Asm. Don Guardian

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to maintain naloxone nasal spray in residence halls for opioid overdose emergencies and permits licensed campus medical staff and trained resident assistants to administer it in emergencies. Institutions must store naloxone securely but accessibly, develop policies for its use (including mandatory hospital transport after administration), and ensure staff receive required training on overdose response. The law provides liability protection for good-faith actions by medical professionals, resident assistants, and pharmacists following its provisions. It directly affects campus health protocols, student safety, and institutional emergency response procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a $250 annual property tax deduction for New Jersey law enforcement officers who have a permanent disability resulting from their job. It would apply to the primary residence (including cooperative or mutual housing) of eligible officers and extend to their surviving spouses who are 65 or older, unmarried, and living in the same home. The deduction requires the Legislature to define "law enforcement officer" and specifies the disability must be work-related but does not need to be total. The amendment must be approved by voters before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to use up to 30% of their existing development fee trust funds - collected from residential construction projects - to provide down payment assistance grants for first-time homebuying veterans. Each veteran can receive a grant of up to $15,000, and these grants are excluded from income calculations for other state benefits or taxes. The program is part of a municipality's broader affordable housing initiatives, which already support low- and moderate-income households through similar assistance programs. Municipalities must follow state-administered rules when allocating these funds for veteran-specific down payment help.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3088) amends New Jersey's Megan's Law to require county prosecutors to assess a sex offender's risk of re-offending *before* their release from prison, rather than after release as currently occurs. It specifies factors prosecutors must consider, including criminal history, treatment response, recent behavior, and psychological profiles, to assign one of three risk levels (low, moderate, or high). The risk level determines notification requirements: low risk triggers law enforcement notification, moderate risk adds community organizations (like schools), and high risk includes public notification. This change directly affects prosecutors, sex offenders nearing release, and communities where offenders will reside. The bill removes the current requirement to consider an offender's residence when determining risk, enabling assessments before release.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey horse racetracks (both thoroughbred and harness) to partner with Atlantic City casinos or their internet gaming affiliates. Under the bill, racetracks can host internet casino wagering locations after obtaining approval from the Division of Gaming Enforcement, which will set equipment and location standards. The racetracks will be compensated by the casinos for this service, and internet gaming from racetracks will be regulated by the Division of Gaming Enforcement - not the New Jersey Racing Commission. Existing internet gaming laws will apply, except where this bill creates specific exceptions for racetrack locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A182) stops New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring children under 16 to obtain a horseback riding permit or pay the $2.00 nonrefundable fee when riding in state wildlife management areas. It directly affects minors under 16 who participate in horseback riding within these designated areas. The key provision removes both the permit requirement and the associated fee for this age group, effective immediately. The DEP may still create implementing rules under existing law, but the bill specifically exempts children under 16 from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health practitioners in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete four hours of approved training as a condition of licensure, while currently licensed practitioners must complete four hours within one year of the bill's effective date and every six years thereafter. The training must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings, and must be approved by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Practitioners must submit proof of completion to their respective licensing boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1111) requires commercial trucks over 26,000 pounds gross weight to have GPS systems that provide real-time alerts about low-clearance bridges and weight restrictions, plus route directions adjusted for the vehicle's specific height and weight. It directly affects most commercial freight haulers operating in New Jersey, excluding government vehicles, school buses, and religious/charitable transportation. The GPS must display infrastructure warnings and dynamically reroute based on the truck's size when entered by the driver. The Motor Vehicle Commission will create implementation rules, with the law taking effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's license plate requirement from two plates (front and rear) to a single plate displayed only on the rear of most vehicles. It directly affects all New Jersey vehicle owners currently required to display two plates, including car and motorcycle owners. The key provision requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue only one plate per vehicle starting after the bill's effective date, and allows existing owners with two plates to return one to the MVC. The change simplifies plate display while maintaining visibility requirements for all vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Disability Savings Act (A115) creates a state tax deduction for contributions to New Jersey ABLE accounts (disability savings accounts) and offers a one-time $750 matching grant for new accounts opened by residents with gross income of $150,000 or less. It directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities or their families who use these accounts for qualifying disability-related expenses like housing, education, or medical costs. The bill allows a full state tax deduction on contributions (similar to NJ’s 529 education savings plan) and provides the matching grant as an incentive to save, though funding for the grant depends on annual state appropriations. The deduction and grant apply only to New Jersey ABLE accounts, not accounts from other states.