Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey shore municipalities to adopt local ordinances providing free or reduced-cost beach access for the spouse and dependent children (over age 12) of qualifying veterans. It expands current law - which already offers similar access to active military personnel and National Guard members - to include veterans who served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged due to a service-connected injury or disability. Municipalities would track usage of this benefit but are not required to implement it. The policy change directly affects veterans' families and applies only to beaches managed by shore municipalities under existing beach access regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Assembly Select Committee on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Data Privacy to examine how New Jersey collects and uses contact tracing data during the pandemic. The committee will study specific issues including data types collected, privacy protections, storage protocols, usage restrictions, data retention periods, and destruction methods. It must produce a report with recommendations to the legislature within 60 days of organizing, focusing on balancing public health needs with individual privacy rights. The committee will dissolve after submitting its report, and the resolution expires 30 days later. This procedural resolution does not enact new laws but creates a temporary body to review existing data practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member "COVID-19 Learning Loss Study Commission" to study how pandemic school closures affected student learning in New Jersey. The commission, appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor to include education stakeholders and public members, will analyze academic data from March 2020 (when schools closed) through the bill’s effective date. It must examine impacts on overall student outcomes, disaggregated by school size, grade, and subject, and analyze pre-existing achievement gaps. The commission must submit a final report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within six months, and dissolve 30 days after submission.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A1528 requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a permit program for sonar testing in state waters. It mandates that any entity conducting sonar testing must submit a study assessing impacts on marine life and mitigation plans before receiving a permit. Permits are only issued if the DEP determines the testing poses minimal risk to marine life, and permits must be suspended immediately if marine mammals are harmed due to the testing. The military and emergency situations are exempt from the permit requirement. This bill directly affects organizations using sonar equipment for mapping or exploration in New Jersey's coastal waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund construction, contracts with private marinas (via public bidding), or other solutions for public boat launches. The policy directly affects residents seeking recreational access to state lakes, such as Greenwood Lake, where public access has been limited as private marinas now restrict or charge for day-use access. Key provisions mandate DEP action if access cannot be provided due to funding constraints, requiring a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the issue and needed resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires community-based residential programs (like group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities) and long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living) to provide parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives with real-time online access to residents' medical and personal records. The online portal must include all medications, treatments, procedures, and important incidents like falls or injuries during the resident's stay. Facilities must maintain these records as updated, accessible information rather than relying on paper copies or phone requests. The bill applies to facilities licensed under New Jersey law and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 17-member commission to study how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of K-12 students in New Jersey and assess available school mental health resources. The commission, including state agency heads, education and mental health experts, and school representatives, will identify which students and schools faced disproportionate mental health challenges, analyze impacted resources, and recommend staffing, funding, and program improvements. It must consult parents and teachers, then submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year, with copies sent to all school districts. The commission will expire 30 days after the report is issued. This directly affects New Jersey's public school students, districts, and state agencies managing mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1505) amends computer crime laws to specifically address disrupting online meetings or teleconferences ("bombing"). Currently, unauthorized disruption is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill increases penalties to a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine) if the disruption involves posting obscene material (violating N.J.S.2C:34-3) viewed by minors under 18, or if the damage exceeds $5,000. For disruptions causing major public service interruptions (affecting 10+ structures for 2+ hours, or creating risk of death/injury) or damage over $250,000, it becomes a first-degree crime with mandatory minimum parole terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to increase penalties for repeat offenders who commit thefts of property valued under $200. If someone is convicted of a theft under $200 and then commits another theft under $200 within two years, the second offense will be classified as a fourth-degree crime instead of a disorderly persons offense. A fourth-degree crime carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine, compared to the six-month maximum and $1,000 fine for a disorderly persons offense. The bill does not apply to thefts of $200 or more, which remain classified under higher penalty tiers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "gang shoplifting" as a new third-degree crime in New Jersey. It applies when two or more people enter a store together and openly take items without paying (intending to deprive the store of them) or tamper with property to endanger people or damage the store. Convicted individuals face a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence without parole eligibility, plus potential fines up to $15,000. The bill directly targets coordinated retail thefts, specifically addressing incidents described as "flash mobs" looting stores in public view.