Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large supermarkets and grocery stores (over 16,000 square feet with 90% food space) and food suppliers to make a reasonable effort to donate edible food that would otherwise be discarded. It mandates donations to food banks, nonprofits, or individuals, not for profit but to cover minimal handling costs. The law applies to food still safe for consumption but not sold due to normal business operations, such as unsold perishables. It defines "donate" as free or minimal-cost transfers and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of ammunition through vending machines that dispense ammunition directly to consumers after payment. It defines a "vending machine" as any device accepting payment and dispensing items, making it illegal for vendors to sell ammunition this way. Violating this law is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects vending machine operators and anyone purchasing ammunition through such machines.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates the 5-year statute of limitations for the state to collect income tax from taxpayers who received an erroneous refund due to a fraudulent return. Under the new law, the Division of Taxation can assess additional tax at any time if the refund resulted from a false or fraudulent return filed with intent to evade tax - aligning this treatment with the existing rule for fraudulent returns (which already has no time limit). The bill explicitly excludes cases of negligence, honest mistakes, or reliance on incorrect advice, focusing only on intentional fraud. It applies retroactively to assessments made within the 5 years preceding its enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 48 designates the third Sunday of November each year as "World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert J. Karabinchak, recognizes the impact of traffic fatalities (697 in 2021, the highest in 14 years) and honors victims, families, and emergency responders. It requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through activities and programs. The bill has no regulatory or funding provisions; it is a ceremonial designation to raise awareness about traffic safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new burglary offenses in New Jersey: "home invasion burglary" (a second-degree crime) and "residential burglary" (a third-degree crime). Home invasion burglary occurs when someone enters a residence without permission and either inflicts bodily injury, threatens injury, or is armed with a weapon or explosives, while residential burglary simply involves entering or remaining in a residence without permission. Offenders convicted of home invasion burglary would face mandatory 85% sentence terms without parole (subject to the No Early Release Act), while residential burglary carries a lesser penalty of 3-5 years imprisonment. The bill also allows juveniles to be waived to adult court for burglary offenses involving firearms and clarifies definitions related to residential dwellings and burglary. These changes would directly affect individuals committing burglaries in residential properties and the criminal justice system's handling of such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. If bodily injury occurs, assaulting a law enforcement officer would become a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison) rather than third-degree under current law. The bill also requires offenders to submit to testing for communicable diseases when assaulting these professionals, with positive results shared with the victim. It expands the list of protected professionals to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel under the assault with bodily fluids provision. These changes would apply to offenses occurring after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows insurers to deliver notices and documents about portable electronics insurance (covering repairs or replacements for devices like phones or laptops) via email instead of mail. It directly affects insurance companies, retailers selling this coverage, and consumers enrolled in such policies. The key requirement is that insurers must switch to physical mail if they cannot confirm email delivery or if an enrolled consumer's email address becomes invalid. Insurers must still provide required notices (like policy changes or terminations) at least 30 days in advance, using either email or physical mail as specified.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1884) makes spreading false health information a form of professional misconduct for licensed health care professionals in New Jersey, subjecting them to disciplinary action by their licensing boards. It defines "misinformation" as false health claims contradicting current scientific consensus and "disinformation" as deliberately misleading health claims. Licensing boards must establish rules for identifying such misconduct and determining appropriate penalties, which could include license suspension or revocation. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.