encourage land conservation by reducing tax liability on such sales, directly benefiting landowners who sell property for environmental preservation.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1143 establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for mental health, substance use treatment, and developmental disability service programs. The COLA, based on the previous year's Consumer Price Index (CPI) from October 1 to September 30 (as published by the U.S. Department of Labor), must be included in state contracts for these programs starting on the bill's effective date. This applies to all state-funded programs - whether fully or partially Medicaid-funded - that are licensed or approved by New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The Department must announce the annual COLA rate each October 1, ensuring service providers receive regular inflation-based funding increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits organizing, promoting, or participating in competitive events (such as contests with prizes) where participants harass or take specific wildlife - including coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and other listed animals - except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to six months in jail, $1,000 fine) plus a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and possession privileges. Injured wildlife must be transported to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife becomes the property of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The law applies broadly to events not covered by existing field trial permits, targeting commercialized wildlife competitions.