Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their boards of trustees, and charter management organizations. It mandates transparency by requiring charter schools to maintain public websites with budgets, meeting notices, annual reports, and board member information. The bill sets standards for board membership (requiring relevant experience and local residence), prohibits non-disclosure agreements as employment conditions, and requires charter management organizations receiving public funds to file tax documents. These provisions aim to increase accountability and governance standards while maintaining charter schools' independence from traditional public schools.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes several railroad safety requirements. It mandates a minimum of two crew members for trains transporting hazardous materials (with exceptions for certain operations like tourist trains or yard movements), prohibits trains longer than 8,500 feet on main and branch lines, and requires privately owned railroads to submit federally required bridge inspection reports. The bill also requires railroads to maintain proper wayside detector systems for defect detection and permits non-profit labor organizations to inspect for safety hazards. Violations face civil penalties of $500-$1,000 per foot exceeding the maximum train length, with potential maximum penalties of $250,000 for gross negligence or repeated violations causing safety hazards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows adults, emancipated minors, and their authorized representatives (like parents or legal guardians) to create a formal written directive preventing healthcare providers from prescribing or administering opioids. The directive must be created using a form developed by the New Jersey Department of Health and entered into the patient's electronic health record. Healthcare providers are protected from liability or disciplinary action for following the directive in good faith, though opioids may still be prescribed if medically necessary. Individuals can revoke the directive at any time, either orally or in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's solid waste management districts (including counties and the Hackensack Meadowlands District) to develop and implement a strategy to reduce food waste by at least 50% by 2030, compared to waste levels in the year the law takes effect. Districts must adopt this strategy as an amendment to their existing solid waste management plans, subject to DEP approval. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must also publish a public list of specific methods districts can use, including food donation programs, composting facilities, source separation, and public awareness campaigns. These measures aim to divert food waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates tiered retirement benefits in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), moving all current non-retired members to the "Tier 1" benefit level previously available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disability recipients under long-term insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits if they apply within two years. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for certain long-incarcerated individuals to seek rehabilitative release. It requires the Department of Corrections to issue a Certificate of Eligibility to people who have served at least 20 years (and are age 60+) or 30 years for murder (and are age 62+). Eligible individuals may then petition a court for sentence modification, which the court may grant if it finds they are not a danger, demonstrate reentry readiness (e.g., through education/vocational programs), and the interests of justice warrant release. If granted, the person receives a five-year parole term and must have victim input considered during the court hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulated framework for psilocybin use in behavioral health treatment for New Jersey residents aged 21 and older. It creates an 18-month development period during which a Psilocybin Advisory Board will develop guidelines, followed by licensing requirements for psilocybin product manufacturers, service centers, and facilitators. The bill decriminalizes psilocybin use for those 21+ and expunges past convictions related to psilocybin offenses. It also includes a social opportunity program to promote equitable access and requires strict tracking of psilocybin products for safety and regulatory purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." It establishes a $500 fine for violations and allows pet shops to sell other animals or pet supplies, while enabling collaboration with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" for animals and specifies that an animal's death within 14 days of sale (except by accident) would be considered evidence of being unfit. It also prohibits animal rescue organizations, shelters, and pounds from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for compensation. The law does not affect pet dealers (not pet shops) or consumer rights for animals purchased from them.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A1888, protects residents of long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, assisted living residences, and dementia care homes) and individuals in the admission process. It prohibits facility staff, owners, or financially affiliated persons from serving as a resident's legal representative (guardian or attorney-in-fact), invalidating any such power of attorney. The bill requires facilities to use a standardized state-developed admission form, bans signing non-admission documents at entry, and mandates posting a notice about hiring an attorney for Medicaid applications. It also sets rules for non-attorney Medicaid assistance, requiring training and prohibiting fees for such services.

Maddy summaryThe "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey" requires all voting policies to be interpreted in ways that maximize voting access for all eligible voters, particularly members of racial, color, and language-minority groups. It prohibits voting practices that burden protected class members and mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters. The bill creates a preclearance process for voting changes in jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations and establishes the New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data. These provisions aim to ensure equitable access to voting and protect against voter suppression and vote dilution.