Asm. Robert Karabinchak

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow crematories to operate as stand-alone facilities on property owned or leased by the cremation company, separate from cemeteries or funeral homes. Currently, New Jersey law restricts crematories to cemetery grounds or funeral homes that existed before December 1, 1971. The bill would require crematory companies to be nonprofit entities, file with the New Jersey Cemetery Board, post their regulations and charges publicly, and submit annual reports. It would also establish a system for issuing 12 permits for stand-alone crematories and prohibit crematory companies from manufacturing urns or operating funeral homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey telecommunications companies (including traditional providers and VoIP services) to automatically provide prorated bill credits to residential customers when service is interrupted for more than 72 hours. Companies cannot require customers to take action to receive these credits. The law specifically exempts service interruptions caused by major grid damage events for VoIP providers, and the Board of Public Utilities will enforce this requirement. It directly affects customers who experience prolonged outages and telecom companies that must adjust bills without customer requests.

Maddy summaryAJR 86 designates the fourth Wednesday in May each year as "Crisis Professionals Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day to honor crisis professionals who assist individuals during mental health crises. These professionals, trained to de-escalate crises using empathy and support, provide critical services to vulnerable New Jersey residents. The bill has no fiscal impact and serves solely as a ceremonial recognition of their work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, including commercial plans, health maintenance organizations, and state programs, to cover mammograms starting at age 35 rather than 40 for routine screening. It mandates annual mammograms for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. The bill also requires coverage for additional breast imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs when mammograms show dense breast tissue or abnormalities. This applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The policy change lowers the age threshold for routine screening to improve early breast cancer detection.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Deep Fake Technology Unit within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to address the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. The unit will provide technical training, evidence analysis, and expert support to state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts for detecting and investigating deceptive audio or visual media. It requires annual reports on deepfake technology trends, legal developments, and collaboration efforts, and appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to cover operational costs. The unit directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and state prosecutors by enhancing their capacity to handle deepfake-related cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from New Jersey's solid waste disposal and recycling laws. Specifically, plastics transported to and processed using chemical methods like gasification, pyrolysis, or solvolysis would no longer be classified as "solid waste" under state law. The exemption does not apply to plastics labeled with codes 1 (PETE) or 2 (HDPE). Advanced plastic processing facilities would still be subject to environmental regulations governing air and water pollution. This change would primarily affect plastic processors using these advanced chemical conversion methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for New Jersey public safety retirees and members of PFRS, SPRS, and PERS to claim accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows retirement system boards to approve additional two-year filing extensions beyond the initial two-year window required after the 2019 law. The bill also provides an alternative to proving prior medical health status by permitting members to submit medical examination results from before or after public service entry, rather than requiring proof of a passing pre-employment physical. This applies to those who participated in 9/11 operations between September 11-12, 2001, and developed qualifying health conditions as a result of their service. Retirement systems must notify members about this bill within 30 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a rebate program for eligible electric bicycles, targeting residents in municipalities with over 70,000 people. It provides up to $2,000 per bike (capped at the purchase price) paid in two installments: 50% upon application approval and 50% after one year of continued use and ownership. The program aims to reduce vehicle emissions by encouraging short-distance electric bike trips in urban areas, using $250,000 in state funds. BPU will determine eligible bike types, application processes, and program rules to meet this goal.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $44.7 million Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to help eligible New Jersey school districts affected by state aid cuts in the 2024-2025 school year. It provides grants covering two-thirds of each district's state aid reduction (capped at 9.9% of their prior year's tax levy) and allows eligible districts to temporarily exceed normal tax increase limits to offset these cuts. Districts receiving aid must maintain staff levels from the previous year unless enrollment declines, requiring commissioner approval for reductions. The program specifically excludes SDA districts (special needs districts) from the tax levy exception but does not affect their existing tax authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3495) strengthens protections for hotel, motel, and similar hospitality franchisees in New Jersey by amending the Franchise Practices Act. It prohibits franchisors from: keeping rebates from vendors without sharing them with franchisees, forcing exclusive purchases from franchisor-designated suppliers when comparable options exist, opening competing outlets in franchisees' protected territories without consent, unilaterally changing key contract terms (except for health/safety), imposing undisclosed fees, charging for low guest enrollment in loyalty programs, or selling loyalty points without compensating franchisees for lost revenue. The law applies only to franchises requiring a physical location in New Jersey and ensures franchisees cannot be terminated for violating these new rules. It directly affects franchisees operating hospitality businesses under agreements requiring in-state operations.