Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Department of Human Services (DHS) to study and improve transportation accessibility for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Specifically, it mandates DOT to review current infrastructure design practices for highways and transit projects, then adopt new standards to help these individuals travel more independently. The agencies must also study nationwide best practices for operating public transportation and mobility programs to make them more accessible. Finally, DOT must encourage local governments applying for state funding to adopt these improved accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special New Jersey license plates supporting Autism Awareness. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with the additional funds going to a special fund. The fund, managed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, supports autism research and treatment programs. The program requires 500 initial applications and a $25,000 contribution from autism advocacy groups before implementation, and will expire if these conditions aren't met within 12 months.

Maddy summaryACR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250, effective 2024. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who reside in the state, allowing them to deduct the full $1,250 from property taxes (or cancel the tax if it's less than $1,250). The current $250 deduction has remained unchanged since 2003, and this amendment requires voter approval to take effect. If passed, it would be the first increase since 1999, when the deduction rose from $50 to $250.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1213) provides $15 million in supplemental state funding to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation via the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The funds will support expanding the Vietnam Era Museum by 11,850 square feet to achieve accreditation, acquire modern equipment for preserving artifacts, and enhance educational programming. The Foundation, which serves over 10,000 New Jersey students annually, will use the expansion to improve museum facilities and visitor experiences. This direct funding supports the Foundation's mission to honor Vietnam War veterans and educate the public through its museum and programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a hiring preference for Class Two special law enforcement officers seeking positions with municipal law enforcement agencies in New Jersey. It places this preference after the current preferences given to veterans and to children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The preference applies only to initial appointments (not promotions) and to both civil service and non-civil service municipal agencies. Applicants must still meet all standard hiring requirements to qualify for this preference.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2484) eliminates a $50 fee charged to New Jersey residents for filing a certified copy of a court-ordered name change. It directly affects individuals who change their names due to events like marriage, divorce, or legal adoption. The bill amends state law by removing the specific fee provision (previously listed in Section 11(d)) for certified name change documents. This change applies immediately upon enactment, reducing costs for people needing official documentation of their name change.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A590 bill grants state employees an additional day of administrative leave per year for Eid al-Fitr and an additional day for Eid al-Adha, separate from their standard leave allotment. It requires public school districts to record absences for these holidays as excused, ensuring students face no academic penalties, such as missing awards or tests. The law also mandates that such absences not appear on transcripts or affect eligibility, provided a parent or guardian submits a written excuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to close public schools for regular classes on election days when those schools serve as polling places. It allows school boards to use the day for staff training instead of holding classes. The law applies immediately to all election days, with its first application being the November 2021 general election. This policy directly affects school districts that use public schools as voting locations during elections.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.