Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Military and Veterans Affairs Oversight Board within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The board oversees all state programs, benefits, and services for military members, veterans, and their families, requiring state agencies to appoint liaisons who submit biannual reports on these services and budgets. The board analyzes program effectiveness across key areas like healthcare, housing, and employment, then develops strategic recommendations for the Governor and Legislature to improve veteran support. Annual reports detailing findings and suggestions must be posted online and submitted to state leadership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a separate disorderly persons offense for individuals who wear masks to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense in a public place with other masked people. It specifically prohibits this behavior unless the mask-wearing falls under key exceptions, such as for Halloween celebrations, religious head coverings, weather protection, or medical reasons. Violating this provision is punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and the conviction cannot be merged with the underlying crime for sentencing purposes. The law applies only when someone is already charged with another offense under New Jersey's criminal code.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3004) restricts how genetic testing can be conducted on DNA samples from newborns and crime victims. It requires informed consent for most genetic testing, but explicitly permits law enforcement to use crime victim/witness DNA *only* to identify the suspect in the specific investigation where the sample was collected - preventing its use to identify family members. For newborns, it limits DNA testing to authorized newborn screening programs for health conditions. The bill also requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant or court order to access DNA information, strengthening privacy protections for individuals.

Maddy summaryBill A2100 creates a presumption that public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and developed illnesses covered by the CDC’s World Trade Center Health Program are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. It removes time limits for filing claims and requires documentation from the CDC program to prove eligibility. Benefits cannot duplicate existing state or federal compensation for the same condition. This applies only to workers currently enrolled in the CDC’s WTC Health Program, not to all 9/11 responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires longer prison sentences for individuals convicted twice before of receiving stolen property. It applies specifically to people with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime, regardless of when they occurred. The prosecutor must request an extended sentence if the current offense happened within 10 years of either the defendant's last release from prison or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing before imposing this sentence, allowing the defendant to challenge the evidence. This changes sentencing by mandating extended terms for repeat offenders of this specific property crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises financing rules for school facilities projects in New Jersey's non-SDA school districts (regular operating districts). It modifies two key provisions: for projects built via county improvement authorities, it removes requirements for nominal leases to districts and mandates lease payments to cover all debt service after state aid is applied; for bonds issued without voter approval, it ensures municipal payments (in lieu of taxes) cover only the debt portion not supported by state aid, while confirming such bonds remain eligible for state debt service aid. These changes provide more flexibility in financing while maintaining state aid's role in covering costs. The bill directly affects school districts and municipalities managing school facility funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's lead-based paint hazard inspection requirements for residential rental properties. It mandates that municipalities inspect rental units and common areas at tenant turnover or every three years (whichever is earlier), with properties having valid lead-safe certifications (now valid for three years instead of two) exempt from frequent inspections. Landlords must provide lead-safe certification to new tenants and maintain records, while municipalities must report lead hazard findings to the Department of Community Affairs, which will provide annual reports to the legislature. The bill also repeals a provision requiring the Department of Community Affairs to inspect properties as part of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's law prohibiting feeding black bears by replacing the previous "unintentional feeding" exemption with specific, allowed activities. It permits certain actions without penalty, including agricultural operations (with food stored properly), bird feeders maintained under strict conditions (e.g., 10-foot height, nightly emptying), animal shelters feeding pets (with uneaten food removed nightly), and government wildlife management. The law also changes where civil penalties for violations go, directing collected fines to the local municipality instead of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. It directly affects residents, farmers, and pet owners in bear-prone areas by clarifying permitted feeding practices.

Maddy summaryS 1017 (now P.L.2024, c.59) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to notify sexual assault victims about key developments in their criminal cases, specifically regarding DNA evidence. Victims have the right to be informed whether DNA from the assault was collected, entered into forensic databases, or matched to a suspect’s DNA (with exceptions if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation). Victims can request written or email updates about evidence processing status, and agencies must provide this information in a timely manner upon request. This law directly affects sexual assault victims in New Jersey by ensuring they receive specific, actionable updates about their case evidence under the state’s crime victim rights framework.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's "Design Professional Self-Certification Act" (A4360, now law as P.L.2024, c.58) creates a program allowing licensed architects and professional engineers to self-certify that certain construction projects comply with building codes. It directly affects qualified design professionals who can now submit construction permit applications with self-certification forms for eligible projects (like renovations under specific size limits for residential or commercial buildings), bypassing full code reviews by local agencies. Local building departments must then conduct a simple "supervisory check" to confirm all required documents are present and issue permits - same as before - within 1-5 days. This applies only to projects not excluded (e.g., structural alterations requiring special inspections, new kitchens, or electrical upgrades over 400 amps), with the Department of Community Affairs setting qualification rules.