Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Supportive Action Functionality Experts (S.A.F.E.) within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management. The office would analyze risks and impacts of a widespread technology failure (like a major outage affecting communication, medical services, or transportation), develop response plans for essential services, and provide quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. It would also research technological dependencies, hold public hearings, and create public guides on preparing for such events. The bill directly affects state emergency management operations and planning, not individual citizens or private entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A561) allows New Jersey public school students to have up to five excused absences per school year for mental or behavioral health needs. These absences will not count toward chronic absenteeism (defined as missing 10% of school days) or affect perfect attendance records. Schools must provide opportunities for students to make up missed work and may require non-medical documentation to verify the need. After two such absences, schools may refer students to support staff.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A475 requires insurance companies selling homeowners, renters, excess liability, or personal liability policies in the state to offer firearm liability insurance as an optional coverage. This coverage must protect against legal liability for bodily injury, death, or property damage caused by firearms carried in public, with minimum limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 for multiple people, and $25,000 for property damage per incident. The law applies to all insurers authorized to sell these specific policy types and takes effect immediately upon enactment. It directly affects insurers and policyholders by adding this coverage option to standard policies without mandating purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to include an environmental sustainability plan within their existing long-range facilities plans. The plan must detail specific actions like improving energy efficiency (reducing emissions, using renewable energy), committing to sustainable procurement of school supplies and electronics, and creating a strategy to transition school bus fleets to electric vehicles. School districts must incorporate this plan into their facilities plans by the end of the first full school year after the bill takes effect and make it publicly accessible online. Districts must also annually report on progress toward their sustainability goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's alcohol beverage laws to clarify delivery and shipment privileges for retailers with specific licenses. It allows retailers holding plenary retail consumption, seasonal retail consumption, or plenary retail distribution licenses to accept alcoholic beverage deliveries at public warehouses and deliver products directly to consumers from those warehouses. The bill also clarifies that warehouse operators can assist customers by collecting, preparing, and packaging alcoholic beverages for delivery. These changes primarily affect liquor stores, supermarkets, and other retailers selling alcohol for off-premises consumption. The legislation makes the delivery process more explicit in the state's regulatory framework without changing existing license types or fees.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A472 bill restricts vehicle idling to two consecutive minutes for both gasoline and diesel-powered motor vehicles when not in motion, directly affecting drivers, bus operators, and commercial vehicle owners. Key provisions include exceptions for traffic congestion, emergency vehicles, bus passenger loading (up to 15 minutes per hour), and maintenance, while prohibiting idling near residential entrances/windows within 50 feet of apartment complexes or in electrified parking spaces. The bill also bans tampering with emissions controls and aligns with existing Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Violations carry civil penalties under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, providing two years of tuition support (up to $2,000 annually, totaling $4,000) at county colleges for eligible high school graduates. Students must earn a "School Counts certificate" by meeting strict criteria: 95%+ attendance, C+ GPA, completing extra credits beyond graduation requirements, finishing high school in 8 semesters (or per IEP), and passing Algebra I. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees (up to full cost of attendance), requires prior application for other aid, and mandates enrollment within six months of graduation. Funding combines state appropriations, county college contributions, and private donations, with program rollout starting at four colleges (one per region) and expanding to all 11 county colleges over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2871) increases the annual property tax deduction for senior citizens (65+), persons with disabilities, and veterans in New Jersey from $250 to $500. It directly affects eligible homeowners in these categories by reducing their taxable property tax burden by an additional $250 per year. The change would take effect starting in 2024, but the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before implementation. The deduction amount remains capped at the actual tax bill amount if it falls below $500.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state General Fund to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation to expand its memorial and Vietnam Era Museum. It provides $500,000 immediately for the expansion project and $2 million to a dedicated memorial fund, with annual $500,000 payments starting in the next fiscal year. The funds are specifically designated for physical expansion of the memorial site and museum facilities. The legislation directly affects the foundation and its ability to enhance the existing memorial and museum, which serves as New Jersey's only museum dedicated to preserving Vietnam War history.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed child care centers in New Jersey to have epinephrine auto-injectors available and at least one staff member trained to use them during operating hours. It directly affects licensed child care centers operating under New Jersey's child care licensing rules (P.L.1983, c.492). The key provision mandates centers to maintain a sufficient supply of epinephrine devices and ensure trained personnel are present. The Commissioner of Health may create additional rules to implement the law, and the bill takes effect immediately.