Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2051 requires law enforcement officers to conduct a risk assessment for domestic violence victims who agree to participate. Officers must use the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) tool, gathering details on recent incidents, injuries, and weapon use. If the assessment indicates elevated risk of serious harm, officers must inform the victim and, with consent, connect them to crisis services or charge the suspect. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims (through consent-based assessments) and law enforcement officers (through mandated training and procedures).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to create special pricing rules (tariffs) for data centers within 180 days of the law taking effect. The tariffs must protect regular electricity customers (non-data center ratepayers) from cost increases caused by data centers' high energy use. Utilities must also design tariffs to encourage data centers to improve energy efficiency, including using technologies that capture and reuse waste heat. The Board of Public Utilities will review and approve these tariffs, and utilities must implement them for all data centers in their service area one year after the law passes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5195) requires manufacturers to provide written notice to purchasers when selling firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, or gloves) containing chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's used, and list the specific chemicals. Beginning six months after the bill takes effect, manufacturers must provide this notice at sale, and both parties must keep copies for three years. Two years later, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing firefighting gear that intentionally contains PFAS. It directly affects manufacturers of firefighting PPE and fire departments purchasing this equipment.

Maddy summaryS 3800 amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect current military service members and veterans from discrimination. The bill broadens existing protections by adding "service in the Armed Forces of the United States" as a protected class, covering both active duty personnel and those who have been discharged. It makes it unlawful for employers to deny reemployment to employees who take leave for military service, aligning with federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The bill also updates gendered language in the law to be more inclusive and clarifies that only unlawful discrimination is prohibited under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the minimum percentage of funds that municipal tourist development commissions must spend on advertising outside their municipality from 50% to 20%. It directly affects these commissions in New Jersey municipalities, which use local tourism revenue to promote visitor attraction. The bill also clarifies that "advertising outside the municipality" includes any ads targeting people who work or live outside the area, even if the same ad reaches local residents. This change simplifies compliance while maintaining the core goal of attracting tourists from outside the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General guidelines for investigating bias incidents into law. It requires all county and municipal law enforcement agencies to report suspected or confirmed bias incidents through the Electronic Uniform Crime Reporting system within 24 hours of initial response. The bill also mandates immediate notification to the Bias Crime Unit and county prosecutor in cases involving homicide, aggravated assault, hate group perpetrators, or potential large-scale public unrest. Additionally, it establishes specific criteria for confirming bias incidents and requires law enforcement agencies to develop written policies, provide officer training, and update investigation protocols for bias-related incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey food service businesses from automatically providing single-use plastic utensils and condiments to customers. Instead, businesses must only provide these items upon explicit customer request. Restaurants and similar establishments with 50 or more on-site seats must offer reusable, washable utensils for dine-in customers, who must return them after use. Businesses that exclusively use eco-friendly alternatives are exempt, and violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per offense, with penalty funds going to litter prevention programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in New Jersey public schools to refer students to private licensed mental health providers (such as psychologists or social workers) for assessments and services. It prohibits referrals to a provider if the school staff or their immediate family has a significant financial interest in that provider. Parents or guardians must consent for students who cannot legally consent themselves, and neither the school district nor the referring staff bears the cost of these private services. The bill does not restrict schools from providing mental health services directly to students. It aims to expand access to mental health care through school-based referrals while maintaining safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies and local governments (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities) to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA). The CNA distributes products made at rehabilitation facilities that employ people with disabilities. Key provisions include mandating training for purchasing agents on the CNA program, requiring quarterly reporting on compliance, and granting the CNA a "right of first refusal" for goods/services if priced within 15% of fair market value. The law aims to support employment for people with disabilities by ensuring a steady market for goods produced at rehabilitation facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to create "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt "homeless housing plans" to address local homelessness. Municipalities can collect up to $3 in additional fees from building permits, business licenses, fines, or other fees to fund these trusts. Funds must be used exclusively for permanent affordable housing, rental vouchers, supportive services, and prevention programs for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with projects required to reduce homelessness measurably and include outcome tracking. Municipalities must consult a community task force including people with lived homelessness experience and report annual fund usage to the state Department of Community Affairs.