Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession, sale, manufacture, transportation, and disposal of machine gun conversion devices, defined as any device (made of plastic, metal, or combined parts) designed to modify semiautomatic firearms to fire multiple shots with a single trigger pull. It establishes a third-degree crime for possessing such devices, punishable by 3-5 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both, and makes it a separate crime to manufacture or distribute these devices. The bill clarifies that firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices are considered machine guns under existing law, and possession penalties must run consecutively with penalties for possessing machine guns or assault firearms. This legislation implements a recommendation from the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation's September 2024 report on illegal firearms use.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey courts to extend the standard 48-hour deadline for making pretrial release decisions in cases where defendants are charged with crimes involving the use or possession of a firearm. The extension is limited to the time reasonably needed to complete a firearms analysis and share the results with the court. It applies only to firearm-related cases and does not change the 48-hour timeline for other offenses. This adjustment aims to give courts more time to assess public safety risks before releasing defendants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4525) requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to provide written notice of toll violations to vehicle owners before charging administrative fees. The notice must be sent within 60 days of the violation and include details about the violation (date, time, location) and a 30-day window to pay the toll and avoid fees. Authorities cannot issue or collect administrative fees unless they've provided this notice and the 30-day remedy period has expired. The bill also clarifies that rental vehicle lessors can avoid liability by submitting lease documentation to the authorities.

Maddy summaryBill A4957 clarifies that the "Fair Chance in Housing Act" does not apply to county and municipal governments that directly rent residential units to tenants. It amends the Act's definition of "housing provider" to explicitly exclude county and municipal landlords from its requirements. This change resolves ongoing disputes about whether the law's rules - prohibiting housing providers from considering criminal records during tenant screening - apply to government-owned rental properties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4931 requires all members of local or regional school board of education to maintain a principal residence within their school district and spend at least 292 days there annually. The bill defines "principal residence" as a permanent home, excluding vacation properties or rental holdings, and states that board membership automatically ends if this requirement is not met. Exceptions apply if a member's primary residence is damaged by disaster, requiring temporary relocation. This amends existing law (N.J.S.18A:12-1 and N.J.S.18A:12-3) to add the 292-day residency requirement, replacing the previous standard of merely being a district resident.

Maddy summaryBilly Cray's Law (A1364) requires group homes and supervised apartments for individuals with developmental disabilities to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas when residents request them, with consent from all roommates. The law makes monitoring noncompulsory, requires licensees to provide written notice of residents' rights, bear all installation and maintenance costs, and post visible notices when devices are installed. Licensees must ensure reasonable accommodations for monitoring requests and provide access to recordings for residents and authorized representatives. The law aims to improve safety and care quality by enabling residents to monitor treatment conditions, with penalties including $5,000 fines for first-time noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4914) requires New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to create rules allowing individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from cannabis dispensaries. It directly affects cannabis consumers who wish to restrict their own access and all licensed cannabis retailers. Key provisions mandate the Commission to establish procedures for adding/removing names from the self-exclusion list, sharing the list with retailers, and requiring retailers to deny entry and stop marketing to excluded individuals. The self-exclusion list itself is exempt from public disclosure, ensuring privacy for those who choose this option.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education to study and recommend improvements to financial transparency, accountability, and oversight of New Jersey's public colleges and universities. The commission includes the Secretary of Higher Education (ex officio), college presidents, faculty, student representatives, and a fiscal management expert, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. It must complete its work within 180 days of organizing and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature, after which the commission expires. The bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey by requiring them to be evaluated for improvements in how they disclose costs, manage finances, and ensure student protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's legal terminology by replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) throughout state statutes. The change affects multiple sections of law including those related to crimes, sex offender registration, employment disqualifications, and educational programs. The purpose is to use more accurate language that reflects the reality of these crimes and avoids implying consent from victims. The sponsor states this terminology update is not intended to change the substance of the law, but to make the language more consistent with current understanding and international standards. The bill corrects technical inconsistencies in existing statutes while maintaining the same legal protections and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to award academic credit to students who earn a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or 50 or higher on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) assessments. It directly affects high school students who take these exams before enrolling in college and public institutions of higher education. The law mandates that institutions post their credit policies online, report policies to the Higher Education Secretary, and allow limited exemptions for specific courses if institutions provide data showing different score requirements are necessary for student success. Students must be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and have completed the exams while in high school (grades 9-12) to qualify.