Asm. Sterley Stanley

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand privileges for craft alcoholic beverage manufacturers (including those with limited brewery, cidery, meadery, and craft distillery licenses) by allowing them to hold up to 25 off-premises special events annually, unlimited on-premises special events and private parties, and serve alcohol tableside with certified staff. It removes the current requirement that these manufacturers must offer tours to serve alcohol on-premises, and increases the annual production limit for restricted brewery licenses from 10,000 to 300,000 barrels. The bill also permits these manufacturers to offer limited food items, coordinate with food vendors (with restrictions), and show televised events without special permits. Additionally, it allows for outdoor consumption with approved tap systems and provides flexibility for promotional discounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJ EITC) by gradually raising the state match rate from 40% to 45% over five years, resulting in larger tax refunds for eligible low-income residents. It expands eligibility to include taxpayers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) who qualify for the federal credit but lack Social Security numbers, and exempts married victims of domestic abuse from the joint filing requirement if they meet specific criteria (living apart from their spouse, experiencing abuse within three years, and filing separately). These changes directly affect New Jersey workers and families earning low wages, particularly those previously ineligible due to documentation barriers or domestic violence circumstances. The bill ensures more residents can access this refundable tax credit without requiring joint federal filing in cases of abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A942) changes how New Jersey calculates the local share of funding for public schools. It requires school districts to use a five-year average of their equalized property valuation (instead of just the previous year's value) when determining their local contribution to the state school funding formula. This change, effective for the 2024-2025 school year, aims to stabilize funding by smoothing out annual fluctuations in property values across districts. It directly affects all New Jersey public school districts in their state aid calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mail-in ballot messengers and bearers from accepting any form of payment - including cash, goods, services, or property - for their services. It also bans anyone from offering or providing such payment to them. The law applies to individuals who deliver blank ballots to voters (messengers) or return completed ballots to election offices (bearers), as defined under existing mail-in voting rules. This amendment to New Jersey’s election law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice, video, and electronic mail services to incarcerated individuals, eliminating all fees for calls or messages. It prohibits facilities from charging per-minute rates, setup fees, or any other charges to incarcerated persons or their families, and mandates that services must be provided at no cost to any party. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover implementation costs, ensuring facilities can provide these services without financial burden. As a result, incarcerated individuals and their families will no longer face costs previously associated with communication, such as domestic call fees up to 11 cents per minute.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking to create a report addressing human trafficking prevention during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be partially hosted in New Jersey. The commission must evaluate current anti-trafficking laws, review assistance programs, and develop public awareness strategies - including mandatory signs with the national trafficking hotline - to be displayed by businesses already required to post such notices. The report, due within 180 days of enactment, must include recommendations for expanded hotlines, law changes, public service announcements, and coordinated responses by law enforcement and community organizations. It directly affects the Commission, state agencies, businesses displaying anti-trafficking signs, and the public through awareness efforts. The Attorney General must also issue guidelines for law enforcement to address trafficking risks during the event.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a misdemeanor to send unsolicited naked photos or videos via electronic means without the recipient's consent. It specifically targets individuals who knowingly transmit such material to people who did not request it or give explicit permission. If the sender knows the recipient is a child under 13 or someone with a mental condition unable to understand the sexual nature of the image, it becomes a more serious offense punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law directly affects anyone who sends unsolicited sexually explicit images electronically, with stricter penalties when vulnerable recipients are involved.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to pay providers the same rate for certain primary and mental health services as the federal Medicare program, starting July 1, 2023. It applies to services provided by physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or OB/GYN; advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, midwives; and mental health professionals like psychologists and licensed counselors. The law prevents Medicaid reimbursement rates from decreasing below prior year levels and covers both fee-for-service and managed care systems. It also mandates a report within one year on how these rate changes affect access and quality of care for Medicaid beneficiaries, including recommendations for underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain restraining orders. It specifically applies when a defendant has two or more restraining orders against them, and the defendant must pay for the assessment. The assessment, conducted by qualified professionals like psychologists or social workers, aims to determine the likelihood of future violence. The court must consider the assessment findings along with other factors when deciding whether to dissolve a restraining order. The assessment results would be kept confidential and would not be shared with the victim.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a database of "novice teachers" (new educators with eligibility certificates but no provisional certification) and host three annual regional job fairs. The database will include contact details, employment status, and teaching credentials for school districts to recruit, with teachers able to opt out or limit contact information. Job fairs will connect school districts with novice teachers, educator program students, and certified professionals, with districts paying only nominal fees to cover venue and administrative costs. The database and job fairs aim to help school districts fill staffing vacancies more efficiently.