Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (A-1400), prohibits state and local government agencies - including law enforcement, schools, and hospitals - from cooperating with federal immigration authorities on immigration detainer requests that lack judicial warrants. It directly affects immigrants and their families by ensuring they can access public services like healthcare and education without fear of deportation. Key provisions ban agencies from holding individuals beyond their release date based on federal immigration detainers (like I-247 forms) and require them to prioritize local safety over federal immigration enforcement. The law aims to prevent unconstitutional detentions and maintain community trust in public services, as federal detainers have been found to violate constitutional rights in multiple courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their state gross income tax. It directly affects workers who pay dues to labor organizations (defined as groups addressing workplace issues like wages or conditions). To claim the deduction, taxpayers must provide verification of dues paid to the state tax division. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Labor Committee and would apply to tax years starting after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies (and their vendors) to offer electronic fund transfers (EFT) as a standard option for reimbursing policyholders for covered medical costs. It mandates that insurers notify policyholders about any fees for EFT and provide clear website instructions to select this payment method. Insurers violating these rules face enforcement by the Department of Banking and Insurance, including fines and orders to reimburse policyholders for any fees they incurred. The law applies to all health benefits plans (excluding Medicare Supplement, workers' comp, and similar coverage) for claims submitted after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's Household Water Assistance Program, providing financial help to low-income households struggling to pay water, sewer, and stormwater bills. It directly affects households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, those receiving specific benefits like SNAP or veterans' payments, or those facing temporary hardship (e.g., job loss, medical costs). Key provisions include direct bill assistance, debt relief for past-due payments, prevention of service disconnections, and support for water efficiency repairs. The program appropriates $75 million to cover these services, aiming to make water costs affordable while ensuring access to safe water.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a permanent unit within New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, transportation barriers, or financial constraints - covering roughly a quarter of New Jersey's adult population based on CDC data. The unit's core duties include assessing needs before/during/after emergencies, tracking resource availability, ensuring access to assistance, and coordinating with local emergency offices across all three regions. The unit would consist of one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to implement these responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Corrections to submit quarterly reports to legislative leaders detailing the operation of residential community release programs (including halfway houses). The reports must include specific data on reimbursement rates, inmate demographics by offense type (violent vs. non-violent), escape/abscondment rates, safety incidents, and measures to prevent violence. It also mandates an annual analysis of each program's effectiveness, with a focus on recidivism rates, and recommendations for improvement. The bill directly affects correctional programs and the state legislature, which will use the data to monitor program performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a "transfer on death deed" system in New Jersey, allowing property owners aged 18 or older with sound mind to automatically transfer real estate to named beneficiaries upon their death. It establishes that such deeds must be recorded before the owner's death, are revocable at any time, and bypass probate. The law ensures the current owner retains full control during their lifetime (including the right to sell or mortgage the property), and beneficiaries gain no ownership rights until after the owner dies. Crucially, it protects the owner's eligibility for public assistance and prevents creditors from claiming the property before the owner's death.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 5-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to coordinate START services - systemic, therapeutic, assessment, resource, and treatment services - for adults with both developmental disabilities and mental illness. It directly affects eligible adults who are at risk of behavioral health crises, aiming to prevent institutionalization by providing community-based support. Key mechanisms include establishing therapeutic respite homes with dedicated respite beds (for crisis prevention) and stabilization beds (for active crises), offering 24/7 crisis response services, and developing personalized crisis management plans. The program mandates DHS to create regional partnerships and designate at least one therapeutic respite home per state region (north, central, south), each with minimum bed requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age at which New Jersey minors can consent to outpatient behavioral health treatment from 16 to 14 years old. It allows 14- and older minors to directly consent to temporary outpatient mental health care (excluding medication) for mental illness or emotional disorders without parental permission. The treatment must be provided by licensed professionals like psychologists or counselors in outpatient settings, and the care remains confidential. This change aims to improve access to mental health services for younger teens, aligning with similar laws in 10 other states.