Asm. Margie Donlon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that the president and vice president of New Jersey's State Board of Medical Examiners must hold a medical degree (M.D., D.O., or D.P.M.). Currently, the board elects these officers from its membership without specific medical qualifications. The bill amends state law to mandate this education requirement for the top two leadership positions. It directly affects the State Board of Medical Examiners by setting new eligibility standards for its president and vice president. The change takes effect four months after enactment to allow the board time to implement the new rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Veteran's Service Organization License" allowing groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to serve alcoholic beverages on their premises. It permits service only to verified members, their invited guests (up to nine per occasion), and affiliated members of other veteran organizations, but prohibits serving auxiliary members or selling alcohol off-premises. The license exempts these organizations from municipal limits on retail alcohol licenses and requires that private events (e.g., weddings) use alcohol purchased off-site, while allowing food and non-alcoholic sales on-premises. The license fee would range from $63 to $188, set by local municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an internet-based tracking system for rape kits (also called sexual assault forensic evidence kits). The system will allow victims, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and labs to monitor a kit's journey from collection at a medical facility through testing and final disposal. It mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for this tracking system, ensuring transparency in the chain of custody. The law, which became effective in January 2025, directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, and forensic labs handling these kits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4475) establishes mandatory standards for court-ordered domestic violence counseling programs in New Jersey. It directly affects domestic violence offenders required by courts to participate in counseling and the counseling programs themselves. The bill requires all such programs to include four key components: risk assessments identifying escalation factors, education on power/control tactics, clear attendance tracking protocols, and regular reviews by the Department of Children and Families for funded programs. These standards ensure consistent accountability and program effectiveness for offenders mandated to attend counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts community gardens from needing certain environmental permits when they manage organic waste through on-site composting systems. It applies to gardens using food waste collected separately from other trash, limiting weekly processing to 200 gallons (or scaled for properties over 5,000 sq ft). Gardens must use all compost on-site or distribute/sell it per New Jersey DEP rules for Class C recyclables. The exemption removes regulatory barriers under the state's Solid Waste Management and Recycling Acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to prioritize projects that include or allow for flood mitigation when funding land acquisition for recreation and conservation (known as "Blue Acres" projects) and certain environmental infrastructure projects. It mandates that these projects receive additional priority points in the ranking system used to determine which projects get funded through the Green Acres Program and environmental infrastructure programs. The change affects local governments, nonprofit organizations, and others applying for DEP funding for projects that protect against flooding while serving recreation, conservation, or infrastructure needs. The bill implements this by amending existing laws to require the DEP to factor flood mitigation into its evaluation criteria for funding applications.

Maddy summaryACR 138 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of New Jersey's Jersey Fresh program, a state-sponsored initiative established in 1984 to promote locally grown produce. The resolution recognizes the program's role in supporting New Jersey farms, increasing consumer awareness of seasonal produce, and serving as a national model for agricultural branding. It does not create new laws or policies but formally commends the program's success in connecting consumers with locally harvested fruits and vegetables across all 21 counties. The resolution directs copies to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Agriculture for their records.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding to protect the safety of cooperating witnesses - individuals who testify for the government to help prosecute crimes, including confidential informants. It expands New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to guarantee these witnesses assistance with psychological and practical challenges of testifying, protective measures before, during, and after trials, and court procedures ensuring their safety. The bill amends existing laws to allow the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to cover relocation and safety expenses, and authorizes the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to provide grants to organizations offering services like emergency shelter, medical advocacy, and safety planning for these witnesses and their families. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with law enforcement in criminal cases, ensuring they receive concrete support and protection while navigating the justice system.

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic joint resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature that unconditionally condemns all forms of hate, hate-based violence, and bias crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts like supporting victims, improving hate crime reporting, enhancing security at vulnerable sites, and researching solutions. The resolution emphasizes New Jersey’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and promoting an inclusive community, reflecting the state’s ongoing stance against bias-motivated incidents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryACR 148 is a concurrent resolution urging federal agencies to create clear guidelines for state and local law enforcement to address drone threats. It specifically requests the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation develop protocols allowing police to independently investigate and respond to unidentified drones near sensitive locations like military bases and water reservoirs. The resolution responds to recent drone sightings over sites including New Jersey's Picatinny Arsenal and Trump National Golf Club, which current federal law prevents local authorities from addressing directly. It does not create new state authority but asks the federal government to expand existing frameworks. This resolution has no legal effect but formally requests federal action to enhance public safety coordination.