Asm. Don Guardian

Maddy summaryThis bill requires annual baseline concussion testing for all student-athletes and cheerleaders in grades six through twelve participating in school sports programs. The testing, conducted before each athletic season by a school physician or athletic trainer, assesses pre-symptomatic brain function to help diagnose concussions. School districts must update their concussion policies to include this testing, and physicians must consider baseline results when clearing students to return to play after a head injury. The law also updates training requirements for athletic trainers to include baseline testing protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt volunteer emergency service organizations in New Jersey from paying registration filing fees under the state's Charitable Registration and Investigation Act. It specifically applies to non-profit organizations providing emergency medical care, rescue services, patient transport, or fire protection, including part-paid fire departments and fire districts. Currently, charitable organizations raising $25,000 or less must pay a $30 fee for short form registration, while those raising more must pay higher fees for long form registration. The exemption would apply regardless of an organization's revenue amount, removing these administrative costs for these volunteer groups. This change would reduce the financial burden on these organizations that serve critical community safety needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers to have a digital photograph updated every eight years. The photo must be stored in the officer's personnel file and appear on their identification card if the agency uses photo ID. The Attorney General, working with the State Police Superintendent, will create guidelines to implement this requirement. It applies to all permanent full-time officers in state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the feasibility, costs, and marketability of implementing large-scale geothermal heat pump systems statewide. The study requires the BPU to assess installation challenges, compare geothermal energy costs with natural gas/propane/fuel oil in buildings, evaluate potential financial incentives, and consult with experts, other states (like Massachusetts and New York), and utilities. It mandates the BPU to report findings and recommend a pilot program within one year. The study directly affects the BPU and will inform future decisions about incentives for builders, ratepayers, and government entities considering geothermal systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nine-member "Business Tax and Incentive Task Force" to study New Jersey's tax policies compared to other states. The task force will evaluate how state tax incentives and rates affect business growth, job creation, and investment, comparing New Jersey's approach to other states' systems. It must issue a final report with recommendations within 180 days of forming, focusing on whether tax incentives effectively boost economic growth versus other strategies like tax rate reductions. The task force includes appointments from the Governor, legislature, and business groups like the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use or provision of software, devices, or technology designed to bypass security measures on online ticket websites. It directly affects individuals and businesses that employ tools like bots to circumvent systems intended to ensure fair ticket sales for the public. The law applies to any "online ticket issuer" (including venues, sports teams, and theaters) and bans actions that undermine equitable ticket purchasing processes. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime, with potential penalties of up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a presumption of pretrial detention for individuals charged with reckless vehicular homicide (when driving under the influence) or strict liability vehicular homicide (driving while intoxicated). It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific vehicular homicide offenses, requiring courts to detain them pretrial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably assure their appearance in court and community safety. The bill amends New Jersey law to extend the existing pretrial detention presumption, which currently applies to murder and life imprisonment offenses, to these vehicular homicide cases. It also includes provisions for vehicle forfeiture (unless hardship is proven) and allows courts to suspend or revoke drivers' licenses in these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to include volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders as eligible employees under the state's small employer health benefits plan program. Currently, municipal volunteers who qualify for benefits under N.J.S.40A:10-26 through N.J.S.40A:10-32 cannot be included in municipal small employer health plans. The bill specifically revises the definition of "eligible employee" to explicitly include members of volunteer fire companies and emergency response squads serving throughout a municipality. This change allows municipalities to offer the same health benefits coverage to these volunteers as they would to paid municipal employees under the small employer health benefits program. The policy change resolves a conflict between existing municipal benefits laws and the small employer health plan statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to knowingly and actively participate in a criminal street gang while helping members commit specific violent offenses like robbery, assault, arson, or kidnapping. It defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people linked by indicators (e.g., tattoos, clothing, or prior gang-related crimes within five years) and requiring prior commission of listed offenses. Violators face up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law applies directly to individuals actively involved in gang activities that promote or assist in these crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey couples to obtain marriage or civil union licenses and hold their ceremonies via live video conferencing instead of requiring in-person meetings. To comply, participants must maintain live interaction during the video session, present valid photo ID, and digitally sign documents that are transmitted sequentially to all required signatories. The law updates existing statutes (R.S. 37:1-8 and R.S. 37:1-17) to allow remote processing while requiring verification of identity and statutory compliance. It applies to all couples seeking marriage licenses or civil unions through New Jersey’s official licensing system.