Asm. Craig Coughlin

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to require public agencies to redact email addresses from records released to the public. It directly affects anyone requesting government records, as email addresses will now be treated as confidential information - similar to social security numbers or driver's license details. The key provision adds "e-mail address" explicitly to the list of data that must be removed from public records under OPRA. This change applies to all public records maintained by state and local government entities. The bill does not alter other confidentiality rules or create new exemptions beyond email addresses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of seasonal rental properties (short-term rentals under 125 days) to clearly state in all advertisements whether pets are permitted. If they fail to disclose this, renters can cancel their agreement within 12 hours of moving in and receive a full refund of any payments. Online rental platforms and real estate agents acting as the owner’s representatives are not held liable for the owner’s failure to provide this notice. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows a surviving family member or estate representative to terminate a motor vehicle lease immediately upon the leaseholder's death, without requiring them to buy the vehicle or continue the lease. It prohibits dealers or lessors from charging any fee for this early termination (though reasonable fees for excessive wear/mileage specified in the lease are permitted). Dealers must disclose this termination right in the lease agreement, and failure to do so incurs a $500 penalty. The law applies to personal vehicle leases signed after enactment and does not affect commercial vehicles or surviving co-lessees who signed the lease.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1972) would gradually expand family leave protections by lowering the employee threshold for businesses to be covered under the law. Currently, businesses with 30+ employees must comply; the bill phases this down to 20 employees (after 365 days), then 10 employees (after 730 days), and finally to 5 or more employees (after 1,095 days). It directly affects small businesses (5-30 employees) by requiring them to provide job-protected family leave for eligible employees. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn because it was superseded by another law (P.L.2025, c.279) that already implemented similar changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3861) adds State-owned, municipally-managed "Blue Acres" land as a permitted option for developers to compensate for freshwater wetland loss caused by construction projects. It allows wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration on Blue Acres land (property acquired by the State for recreation/conservation, often flood-prone or buffer land managed by municipalities) if both the State and the municipality grant permission. Currently, developers can use private land or contribute to a Wetlands Mitigation Bank when on-site wetland restoration isn't feasible; this bill creates a fourth option using Blue Acres land. The change directly affects developers seeking wetland mitigation, municipalities managing Blue Acres properties, and the Department of Environmental Protection overseeing permit approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Treasury and Department of Human Services to annually identify unspent state funds available for NJ FamilyCare, evaluate care quality for beneficiaries, and create a prioritized list of the 12 most urgent improvements needed to address deficiencies. It directly affects low-income residents enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (which covers Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program services) by mandating state agencies to report findings to the Governor and Legislature each year. The key mechanism involves compiling a list of specific policy changes or legislative actions requiring state funding to fix quality-of-care issues, alongside the estimated costs for each initiative. The report must include all available unallocated funds for the current fiscal year to support these improvements. This annual process aims to improve program oversight without changing eligibility or funding levels.

Maddy summaryAJR 115 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by New Jersey's legislature to formally condemn all hate, bias, and hate crimes. It specifically rejects hatred based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics, urging the state to continue existing efforts to support victims and prevent such crimes. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to combating hate through current initiatives like the Bias Crime Unit and victim support programs. It directly affects all New Jersey residents by expressing the state's official stance against hate crimes and promoting inclusivity.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 1) organizes New Jersey's General Assembly for the 222nd Legislature and updates committee rules. It names Craig J. Coughlin as Speaker, Annette Quijano as Speaker pro tempore, and Dana M. Burley as Clerk, while amending Assembly Rule 10:1 to adjust committee membership sizes (e.g., increasing Appropriations Committee members from 11 to 15). The resolution establishes procedural rules for staff management, meeting schedules, and bill drafting, directly affecting Assembly leadership and committee operations for the new session. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy but formalizes the Assembly's structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to create a low-cost financial advisory program for state employees enrolled in the state's deferred compensation plan (a retirement savings program). The program would provide individualized advice on investments, retirement income planning, and alternatives to the plan's offerings. The Treasury must contract with a vendor that acts in participants' best interests (with no commissions), charges fees based on participants' account balances (capped to keep costs reasonable), and avoids conflicts of interest. The program would initially serve current plan participants, with potential future expansion to all eligible state employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases in smaller employer coverage under New Jersey's family leave law by reducing the employee threshold from 30 to 5 employees over two years. Starting immediately, employers with 20+ employees must follow the law; one year later, the threshold drops to 10 employees; and after two years, all employers with 5+ employees must provide reinstatement rights after family leave. It directly affects workers at small businesses (5-20 employees) who previously had no legal right to return to their jobs after taking family leave. The law ensures these employees cannot be retaliated against for taking leave, aligning small business coverage with existing protections for larger employers.