Asm. Nancy Muñoz

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires State employers and contracted service providers to conduct comprehensive background checks for all employees in positions involving regular contact with children. It mandates applicants disclose any history of child abuse or sexual misconduct investigations, and requires criminal history checks for specific offenses like child molestation, sexual assault, and abuse. Employees or applicants with substantiated child abuse convictions or certain criminal histories would be permanently disqualified from these positions, though rehabilitation evidence may allow exceptions for other offenses. The policy aims to prevent individuals with relevant histories from working with children in State-related positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to update their anti-bullying policies to include two key changes: (1) principals must make a preliminary determination about whether an incident qualifies as bullying before starting an investigation, and (2) hold separate meetings with parents of all involved students within seven days of reporting the incident. It also extends the investigation timeline from 10 to 30 school days after a written report is received. These changes directly affect school principals, parents, and students involved in alleged bullying incidents. The policy amendments aim to ensure thorough initial assessments and provide time for parental input before formal investigations begin.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, as well as free admission to New Jersey State parks and forests, for specific military-affiliated individuals. It directly affects active-duty service members (regardless of residency if stationed in NJ), members of NJ National Guard units, organized reserve members stationed in NJ, disabled veterans, and retired NJ National Guard members. The bill expands current law by adding free park access for disabled veterans (previously only covered for licenses) and removes residency requirements for active-duty personnel. It amends existing statutes to implement these benefits through statutory updates to license fees and park admission rules.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires certain local government construction projects to use either a design-bid-build or design-build delivery system. It applies to county improvement authorities and public redevelopment projects. Under design-bid-build, a licensed design professional creates the complete project plan before bids are solicited and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Under design-build, a single entity provides both design and construction services under one contract. The bill specifies that design-bid-build projects must follow the Local Public Contracts Law, while design-build projects must follow the Design Build Construction Services Procurement Act.

Maddy summaryACR 48 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence of a surviving spouse from property taxes if their law enforcement officer partner died while on duty. The exemption would apply only if the surviving spouse owns and occupies the home as their primary residence and does not remarry. If approved by voters, this change would require New Jersey to remove property tax obligations for qualifying homes. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the next general election following legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to post employee resumes online for staff earning over $25,000 annually who aren't covered by collective bargaining agreements, with personal contact details like addresses and emails redacted. NJT must post these resumes within 30 days of the bill's effective date for current employees or within 30 days of hiring for new employees. It also mandates that NJT publish key details for all new contracts - including the contract copy, vendor name, purpose, and dollar amount - on its website within 30 days of signing. These requirements apply to both employee information and contracts entered into after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's endangering welfare of a child law (N.J.S.2C:24-4) to specifically criminalize parents or caregivers who unlawfully use, manufacture, or distribute drugs while a child is present. It makes violating drug laws (N.J.S.2C:35-5 or N.J.S.2C:35-10) in a child's presence a third-degree crime (if manufacturing/distributing) or fourth-degree crime (if possessing/using), separate from the underlying drug offense. The law directly affects parents or caregivers with legal responsibility for a child who commit drug-related actions in the child's presence. The policy change adds a distinct criminal penalty for exposing children to drug activity, without altering existing drug offense penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires homeowners' associations, condominiums, and cooperatives in New Jersey to provide specific information to residents upon request, including board member contact details, the annual budget, and insurance policy details. It mandates that management and maintenance contracts include 24-hour emergency services with a dedicated hotline for residents. Associations must deliver electronic copies of insurance policies within 24 hours of a request, or paper copies within two business days. These requirements must be incorporated into association bylaws during the next amendment or when new bylaws are adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires water purveyors (those operating public community water systems) to submit quarterly and annual reports to the municipalities they serve about water supply allocations and quality. The reports must include permit details, water sources, any exceedances of permitted usage, and water quality test results for contaminants like chemicals and radionuclides. If water purveyors exceed their permitted allocation, they must publish a notice in a local newspaper explaining conservation measures and alternatives for additional water rights. Violations of these reporting requirements can result in fines of up to $100,000 for repeated offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacies and other providers of oxygen for home use to create emergency action plans. These plans must detail procedures to ensure oxygen delivery continues and respond to patient inquiries during a public health emergency. The Director of Consumer Affairs will establish the plan requirements and notify all affected providers. The Director will also develop implementing regulations with health and emergency management officials.