Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. It would impose a per-kilowatt-hour charge on all electricity consumption in the state, added to utility bills for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The collected funds would finance projects like flood-resistant infrastructure, coastal protection, and other climate resilience initiatives. The program aims to address climate impacts through targeted infrastructure investments, funded directly by electricity users.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's school funding formulas and creates a Special Education Funding Review Task Force. It requires the education commissioner to notify school districts annually about funding amounts, including per-pupil costs, special education aid, and geographic adjustments, based on the state's Educational Adequacy Report. The bill clarifies how districts calculate their required local tax levies and adjusts special education funding when actual aid differs from initial projections. It directly affects all New Jersey public school districts by changing how state aid is calculated and distributed. The Special Education Funding Review Task Force will be established to examine funding mechanisms for students with disabilities.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey would join a multistate agreement (the Cosmetology Licensure Compact) allowing cosmetologists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed cosmetologists, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate frequently. The compact establishes a single multistate license valid across all participating states, reducing paperwork and enabling easier mobility while maintaining public safety standards through shared licensing records and disciplinary information. It aims to streamline regulation, address workforce shortages, and ensure consistent service quality without requiring cosmetologists to re-apply for licenses in each new state they move to.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead companion animals. It mandates that veterinarians give owners a standard notification form detailing testing reasons, body handling protocols, and disposal rules (including that heads may not be returned after testing), along with a pamphlet explaining rabies vaccines and testing procedures. The pamphlet must be provided to owners when a rabies vaccine is administered, and veterinarians must display a related poster in their offices. The law applies to pet owners and veterinarians, with penalties for non-compliance, while also establishing optional mental health training for veterinary staff.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-3995) establishes standards to determine if rent increases for residential properties are "unconscionable" (extremely unfair). It directly affects landlords and tenants by requiring courts to consider factors like landlord expenses, comparable rents in the area, tenant bargaining power, and property condition when reviewing hikes. Key provisions include shifting the burden of proof to landlords to justify increases, mandating transparency (e.g., proper registration), and giving tenants 10 days to request written justification for proposed increases. If a court finds an increase unconscionable, tenants can recover treble damages, a $2,000 penalty, and attorney fees. The bill excludes rent-controlled properties and those under affordable housing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" in New Jersey to address mental health support for public school students. The task force, composed of education and health officials plus appointed community experts, will study existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations on improving access to services, identifying student mental health needs, expanding counseling programs, and funding requirements, while examining successful models from other states. The task force must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, with copies sent to all school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3400) requires public employers in New Jersey to negotiate minimum staffing levels for firefighters and fire officers as part of collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, it mandates that the "minimum number of sworn firefighters and fire officers assigned to each fire apparatus" must be included in terms and conditions of employment, provided staffing levels are rationally related to safety. The bill applies directly to fire departments and their public employers during labor negotiations. It does not set specific staffing numbers but ensures this factor is formally addressed in bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state employees (including those at Rutgers and public universities) to be granted one additional paid leave day per year for observing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, beyond their standard administrative leave. It also mandates that public school districts record absences for these holidays as excused, ensuring students aren’t penalized for missing class due to religious observance. The policy prevents such absences from appearing on transcripts or affecting eligibility for awards, tests, or graduation requirements when a parent’s written excuse is provided. It explicitly adds Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the list of religious holidays for which student absences must be excused. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives consumers the right to cancel certain home improvement contracts (over $500) within 3 business days, or up to 5 days if aged 60+ or with an intellectual disability. For consumer goods contracts over $500, seniors and individuals with intellectual disabilities may cancel within 3 business days. Contractors must include a clear cancellation notice in contracts and refund all payments within 30 days of cancellation. The law applies to home remodeling and similar goods but excludes real estate transactions.