Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5500) requires all New Jersey nursing homes to provide annual training to staff who provide direct care to residents - such as certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses - on behavioral health issues. The training must cover sensitivity to residents' behavioral health needs, information about depression and psychiatric disorders, and appropriate medication use. The New Jersey Commissioner of Health, working with the Commissioner of Human Services, must develop this training program. It directly affects nursing home staff and residents with behavioral health conditions across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum age from 15 to 14 at which New Jersey family courts may waive jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency cases to adult courts. It applies specifically to juveniles aged 14 or older accused of serious offenses like violent crimes (e.g., aggravated assault, kidnapping), certain drug-related crimes, or firearm offenses. Prosecutors must file a motion with written justification, and courts must review factors including the juvenile's age, maturity, prior offenses, and the nature of the crime before waiving jurisdiction. The change directly affects 14-year-olds charged with qualifying serious offenses, shifting their cases to adult court without their consent if the court approves the waiver.

Maddy summaryACR 158 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require all money collected from phone bills (90 cents per wireless/wireline call) to be dedicated exclusively to maintaining New Jersey's 9-1-1 system and emergency response services. It would legally prohibit the state from using these funds for any other purpose, such as balancing the general budget, which has occurred in the past. The amendment specifies that funds must cover costs like emergency response equipment, training, communications operations, and federal 9-1-1 service requirements. This change would apply to all future appropriations from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" established under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryAJR 219 designates September of each year as "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging state agencies, organizations, and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. It directly affects New Jersey residents and those impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a fatal genetic disease affecting approximately 1 in 3,500 male infants, with symptoms typically appearing between ages 2-3 and leading to progressive muscle loss. The resolution aims to support existing advocacy efforts by organizations like JAR of Hope and Ryan’s Quest, which focus on raising awareness, improving care access, and funding research for DMD.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5419) prohibits licensed health care professionals in New Jersey from providing medical, surgical, or therapeutic gender-affirming care to individuals under 21 years old. It specifically defines "gender-affirming health care services" to include medications and treatments for gender dysphoria but explicitly excludes behavioral, mental, or psychiatric care. Violating this prohibition subjects professionals to disciplinary action for professional misconduct under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs and Health Department to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows commercial farms on preserved farmland (that produce at least $10,000 annually in agricultural products) to host special occasion events like weddings and parties on their land. It specifically permits the use of permanent structures built within the last five years for these events, provided the total revenue from such events doesn't exceed 10% of the farm's annual revenue. Farms must obtain approval from the entity holding the farmland preservation deed, and events are limited to 26 per year with restrictions on size (max 10 acres or 10% of land) and guest numbers (max 250 for six events). Temporary structures like tents are allowed year-round with certain restrictions, while permanent structures built more than five years ago can always be used.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities to notify federal immigration authorities within 24 hours when arresting or convicting non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. for specific offenses, including violent crimes (1st-4th degree), drug offenses, theft, or robbery. It mandates that sentencing courts and probation officers also immediately contact federal immigration authorities to initiate deportation proceedings upon such convictions. The bill defines "federal immigration authority" to include ICE, CBP, and DHS personnel involved in immigration enforcement. This directly affects non-citizens facing these charges and the state's law enforcement and judicial systems.