Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media platforms with at least five million global users to cooperate with designated nonprofit organizations (like StopNCII.org and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Take It Down initiative) to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. It mandates that platforms establish procedures for nonprofits to flag and request removal of such content - including AI-generated deceptive media - and requires immediate takedown of flagged material pending review. The law defines "nonconsensual" broadly, covering cases where victims didn’t consent, minors were involved, or deceptive media misrepresented individuals. Social media companies violating the law face fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects platforms serving New Jersey users and protects individuals targeted by nonconsensual sharing of intimate content.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits real estate sellers and their agents in New Jersey from using photos in advertisements that have been created or edited with generative artificial intelligence or other software intended to fundamentally alter an image. It requires all property photos to reflect the actual current state of the dwelling and be no older than five years. Sellers may still use AI or editing tools to add furniture or non-fixed items, provided they disclose the use of such technology in advertisements and provide original unaltered images upon request. Violations of these rules could result in civil penalties of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts creditors from paying municipal property registration fees when a property is under federal bankruptcy protection (automatic stay). It modifies New Jersey's existing foreclosure registration rules to remove fee requirements during bankruptcy proceedings. Creditors must still register properties in foreclosure as required, but the fee obligation is lifted if bankruptcy protection applies. The change directly affects banks and mortgage lenders handling foreclosures that enter bankruptcy. This policy adjustment aligns state fee obligations with federal bankruptcy protections.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3997) prohibits landlords from including class action waivers in rental agreements for claims related to rent control law violations. If passed, such waivers would be void, making it illegal for landlords to prevent tenants from joining class-action lawsuits over rent control issues. Landlords violating this would face a $1,000 penalty per affected unit and could be liable for tenant damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law would apply immediately to all current and future rental agreements, including past rent control violations.

Maddy summaryThe Hotel Franchisee Fairness and Market Access Act aims to protect hotel operators in New Jersey from restrictive practices imposed by brand owners. It requires franchisors to stop forcing franchisees to buy unrelated goods, ensures they receive full rebates from vendors, and mandates compensation for guests who use loyalty points. The bill also prevents brand owners from opening competing hotels in a franchisee's exclusive area without consent and restricts unilateral changes to contracts unless they involve health or safety. These rules are designed to increase transparency and fairness in franchise agreements while preserving essential brand standards.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires chatbots powered by generative artificial intelligence to clearly disclose when they are providing election-related information or candidate details to voters. The law applies to any AI system that generates text, audio, video, or print content about topics such as voter eligibility, polling locations, ballot procedures, or candidate qualifications. Operators of these chatbots must include a permanent or difficult-to-remove disclosure before presenting any content, and failure to comply could result in fines of up to $6,000 for the first violation and $12,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Clean Energy Equity within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to oversee clean energy programs specifically for overburdened communities. It mandates the establishment of onsite or community solar projects benefiting low-income households and requires the installation of energy storage systems in public facilities and low-income areas to improve grid resilience. The legislation also directs a minimum of 10 percent of the board's annual clean energy budget to this office, while requiring the integration of workforce training and community outreach into all related programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the percentage of the federal earned income tax credit that New Jersey residents receive, raising the state match to 45% for tax years starting in 2026. It also expands eligibility by allowing adults aged 18 and older who are ineligible for the federal credit due to age requirements to still qualify for the state program. Additionally, the legislation permits married individuals who are victims of domestic abuse to file separately while still receiving the credit, removing the usual requirement to file jointly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires commercial driver license applicants and renewers in New Jersey to complete human trafficking awareness training. It also mandates one-time human trafficking awareness training for hotel and motel staff and healthcare facility employees, with completion tied to license or permit renewal. The training materials will be provided by state departments in consultation with the Commission on Human Trafficking, and the courses must be reviewed every two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the 3-year time limit for New Jersey tax authorities to reassess income tax when a taxpayer received an erroneous refund due to intentional fraud. It directly affects taxpayers who intentionally filed false returns to obtain extra money back from the state. The key change removes the previous 3-year deadline, allowing tax assessments at any time for cases where fraud caused the refund. This applies only to deliberate fraud, excluding accidental errors, negligence, or reliance on incorrect advice. The law retroactively covers cases from the five years before the bill's enactment.