Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates a $500 minimum fine for underage possession or consumption of alcohol or cannabis in locations like schools, public places, or vehicles. It removes prior provisions that allowed written warnings for first and second offenses and community referrals for third offenses, replacing them with a direct disorderly person offense penalty. Now, any violation by an individual under the legal age for purchasing alcohol or cannabis will result in a minimum $500 fine. The bill directly affects underage individuals found in possession or consumption in the specified locations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 298) expands definitions of riot and disorderly conduct, increasing penalties for related offenses. It makes it a third-degree crime to participate in riots involving weapons or causing property damage/injury (previously fourth-degree), and creates a new fourth-degree crime for desecrating public monuments during riots. The bill also enhances penalties for assaulting specific protected groups, including police, firefighters, school staff, and emergency medical personnel, during riot-related incidents. It directly affects individuals engaging in violent assemblies, damaging public monuments, or attacking designated personnel during such events.

Maddy summaryACR 64 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend New Jersey's existing $250 annual property tax deduction for veterans to Gold Star families. This would allow parents, siblings, children, legal guardians, or legal custodians of service members who died while on active duty or from duty-related injuries to receive the same deduction. The deduction would be limited to one per family, with priority among eligible relatives determined by law. Unmarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans are already covered under current law and would not be affected by this change. The amendment requires voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Commission on Human Trafficking's duties to specifically promote coordinated responses among state and local law enforcement agencies - including the Attorney General's office, county prosecutors, and local police - to improve human trafficking investigations and prosecutions. It directly affects law enforcement agencies by requiring the Commission to develop mechanisms for better collaboration between these entities. The key provision adds a new requirement under Section f(3)(b) of the Commission's mandate, directing it to facilitate coordination "to facilitate human trafficking investigations and prosecutions." The bill does not create new penalties or funding but focuses on improving existing interagency communication and resource-sharing for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryBill A 2338 required public transportation employees, motorbus operators, hotel/motel staff, healthcare facility workers, and judicial personnel to complete one-time training on recognizing human trafficking signs and responding appropriately. The training, mandated as a condition for license renewals or employment, must include specific content about victim signals observed in public spaces and be reviewed biennially. It applied directly to licensed entities like hotels, healthcare facilities, and transit operators, with enforcement handled by the Department of Community Affairs and Department of Health. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.343.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes basic pay received by New Jersey residents serving in active duty or active duty for training with the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard from the state's gross income tax. It directly affects military members who receive this pay, expanding an existing exclusion that already covers military allowances like food/housing and combat zone pay. The key change removes basic pay - the primary component of military compensation - from taxable income calculations, aligning New Jersey's treatment with federal exclusions for such pay. The bill applies to taxable income years beginning January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccine or show proof of vaccination to enroll, attend classes, or join institution-sponsored programs. It directly affects all students at higher education institutions within the state. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment. The key provision bans vaccine requirements as a condition for enrollment, course attendance, or program participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill enters New Jersey into a compact with Delaware to adjust their shared territorial boundary. It specifically transfers ownership of two land parcels - Artificial Island (connected to Salem County, NJ) and Finns Point (connected to Pennsville Township, NJ) - from Delaware to New Jersey. The adjustment addresses a 1682 boundary established before these landforms emerged from the Delaware River, resolving practical challenges Delaware faces managing these areas. A joint commission of surveyors from both states will define the new boundary line, with the compact requiring Delaware’s similar legislation and Congressional approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate Bill A 882 expands oversight of long-term care facilities by requiring the Commissioner of Health to establish "Mission Critical Long-Term Care Teams" to identify facilities needing intervention for health/safety issues. It mandates all facilities to create detailed outbreak response plans within 180 days, including isolation protocols, staff training, resident notification procedures, and staffing strategies during health crises. Facilities must also form infection prevention committees with specific staffing requirements, including a physician with infectious disease training and a certified infection preventionist. These changes directly affect nursing homes and long-term care facilities statewide, aiming to improve safety and response readiness through new regulations and increased inspections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to appoint a mental health specialist for student-athletes. The specialist must conduct three mental health screenings per season using approved tools (with parental consent), provide ongoing support for injured athletes, and develop a school mental health policy for coaches and staff. It also mandates the creation of a state registry for aggregated, non-identifiable data collected from screenings. The bill directly affects all public schools with athletic programs and aims to integrate mental health support into student-athlete participation.