Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates designated for firefighters and members of first aid or rescue squads in New Jersey. It directly affects compensated, partially compensated, and volunteer members of fire departments or first aid/rescue squads who currently pay this fee in addition to standard vehicle registration costs. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1977, c.369) to remove the $15 charge, meaning applicants will only pay standard vehicle registration fees. The special plates (featuring a Maltese Cross with "F.D." for firefighters or a similar design for first aid/rescue members) remain available under the same eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the commission managing New Jersey's State House Complex to adopt and implement an environmental sustainability plan every four years. The plan must include specific measures like energy efficiency upgrades, water conservation (including drought-resistant landscaping), adherence to green building standards, sustainable food service options (such as local produce and compostable utensils), and strategies to reduce carbon emissions. The commission must also issue annual public progress reports and establish performance metrics to track the plan's implementation. This directly affects the management of the State House Complex, mandating concrete environmental practices for its operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to create and implement an environmental sustainability plan for the New Jersey State House Complex. The plan must include specific measures like energy efficiency upgrades (using Energy Star products and alternative electricity), water conservation, sustainable food service practices (e.g., locally sourced foods), carbon emission reduction strategies, and performance tracking. The commission must revise the plan every four years, issue annual public progress reports online, and appoint an advisory committee of sustainability experts. The bill directly affects the Commission and all state operations within the complex, mandating concrete environmental improvements in its management.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public transportation employees in New Jersey (specifically those working for NJ Transit) to complete a one-time training course on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The training must include information about known signs and signals used by trafficking victims seeking help or observed in public spaces. Current employees must complete the training within two years of the bill's effective date, while new employees must complete it within six months of starting their position. The New Jersey Transit Corporation will develop the training, establish which staff must complete it, and ensure materials are provided to employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2415) requires New Jersey's Silver Alert System to use the same broadcast alert procedures as the Amber Alert System. It directly affects media outlets participating in the Silver Alert program, which helps locate missing elderly individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments. The key provision mandates that participating media must broadcast a distinctive sound tone followed by "This is a Missing Person Silver Alert" during alerts, with the alert repeated as often as possible for the first three hours. After three hours, broadcasts continue at intervals determined by law enforcement and media, while including a description of the missing person and contact information for the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis, which must be linked to a traumatic event experienced during their duties or vicarious trauma from their job. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior position after leave, and violations allow employees to sue for remedies including $5,000 fines for first violations, reinstatement, back pay, and attorney fees. The civil action must be filed within one year of the alleged violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of fully paid recovery leave after childbirth, with benefits maintained and the leave not counted against sick leave balances. The policy must also prohibit residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period, which are typically applied to other medical leave. The State Police Superintendent must post clear details, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information, on the department's intranet. This directly affects current and future female troopers who become pregnant while serving.

Maddy summaryS 2346 creates a three-year pilot program to protect vulnerable residents during extreme heat and poor air quality events. It establishes "Code Red" alerts triggered when heat index reaches 95°F+ for two days or air quality hits index 151+, requiring counties to coordinate cooling centers, transportation, and outreach for homeless or outdoor residents. The bill appropriates $5 million total - $500,000 per participating county - to fund this effort in 10 selected counties. Counties must develop alert plans with local agencies, report to the state, and submit a final evaluation on the program’s effectiveness after the pilot ends.