Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

Maddy summaryAJR 167 designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of this day to increase awareness about NEC, a serious intestinal condition affecting premature infants. It aligns with existing World NEC Awareness Day designations and aims to highlight NEC's impact, including its prevalence in premature infants and associated healthcare costs. (Procedural resolution; no new funding or regulations enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a presumption that Parkinson's disease in emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers is work-related for retirement purposes. It applies to those who didn't have symptoms of Parkinson's disease when they entered the retirement system. Under this presumption, these public safety workers can qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits without proving their condition was caused by their job. To qualify, they must have passed a physical examination before enrollment that didn't reveal Parkinson's disease. This change streamlines the process for these workers to receive benefits when they develop Parkinson's disease related to their duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Human Services to directly hire American Sign Language interpreters without using the standard civil service eligible list under specific time-sensitive situations. If the Civil Service Commission doesn't provide a certified list within 60 days for interpreter positions, or if no qualified candidates from the list accept the role, the department may appoint an otherwise qualified candidate. The department must obtain written authorization from the Commissioner and use a waiver approved by the Civil Service Commission to bypass the usual hiring process. The hired candidate must complete a working test period to gain full civil service status, and the department won't need to replace them later if a certified list eventually becomes available.

Maddy summaryAJR 159 designates November 14 of each year as "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools and communities to observe the day with educational activities. It commemorates Ruby Bridges' 1960 integration of William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, highlighting her courage during school desegregation. The bill has no binding requirements beyond the annual proclamation request.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 168 urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation allowing individuals receiving federal disability benefits (specifically Supplemental Security Income/SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance/SSDI) to retain those benefits upon marriage. Currently, federal law imposes low asset limits for married couples (unchanged since 1989), which can force beneficiaries to lose support if they marry, as seen in cases highlighted by the documentary "Patrice: The Movie." The resolution cites the Social Security Administration's acknowledgment that these policies are outdated and notes recent administrative improvements to SSI. It does not change existing law but formally calls on Congress to update asset limits and marriage rules to prevent loss of benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey telephone chat-line program to connect seniors aged 60+ who feel isolated with trained volunteers for weekly supportive phone calls. Seniors (or their family/guardians) register with details about their interests, hobbies, and preferred call times, while volunteers (18+) provide similar information to enable matching based on shared interests and location. The program requires strict confidentiality for all participant information and call content. It directs the Division of Aging Services to implement the program immediately with no additional funding or timeline specified.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (AR 178) condemns the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a budget resolution that would cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget over ten years, specifically targeting healthcare (Medicaid/Medicare), education, and SNAP benefits. It urges the U.S. Senate to reject the House resolution, citing potential severe impacts on New Jersey residents who rely on these programs: approximately 1.8 million low- and moderate-income people use NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid/CHIP), and 830,000 receive SNAP food assistance. The resolution states that funding cuts could reduce federal Medicaid support by up to $5.2 billion and threaten SNAP benefits through eligibility restrictions or benefit limits. As a procedural resolution, it does not change laws but expresses New Jersey's opposition to the proposed cuts.