Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's wiretap authorization law to allow law enforcement to seek court orders for wiretaps when investigating four specific crimes: luring or enticing a child, identity theft, stalking, and cyber-harassment (specifically the third/fourth degree offenses under N.J.S.2C:33-4.1). It directly affects law enforcement agencies (like the Attorney General's office and county prosecutors) who can now request these wiretap orders for these offenses, as they were previously excluded from the list of authorized crimes. The key mechanism is amending existing wiretap statute language to add these four offenses to the list of crimes where wiretap evidence may be sought. This change would not alter current wiretap procedures but broadens the scope of crimes eligible for such surveillance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1035) creates a temporary exemption from New Jersey's indoor smoking ban for racetracks and off-track wagering facilities. It allows these venues to host "cigar nights" in designated areas, limited to no more than five times per year per facility. The exemption specifically applies to controlled areas within these locations during such events, without altering the broader smoking ban elsewhere. The amendment to P.L.2005, c.383 (C.26:3D-59) adds this provision as a new subsection (e) under existing smoking ban exemptions.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Go Build" program within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect residents with construction careers. It requires the program to provide training for construction trades, recruit workers for jobs and training, and promote opportunities through public education, marketing, and partnerships with construction companies and schools. The program must also consult with similar initiatives in Alabama and Georgia, and the department must submit a five-year evaluation report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents seeking construction jobs, training providers, and the state's construction industry. It is a proposed program (not yet enacted) focused on expanding access to construction careers through structured recruitment and training.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Division of Private Employment Dispute Settlement to handle labor issues for cannabis employers in New Jersey, specifically addressing union representation and unfair practices. It requires cannabis employers to recognize employee representatives through card checks (with language accessibility) or NLRB-compliant elections, and prohibits retaliation against workers for union activities. Employers who fail to provide required employee contact information face daily fines up to $5,000. The bill applies exclusively to cannabis businesses and excludes religious schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits from its provisions. (Note: This bill was withdrawn as it was superseded by prior legislation, P.L.2025, c.244.)
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1887 proposes to remove specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for state benefits. Currently, eligibility depends on service during defined conflict periods (e.g., WWII service between September 1940-December 1946), but this bill would amend the definition of "veteran" to eliminate those time-bound criteria. It directly affects veterans who served in conflicts like World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or later missions but may not meet the current narrow date windows. The change would broaden eligibility by focusing on service-connected status rather than exact historical dates. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance from $35 to $50 for New Jersey Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who are veterans or spouses of veterans. It also requires annual cost-of-living adjustments to this $50 amount, tied to the same percentage as Social Security’s annual adjustment. The allowance is intended to cover personal items like clothing, grooming supplies, and newspapers that facilities do not provide. This directly affects veterans and their spouses receiving these benefits, particularly those living in nursing homes, developmental centers, or psychiatric hospitals. The change will take effect after federal approval of related Medicaid plan amendments.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's four-year public colleges from charging tuition or fees to the spouse or dependent child of a disabled veteran who meets specific criteria. To qualify, the student must be accepted for undergraduate study, have applied for all available state/federal grants and scholarships, and applied for VA tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs. It directly affects disabled veterans' families seeking undergraduate education at public universities.
Maddy summaryThis bill reaffirms the continuation of the Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 77th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. It requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (free for New Jersey residents when possible) on labor-management relations, including classes, webinars, and forums, while conducting applied research on workplace issues. The bill mandates an advisory council with six members - representing labor, management, and the public - to guide program development and budgeting. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for the Institute.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1041) requires employers with 50+ full-time or equivalent employees in New Jersey to display a government-created poster in the workplace. The poster must provide clear information about veterans' benefits and services, including contact details for state veterans' programs, mental health resources, educational training, tax benefits, veteran ID options, unemployment insurance eligibility, legal services, and the VA Crisis Line. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development must collaborate with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop the poster. The requirement would take effect 90 days after the bill is enacted.
Maddy summaryAJR 16 designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs' role in assisting veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote public awareness, highlighting that service dog training costs $3,000-$5,000 (not covered by veterans' benefits) and relies on nonprofit organizations like Paws Healing Heroes. This ceremonial resolution does not create new funding or legal requirements but aims to honor the support service dogs provide to veterans.