Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill changes sentencing for human trafficking convictions in New Jersey. It makes human trafficking crimes (including labor exploitation and sexual trafficking of adults or children) punishable as first-degree offenses, requiring a minimum 20-year prison sentence with no parole eligibility for 20 years. Convicted traffickers must also pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws, and fines collected will fund a survivor assistance program. The law directly affects traffickers convicted under these provisions, increasing penalties and ensuring victims receive financial compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1929) requires New Jersey to create a program paying high school equivalency exam fees for low-income adults. It directly affects individuals with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, who seek a state-issued high school diploma. The State Board of Education must establish the program within six months, including income verification documentation, and limit fee coverage to one exam per person. The program will be funded using 5% of revenues from the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, as amended in Section 9 of P.L.1992, c.43.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail food stores in New Jersey from raising the price of staple food items more than once per day. It directly affects stores selling everyday groceries like cereals, dairy, meats, eggs, fruits, and vegetables (defined as "staple food goods"). Violations carry civil penalties: $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second, and $5,000 for third or subsequent offenses. Enforcement will be handled by the Office of Weights and Measures and the Office of Consumer Protection within the Department of Law and Public Safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $17 million from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for fiscal year 2023. It establishes a grant program to assist qualified entities - including lake commissions (like Greenwood Lake and Lake Hopatcong), local governments, and nonprofits - focusing on lake management for recreation and conservation. Grants prioritize projects improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms, increasing public access, and controlling pollution that affects lake use. The DEP must develop application criteria and administer the program, with funds limited to eligible lake management activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3367) establishes a one-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to support bee populations by reimbursing homeowners up to $250 and businesses up to $500 for converting lawns into bee-friendly habitats. The program, funded by a $1 million appropriation, requires the department to develop application guidelines, eligibility criteria, an informational website, and a list of approved native plants. Homeowners and businesses must convert lawns to include sufficient food-providing plants, forbs, or legumes to qualify for reimbursement. The department must submit a report within six months of the program's end detailing participation, effectiveness, and recommendations for future action.

Maddy summaryACR 40 is a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the "Alice Paul Voter Protection Act" (H.R. 1583), a proposed federal law. This resolution does not create new law but supports H.R. 1583, which would criminalize interfering with voter registration - such as preventing someone from registering or helping others register - with penalties including fines or up to five years in prison. It also requires the federal Election Assistance Commission to develop best practices for states to prevent such violations. The resolution honors suffrage leader Alice Paul, a New Jersey native whose work led to the 19th Amendment, though the resolution itself has no binding effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Emergency Medical Technician Training Fund eligibility rules. It clarifies that volunteer EMTs receiving "length of service awards" remain eligible for fund reimbursement, expands the definition of "public or private institution of higher education" to include out-of-state schools, and defines "volunteer EMT" as someone providing services without hourly wage/salary compensation (excluding length-of-service awards). It also changes the requirement for "good standing" from 12 monthly calls to 12 annual calls or 150 duty hours per year during the initial certification period. The bill directly affects volunteer EMTs, training agencies, and ambulance/rescue squads seeking reimbursement for EMT certification or recertification costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1666) amends New Jersey law to allow people with certain past criminal convictions to serve on juries, removing an automatic disqualification. It directly affects individuals convicted of most serious crimes (indictable offenses) in New Jersey, other states, or federal court, provided they do not have a conviction for murder or aggravated sexual assault. The key change eliminates the automatic bar for these past convictions, though current incarceration for any serious offense still disqualifies someone. The bill maintains existing exceptions for murder (N.J.S.2C:11-3) and aggravated sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2), and does not apply to those currently serving prison sentences.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain rooming and boarding houses, as well as cooperative sober living residences, to comply with municipal land use regulations like zoning rules. It specifically mandates that applicants for a state Class F license to operate a cooperative sober living residence must submit written approvals from local zoning, fire, health, and building authorities with their license application. Currently, these facilities were exempt from municipal land use regulations (though subject to construction codes), but this bill removes that exemption for land use. The change directly affects owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey, requiring new paperwork for state licensing. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.