Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires scrap metal businesses in New Jersey to verify the identity of sellers and obtain written disclosure about whether scrap metal contains lithium-ion or propulsion batteries (used in vehicles) before purchase. Businesses must inspect scrap metal if sellers claim it contains no such batteries and maintain detailed records of all disclosures and inspections for five years. The law directly affects scrap metal businesses and individuals selling scrap metal, aiming to prevent the theft or improper handling of batteries that could cause fires or environmental harm. It also mandates that businesses provide these records to law enforcement upon request.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $1 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects full-time firefighters and their immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) who are experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to develop application processes, prioritize providers within one hour of travel distance for patients, and maintain an online list of approved providers. The grant funding aims to overcome barriers preventing firefighters from seeking help due to fears of professional repercussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a five-year assessment of unregulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It specifically mandates the DEP to evaluate whether current drinking water standards adequately protect children (considering their smaller body size and higher water intake relative to weight) and determine if new standards are needed for unregulated PFAS. The DEP must submit written reports of these assessments to the Governor and Legislature, and publish them online. The bill is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching certifications: 1) A "Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement (excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing students), allowing teachers to instruct all students with disabilities across all grade levels without separate endorsements. 2) A "Kindergarten through Grade 8" endorsement enabling teachers to instruct grades K-6 and specialty subjects in grades 7-8. 3) A "Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement requiring language proficiency and coursework, replacing current requirements that needed separate subject/grade endorsements. These changes primarily affect current and prospective teachers seeking certification in special education, elementary/middle school, and bilingual education, streamlining their qualifications for New Jersey public schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 12-member "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will study whether oversight of addiction treatment services should be consolidated under one agency or improved through better coordination, develop best practices for treatment centers and sober homes, and recommend regulations for dual ownership of these facilities. It includes government officials, agency representatives, and public members (including treatment center managers and sober home owners) and must submit findings to the Governor and Legislature within two years. The task force aims to address fragmentation in New Jersey's current system, which involves multiple departments overseeing different aspects of addiction treatment and has faced issues like fraud and inefficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act" to regulate businesses operating physical terminals that exchange cash for digital currency (like Bitcoin) or vice versa. It directly affects virtual currency kiosk operators (e.g., companies running crypto exchange machines) and the consumers using them. Key provisions require operators to provide clear, written risk disclosures to customers *before* any transaction, including material risks of virtual currency use, and to comply with federal anti-money laundering rules (Bank Secrecy Act/USA PATRIOT Act). The bill also mandates operator record-keeping for enforcement and restricts public disclosure of sensitive operational data while requiring basic operator information (name, address) to be publicly available.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3909) removes a restriction that previously required crematories to operate only on cemetery or funeral home property. It allows cremation companies to establish stand-alone facilities anywhere, as long as they meet regulatory standards. The key change amends the definition of "cremation company" to specify it must be a separate facility not located on cemetery or funeral home grounds. This directly affects cremation service providers seeking to operate independently of traditional cemetery or funeral home operations. The bill updates regulatory language to permit this expanded location flexibility while maintaining oversight by the New Jersey Cemetery and Crematory Board.

Maddy summaryBill A1800 would allow small private theaters (seating under 400 people) that charge admission for live musical or theatrical performances to obtain an alcohol license. Currently, only nonprofit theaters with over 1,000 seats qualify for similar licenses, which permit alcohol service during shows and two hours before/after. This bill specifically authorizes for-profit theaters to serve alcohol during performances and the adjacent time window, requiring municipal approval with oversight from New Jersey's Alcohol Beverage Control division. It removes population-based license restrictions that currently apply to other venues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to conduct a standardized danger assessment for individuals they reasonably believe are victims of domestic violence. The assessment, using a tool approved by the Attorney General, evaluates risk factors like recent violence, injuries, and weapon use to determine if a victim faces elevated risk of serious harm. If the assessment indicates high risk, officers must inform the victim and, with consent, connect them to crisis services or domestic violence support. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, and service providers, focusing on immediate risk identification and assistance. It does not alter existing legal definitions or penalties but mandates specific protocols for officer response.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $5 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities improve disaster relief services for residents. Municipalities can apply for grants of up to $30,000 to fund staff training, stockpiles of supplies, and technology for processing disaster relief applications and related paperwork. The Office of Emergency Management will prioritize funding based on each municipality's risk assessment, and grantees must report after one year on how funds improved emergency preparedness. The program is funded through a state appropriation and administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation.