Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Veterans Assistance Trust, a new state entity within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The trust will accept donations from federal, state, local, or private sources to provide grants or loans directly to veterans, veterans' families, and programs supporting them - without replacing existing government funding. It will operate under a 14-member board including agency commissioners, veterans advocates, business representatives, and legislative appointees. The trust may invest unspent funds in approved securities but must maintain separate accounting and undergo state audits. The bill creates a structured mechanism to pool resources for veteran support, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's four regional child abuse and neglect treatment centers to establish 24/7 mobile teams that respond to hospital requests for forensic examinations of pediatric patients under 13. Hospitals must contact their county's center when a child meets specific criteria: (1) referred by a school nurse, pediatrician, or caregiver for suspected abuse, or (2) presenting injuries inconsistent with their explanation or developmental level. The mobile teams will perform examinations at the hospital, and the state will appropriate funds to support this service. Centers must also develop hospital contact protocols and train staff on abuse identification.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (AR 65) condemns Rutgers University for accepting eight of ten demands made by student protesters who established an encampment on campus in April 2024. The bill claims Rutgers' acceptance of demands - including divesting from companies supporting Israel, ending partnerships with Tel Aviv University, and requiring a "genocide" statement - created a hostile environment for Jewish students through "anti-Semitic rhetoric" and "glorification of violence." The resolution, which has no binding effect, directs the legislature to formally condemn the university and send copies to its leadership. It specifically cites Rutgers' decision to grant "full amnesty" for protesters as evidence of failing to protect Jewish students.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 3228) requires websites, social media platforms, and other online entities to verify the age of users attempting to access content deemed "harmful to minors" before allowing access. It mandates reasonable age verification methods (like digital ID checks) and prohibits minors from accessing such content unless it's determined suitable for them under state standards. The law specifically targets material meeting strict criteria, such as content depicting sexual acts or lacking artistic value for young people. Currently pending in the Assembly Science Committee, it would apply to all online services operating in New Jersey, not just social media.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3022) requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board post a virtual meeting link on its website and allows the public to submit comments remotely during designated comment periods. The law applies directly to the State Board of Education and the public seeking to participate in meetings. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds postpartum depression services to New Jersey's statewide behavioral health crisis system. It requires the Commissioner of Human Services to contract with 24/7 crisis hotline centers that handle 9-8-8 calls, specifically including postpartum depression support, and coordinate mobile crisis teams for in-person help. The centers must meet national standards, provide culturally competent care, and refer callers with children to family services. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents experiencing postpartum depression who previously lacked dedicated crisis pathways within the behavioral health system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 810) requires individuals convicted of sex offenses to report name changes to the state sex offender registry. Specifically, it amends name change procedures so that courts must notify the sex offender registry when someone with a sex offense conviction (as defined in NJ law) applies for a new name. The bill mandates that applicants disclose any sex offense conviction in their affidavit, and courts must forward the name change judgment to both the State Bureau of Identification and the sex offender registry. This affects only people convicted of sex offenses who seek to legally change their names, ensuring registry updates occur automatically.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires municipalities to reserve at least 50% of affordable housing units in new developments for veterans who served in time of war or other emergency, as defined by state law. It mandates that veterans applying within the first 90 days of a project's marketing period receive priority for these units, with remaining units then open to the general public. After the initial 120-day marketing period, veterans are placed on a special waiting list to maintain the 50% reservation as units become available. The bill adds this veterans' preference to existing affordable housing requirements without altering the overall fair share obligations for low and moderate income housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a matching grant program within New Jersey's Department of Education to help school districts implement research-based tutoring programs addressing pandemic-related learning loss. School districts applying for grants must submit detailed plans meeting specific criteria: tutoring in small groups (4 or fewer students), provided by the same trained tutor 3+ times weekly during school hours (supplementing, not replacing core instruction), using aligned curricula and data-driven progress monitoring. Districts receiving grants must contribute 25% of the grant amount in matching funds, with the program potentially using federal ARP Act funds for support. The program requires districts to outline student selection, subject focus, tutor recruitment, and outcome measurement methods in their applications, with the commissioner reporting on effectiveness within three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public utilities from charging customers a fee to opt out of installing smart meters in their homes. It directly affects residential customers who prefer traditional analog meters over smart meter technology. The bill defines "smart meter" broadly to include various types of digital meters but explicitly bans any fee for choosing not to install one. This would eliminate the current practice where customers pay monthly fees to retain older meters, making the opt-out choice fee-free. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.