Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the statutory name of New Jersey's drug court program from "special probation" to "special probation recovery court program" throughout state law. The bill makes a technical name change to better reflect the program's focus on recovery rather than merely "drugs," while maintaining the same eligibility requirements and structure. The program serves non-violent offenders convicted of drug-related offenses who are found to be drug or alcohol dependent and would benefit from treatment instead of incarceration. This is a purely procedural change with no policy or operational modifications to the existing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online service operators in New Jersey to notify consumers about how their personal data is collected and shared. Operators must disclose data categories collected, third parties involved, and processes for consumers to review or correct their information. It also mandates a clear opt-in mechanism for data sales (not opt-out), with operators prohibited from discriminating against consumers who choose not to sell their data. Consumers can request details about disclosed data within 60 days, and the Attorney General enforces compliance without allowing private lawsuits.

Maddy summaryBill A2844 would provide free undergraduate tuition and student fees at New Jersey public colleges and universities for children (ages 17-26) and spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners of veterans who were killed in action, declared POW/MIA, permanently and totally disabled due to service, or died from a service-connected disability. To qualify, the veteran must have been a New Jersey resident when entering active duty, the dependent must be a New Jersey resident enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing, and must have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. The benefit covers up to the credits needed for a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution or an associate degree at a community college. For spouses or partners, benefits are limited to 10 years from the qualifying event (e.g., veteran's death or disability determination) and end if they remarry or form a new partnership.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A921) requires licensed healthcare professionals and homemaker-home health aides who provide in-home care to complete annual bias training. Specifically, they must take one credit of cultural competency and implicit bias training within one year of the law’s effective date, then every two years thereafter. The training curriculum, developed by the Department of Health, covers identifying biases related to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, communication techniques, and health disparities. The Department of Health will maintain an electronic database to track compliance with this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires development projects over five acres that cause deforestation to obtain a permit and submit a compensatory reforestation plan. The plan must aim for no net loss of forested area, detailing where trees will be planted (preferably on the same property or in the same municipality), species selection (native, diverse, climate-resilient), and costs. Developers can comply by planting trees on-site, contracting for planting, or depositing funds into the new "State Compensatory Reforestation Fund." The fund will also support a grant program to subsidize tree planting costs for private landowners, separate from development project requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint an advocate in specific criminal cases involving animal welfare - such as animal cruelty (R.S.4:22-17) or dog fighting (P.L.2015, c.85) - to represent the animal's best interests. The advocate monitors the case, reviews records from animal control and veterinarians, shares information with attorneys, and recommends placement or care to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring the AOC to submit a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Special Investigations Division in state correctional facilities to submit two types of reports: (1) an executive summary of any inmate sexual abuse complaint within 48 hours of receipt, and (2) a monthly report by the 10th day summarizing all sexual assault allegations from the prior month and updates on open investigations. It directly affects correctional facilities, the Commissioner of Corrections, and facility administrators by mandating timely reporting on abuse investigations. The key provision ensures transparency by requiring prompt initial summaries and regular detailed updates, aiming to improve accountability in handling abuse claims. The bill takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to submit quarterly reports to the state legislature about residential community release programs, including halfway houses that help inmates transition after prison. The reports must detail specific data such as reimbursement amounts per inmate, inmate demographics (violent vs. non-violent crimes), escape rates, safety measures, and incidents of violence. Additionally, the DOC must annually analyze program effectiveness in reducing recidivism (repeat offenses) and provide improvement recommendations. These requirements aim to increase transparency and inform legislative oversight of reentry programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires residential property buyers to record deeds within 90 days of receiving them, imposing a $10 daily late fee (capped at $500) if they miss the deadline. It directly affects homebuyers who delay recording deeds, with exceptions for county office closures, escrow delays, or agent errors (where the fee applies to the agent, not the buyer). Late fee proceeds must fund county homelessness housing programs. The fee applies to properties classified as residential under New Jersey law, excluding state entities and certain farm properties. The bill aims to streamline property records while directing revenue toward housing assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new law enforcement employers (such as county/municipal police departments, educational institutions, state agencies, or NJ Transit) to reimburse former employers for training costs when an officer moves to a new position within 120 days of resignation. The reimbursement amount depends on the officer's prior tenure: 100% if they resigned after a probationary period or less than two years of permanent service, or 50% if they had two to three years of permanent service. The bill covers examination, hiring, and training costs including course fees and base salary during training. New employers must complete reimbursement within 120 days of the new appointment.