Asm. Robert Karabinchak

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media companies with at least five million global users to establish a 24-hour toll-free phone number for New Jersey residents to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. Social media companies must display this number in security email alerts sent to New Jersey account holders and on their platform's homepage or help page. Failure to comply would violate New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense and potential additional penalties like cease-and-desist orders. The law directly affects large social media platforms operating in New Jersey, aiming to provide residents with a direct, accessible channel for security concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a public database managed by New Jersey's Business Action Center (within the Department of State) listing vacant commercial properties available for small businesses to lease or purchase. The database must include specific details like square footage, included equipment, and building systems (e.g., HVAC, security). Commercial property owners are required to report vacancies or occupancy changes to the center, which will update the database monthly using input from owners, realtors, and municipalities. The database will be accessible online and promoted to business associations and local chambers to help small businesses find suitable space more efficiently.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3906) requires New Jersey state agencies to apply a price discount (up to 5%) to bids for asphalt or concrete when using pervious pavement materials on public construction projects. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a stormwater management hierarchy ranking materials by their ability to reduce runoff and filter contaminants. Taxpayers purchasing pervious pavement for municipal, county, or state projects can claim a credit against certain taxes. The bill directly affects state agencies, contractors working on public projects, and businesses selling these materials, aiming to promote environmentally beneficial paving through procurement incentives and tax relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), and the State Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) to cover specific mammogram screenings. It mandates one baseline mammogram for women aged 35 and annual screenings for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) as determined by their provider. Additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs are covered if needed due to dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or other risk factors. The law applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, ensuring these screenings are covered without additional out-of-pocket costs for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections for cooperating witnesses in New Jersey by authorizing state funding for their safety and relocation. It amends existing law to include cooperating witnesses (those testifying for prosecutors or working with law enforcement, including confidential informants) under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing them protection from harm and access to safety-related services. The bill specifically directs the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to cover relocation expenses for witnesses and their household members, plus safety costs like crisis response, counseling, and emergency services. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with prosecutions and their families, ensuring they receive concrete support to safely participate in criminal justice proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the maximum interest rate property owners pay to redeem tax liens from 18% to 9% per year. It directly affects homeowners and property owners who have had tax liens placed on their properties by municipalities. The key change amends existing law (R.S.54:5-32) to cap the redemption interest rate at 9%, while allowing bidders to offer cash premiums instead of interest rates. This policy change simplifies the redemption process and lowers costs for affected property owners under current tax lien procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum age for residents in New Jersey's pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26 years old. It directly affects facilities licensed under P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) and young adults aged 19-26 who currently must transition to adult care at age 19. The key provision modifies licensing rules to permit these facilities to admit and serve residents up to age 26. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses bidding on New Jersey state contracts exceeding $50,000 to disclose all labor or employment law violations (including wage, safety, or workers' compensation breaches) from the past two years. State agencies evaluating bids must assess the seriousness of disclosed violations and may disqualify bidders whose violations pose a significant health/safety risk or show disregard for the law. It directly affects contractors seeking state work by adding a transparency requirement tied to their labor compliance record. The policy change focuses on ensuring contractors have a clean labor record before securing public contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.