Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes municipalities and school districts to install school bus monitoring systems with cameras to capture vehicles illegally passing school buses. If a violation is recorded by such a system, the violator would face a $250 civil penalty instead of criminal penalties, with collected funds going to the municipality or school district for safety programs. The monitoring systems must capture specific evidence including the bus's flashing lights, the violating vehicle's license plate, and the date/time/location of the violation. Recorded images are not public records and must be purged within 95 days of recording. The registered owner of the vehicle would be liable for the penalty unless they can prove the vehicle was used without consent or was stolen.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." It establishes a $500 fine for violations and allows pet shops to sell other animals or pet supplies, while enabling collaboration with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" for animals and specifies that an animal's death within 14 days of sale (except by accident) would be considered evidence of being unfit. It also prohibits animal rescue organizations, shelters, and pounds from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for compensation. The law does not affect pet dealers (not pet shops) or consumer rights for animals purchased from them.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes doxxing a crime in New Jersey by criminalizing the intentional disclosure of personal identifying information without consent, with the purpose of causing fear, violence, stalking, or mental anguish. The crime applies when such disclosure creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury, stalking, or inflicts mental anguish that places the person or their "close relation" in reasonable fear of physical harm. The bill broadly defines "close relation" to include family members, household members, and significant personal or professional relationships. Exceptions exist for good-faith disclosures to the public about unlawful conduct or to law enforcement, with penalties ranging from up to 18 months in prison (fourth degree) to 3-5 years (third degree) if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $52,798,268 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and existing farmland preservation funds to New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee. It funds the protection of farmland through purchase or easements, providing grants to counties (up to 80% of acquisition costs) and nonprofits (up to 50% of costs), plus $3.45 million for stewardship activities like soil conservation and deer fencing. The funds also cover administrative costs ($28.3 million) for program management and enforcement. This directly supports landowners selling easements, local governments acquiring farmland, and farm operators maintaining preserved land.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners would pay a $50 one-time application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with all additional fees deposited into a dedicated fund to support preservation of Revolutionary War sites across the state. The program requires 500 initial applications and $25,000 in private funding before implementation, and expires if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of State Highway Route 35 in Laurence Harbor (from milepost 45.37 to 47.26) as the "James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway" to honor two New Jersey soldiers who died in the Vietnam War. It requires the Commissioner of Transportation to erect signs bearing this designation but prohibits the use of public funds for the signs, instead allowing private funding through gifts, grants, or agreements with nonprofit organizations. The memorial roadway name and signage will only be implemented once a private funding agreement is secured. This is a commemorative designation with no new policy or regulatory impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates salt water taffy as New Jersey's official state candy. It does not create new regulations, allocate funding, or affect any individuals or businesses. The legislation simply establishes a symbolic recognition of salt water taffy's historical connection to New Jersey, referencing its origins in Atlantic City and association with shore communities. The designation takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A6230) authorizes special "25th Anniversary of 9/11" license plates for motor vehicle owners in the state. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 initial fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund, managed by the Motor Vehicle Commission, supports organizations aiding 9/11 victims and families, after covering administrative costs. The plates must display a tribute to 9/11 victims and heroes, with design selected in consultation with a designated 9/11 support organization. The program is administrative and commemorative, with no policy changes beyond plate issuance and fee collection.