Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AR 42) is a non-binding request from New Jersey's legislature urging the U.S. President and Congress to pass two specific bills addressing drone misuse. It specifically calls for enacting "The Drone Act of 2023" (S157), which would create federal criminal penalties for dangerous drone activities, and "The SHIELD U Act" (S896), which would expand law enforcement's authority to counter drone threats. The resolution cites recent drone sightings over sensitive locations in New Jersey (including military sites and a presidential residence) and similar incidents at U.S. military bases in England as justification. It does not create new law but formally requests federal action on these proposed measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location and speed, and two-way communication equipment. It specifies that video footage and GPS data collected under this law are not considered government records, and the State Board of Education must create rules for equipment installation, data use, and video retention periods. The law directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs, aiming to enhance safety and communication during transportation. It also mandates that drivers follow existing laws prohibiting phone use while driving. The bill takes effect six months after enactment, with administrative actions allowed in advance for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies, corporations, or testing facilities in New Jersey that use cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing or research to assess these animals for adoption after testing ends and offer them to animal rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. It mandates reporting details like animal numbers, assessment results, and adoption outcomes to the Department of Health, and establishes a database for rescue organizations. Facilities failing to comply face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $50,000 for a second, with potential testing bans for repeated violations. The law directly affects testing facilities and research institutions using these animals, aiming to increase adoption opportunities while creating clear reporting and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A-1847 prohibits licensed health care professionals (including doctors, nurses, and therapists) from providing gender-affirming medical care - such as hormone therapy or surgery - to individuals under 21 years old. The bill defines these services as medical, surgical, or therapeutic care related to gender identity, excluding mental health or psychiatric services. Violations would result in professional disciplinary action under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and applies to all covered health care providers statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for filing construction lien claims on commercial projects from 90 days to 240 days after the last work or materials were provided. It directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who work on non-residential construction projects in New Jersey. The key change modifies Section 6(2) of the Construction Lien Law, updating the filing timeframe while keeping residential project deadlines (120 days plus 10 days after arbitration) unchanged. The amendment ensures lien claims for commercial work must now be filed within 240 days of completion, rather than the previous 90-day window. This provides more time for contractors to secure payment for commercial construction services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school boards to give hiring preference to veterans for teaching positions when veterans are equally qualified as non-veteran candidates in all measurable criteria (such as experience, certifications, and qualifications). It directly affects veterans applying for teaching jobs in most school districts, ensuring they receive preference only if their qualifications match other candidates exactly. The law does not apply to approximately nine school districts that follow the Civil Service system (Title 11A), as those districts' existing rules supersede this bill for classified employees. The preference applies immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5% cap on annual reductions to state school aid for New Jersey public school districts. It limits how much a district's state funding can decrease compared to the previous year's budget, ensuring no district loses more than 5% of its net budget in aid. For districts with positive aid differentials (those receiving more aid than the previous year), the bill gradually increases the required aid reduction over time (from 13% to 100% by 2024-2025). Exceptions protect certain districts, including those in high-tax municipalities with spending below adequacy or regional districts formed under specific grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-532) would require public school districts to provide vouchers covering 75% of tuition at nonpublic schools for students whose parents withdraw them due to objections about curriculum content. It specifically protects objections related to material conflicting with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or morality. The voucher amount is calculated based on the district's per-pupil spending, prorated for remaining school days. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Education Committee (introduced January 13, 2026) and would directly affect parents who withdraw children over curriculum disputes and the school districts funding those vouchers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Children within New Jersey's government (operating under the Attorney General's office but without departmental control). The ombudsman will investigate child welfare cases, monitor facilities like foster homes and group homes, and identify systemic issues in how the state cares for children at risk of abuse or neglect. Key mechanisms include a 24-hour hotline for public concerns, authority to access child welfare records, and reporting findings to the Governor and Legislature. The office directly affects children in state care, child welfare agencies, and service providers, aiming to ensure they receive appropriate protections and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry, requiring the Attorney General to create an online database with details about individuals convicted of specific human trafficking offenses (including trafficking, aiding trafficking, or advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors). The registry categorizes people by status (incarcerated, on parole, in community release programs, or out-of-state parolees) and includes names, sentences, addresses, and criminal history. It also mandates one-time training for police on trafficking identification and for hotel/motel staff and healthcare workers on recognizing and responding to suspected trafficking cases. These training requirements must be completed within specific timeframes by affected employees and are tied to license maintenance.