Asm. Wayne DeAngelo

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill strengthens child pornography laws by creating two categories: "real" pornography (involving actual children) and "virtual" pornography (images appearing to depict children). It upgrades crimes like causing a child to engage in prohibited acts with knowledge of photography to a first-degree offense, and upgrades possession of child pornography to a third-degree crime. For virtual child pornography, it makes producing, distributing, or possessing obscene images that appear to depict children a crime with strict liability, defining "obscene" as patently offensive sexual acts lacking serious value. The bill also prohibits expungement of related criminal records and requires minimum prison sentences for repeat offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching certifications (endorsements) for educators. It allows teachers to teach students with disabilities across all grade levels (excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing students), combine elementary and middle school teaching under one K-8 endorsement, and teach bilingual education with new language proficiency requirements. Currently, teachers must hold separate certifications for different grade levels or subject areas. The changes aim to simplify certification for special education, K-8 instruction, and bilingual programs while requiring language skills for bilingual educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey Cold War medal to honor veterans who served honorably during the Cold War period (September 2, 1945-December 26, 1991). It directly affects New Jersey residents or former residents who completed at least 180 days of service in the military or organized militia during that time and were honorably discharged. The medal will be awarded by the Governor upon application to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which requires proof of service (like a DD-214 form) and verifies eligibility. A special fund will cover the medal’s design, manufacturing, and distribution.

Maddy summaryACR 58 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. It would raise the annual deduction to $1,000 in 2024, $1,500 in 2025, $2,000 in 2026, and $2,500 starting in 2027, with the amount remaining at $2,500 annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses, who qualify for the deduction on real and personal property taxes. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits for businesses that purchase and install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for use in their operations. Businesses can claim credits equal to 25% of costs (up to $500) for 2014 installations, 15% (up to $300) for 2015, and 8% (up to $150) for 2016. To qualify, businesses must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner confirming the charger meets technical standards for Level 2 or Level 3 EV charging. The credits apply to both corporation business tax and gross income tax filings, with separate limits for married taxpayers filing separately.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether microgrids and small-scale power sources (like solar or battery systems) can reduce the duration of prolonged power outages. The BPU must compare New Jersey’s grid performance to other states, assess real-world microgrid impacts, consult with utilities and communities that have used such systems, and evaluate costs for ratepayers and the state. The study requires the BPU to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within nine months. This is a procedural study bill focused on gathering data to inform future energy resilience efforts, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state buildings (including government offices, state universities, and agencies) to separate and recycle specific materials like aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, and plastic waste. It mandates that state entities provide recycling bins, clear signage, and educational resources for both employees and the public, along with establishing collection procedures. The rule does not apply to state parks or forests using a "carry-in, carry-out" trash program. The Department of Treasury, with the Environmental Protection Department, must create compliance guidance and ensure all state branches follow the requirements within 180 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public lead exposure from contaminated soil and drinking water. The DEP must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing results, and other relevant information to identify high-risk geographic areas, prioritize public funding for soil and water remediation, and develop a public education program about lead health risks. The plan must be updated every five years and made publicly available online. It directly affects DEP operations and aims to protect residents in communities with lead contamination.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years, restoring approximately $331 million in reduced aid payments that municipalities received during fiscal years 2009-2011. In fiscal year 2023, municipalities will receive 50% of the difference between their 2008 and 2012 aid distributions, with full restoration beginning in 2024. Municipalities must subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy calculations and cannot anticipate this aid when creating annual budgets. The bill requires municipalities to amend their budgets to properly reflect the total aid amount, ensuring the aid directly reduces the amount they need to raise through property taxes.