Rep. Wayne DeAngelo

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the penalty for causing death by reckless driving when the driver was intoxicated (drunk or high) or had a suspended license for a DUI. It elevates the crime to a first-degree offense (instead of second-degree) if the death occurs within 1,000 feet of school property, at a school crossing, or in a highway construction zone. The law requires a hearing to prove intoxication, and a convicted driver must serve a minimum prison term of at least one-third to one-half of their sentence or three years, without parole eligibility during that time. It directly affects drivers convicted of causing death while driving under the influence in these specific locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the mandatory retirement age for New Jersey State Police members from 55 to 60 years. It directly affects all state police officers covered by the State Police Retirement System (SPRS), excluding the Superintendent of State Police. The change means officers must retire at age 60 instead of 55, while maintaining the existing 20-year service requirement for retirement benefits. The bill does not alter other provisions, such as health coverage for retirees with less than 25 years of service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from school buses loading/unloading children or individuals with developmental disabilities on undivided highways, and to slow to 10 mph on divided highways. It establishes that violations captured by school bus monitoring systems (like cameras) will result in a $300 civil penalty instead of criminal charges or license points. The law directly affects drivers near school buses, school bus operators, and enforcement agencies. Key provisions include standardized stopping distances, speed limits for divided highways, and shifting penalties for monitored violations to a civil fine system. This changes enforcement by prioritizing evidence from monitoring systems to reduce penalties for documented violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for employers who violate New Jersey's wage and hour law. For first-time violations, fines rise from $100-$1,000 to $500-$1,000; second violations increase to $1,000-$2,000; and third or subsequent violations become a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines or 18 months in jail. Each week an employee is paid below the legal rate counts as a separate offense. The bill also allows the Labor Commissioner to impose administrative penalties up to $500 per violation after providing due process, including a 15-day hearing window. These changes directly affect employers who fail to pay proper wages or comply with record-keeping requirements.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates for honorably discharged veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (like a DD-214 form) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The plates must display "Veteran" and the veteran's military branch insignia, designed with input from the Adjutant General. Fees collected fund a dedicated veterans' support account, with initial costs potentially offset by private donations up to $25,000. The program requires annual certification of costs and can be discontinued if fees don't cover expenses for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1054) creates a new "Energy Infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships Program" to help public entities like schools, hospitals, and emergency facilities upgrade energy infrastructure through long-term partnerships with private companies. It directly affects these critical facilities by allowing them to enter 25-year energy contracts under existing public procurement laws, instead of shorter terms. Key mechanisms include extending contract durations for renewable energy projects (like solar and battery storage), requiring partnerships to improve grid resilience and reduce emissions, and leveraging private capital to avoid taxpayer costs. The program aims to modernize aging systems, support New Jersey’s decarbonization goals, and enhance reliability for essential services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new large retail facilities and warehouses (75,000+ square feet) to be designed with roofs capable of supporting solar panels. Specifically, the roof structure must accommodate the weight of operational solar systems covering at least 40% of the roof area (minus skylights, decks, or required setbacks). It mandates the Department of Community Affairs to establish standards for "solar-ready" construction, ensuring future solar installation is structurally feasible without major retrofits. The law applies to buildings where construction permits were not finalized before the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether microgrids and distributed energy resources (like localized solar or battery systems) can reduce the duration of long-term power outages. The study requires the BPU to compare New Jersey's grid performance with 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 BPU must submit a report with findings and recommendations within nine months, including an analysis of existing microgrid pilot programs. This study does not implement new policies but provides data to inform future grid resilience efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests and removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It specifically covers veterans honorably discharged with a service-connected disability (any degree) verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Current law already provided free entry to seniors (62+), totally disabled residents, and National Guard members with training completion, but did not include disabled veterans for beach access fees. The bill extends both free entry and free beach access to all qualifying disabled veterans, regardless of disability severity.