Asm. Nancy Muñoz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program that encourages gas utilities to adopt renewable natural gas (RNG) and invest in related infrastructure. It provides gas utilities with a mechanism to recover costs for qualifying investments and RNG procurement from customers through regulated rate adjustments, subject to BPU approval. Utilities must purchase RNG at market rates, and the BPU will set customer charges based on actual costs, including RNG supply, commodity, and administrative expenses. The program aims to support greenhouse gas reduction efforts while ensuring ratepayer protections through BPU oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2512) clarifies that all first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads - whether volunteer or non-volunteer - have legal immunity from civil lawsuits when providing services in good faith. It removes a current limitation that only granted immunity to non-volunteer squads for advanced life support services, extending it to all services they provide. The immunity applies to the squad as an organization, not just individual members. This does not cover motor vehicle operations or incidents involving negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all vehicle sellers in New Jersey to fix outstanding safety recalls before selling a car. Sellers must check with the vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to confirm if recalls exist, and if so, those recalls must be repaired prior to the sale. It applies to both dealers and private sellers of used vehicles, ensuring buyers receive cars with all required safety repairs completed. The law takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryA2515 amends New Jersey's assault laws to specifically upgrade penalties for domestic violence-related assaults. It treats assaults against victims of domestic violence (as defined in the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991) as more serious offenses. Simple assault in these cases becomes a fourth-degree crime (with no presumption of non-imprisonment), while aggravated assault can range from third to first degree depending on the severity. Penalties range from up to 18 months in jail for fourth-degree offenses to up to 20 years for first-degree offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.

Maddy summaryMonica's Law (A950) requires courts to use evidence-based risk assessments in domestic violence cases involving child safety. It mandates the development of a standardized parenting time questionnaire for parents concerned about a child's safety and an evidence-based risk guide for judges to use when determining parenting time arrangements. In cases where a parent claims safety concerns due to the other parent's violent behavior, courts must temporarily restrict parenting time while the questionnaire is completed, with options including court-supervised time or time away from the other parent. The bill also requires the Attorney General to develop a risk assessment tool for law enforcement to evaluate the likelihood of future violence in domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution urges Congress to examine Amtrak's operations at New York Penn Station, specifically focusing on whether commuter rail systems like New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road should be included in decision-making about the station. It highlights that Penn Station handles over 1,300 train movements weekly - mostly commuter services - with aging infrastructure failing to keep pace with doubled traffic since 1976, leading to reliability issues and past derailments. The resolution does not create new laws but requests Congress consider requiring commuter rail operators' input in station management decisions. It stems from concerns about Amtrak's underinvestment in infrastructure despite commuter rail systems accounting for most train movements at the station.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1582) requires New Jersey public school students who sustain a concussion to obtain an evaluation and written clearance from a licensed health care professional before returning to school. It also prohibits students from participating in any physical activities (like recess or PE) until they receive this clearance. School districts must implement any restrictions or limitations recommended by the health professional, using their 504 team (per N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3), and notify all relevant staff. The law applies directly to public school students, school districts, and licensed health care providers who diagnose/treat concussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's tax code to exclude certain retirement contributions from gross income tax calculations. Specifically, it would exclude contributions to qualified pension plans, deferred compensation plans, and provide a deduction for qualifying individual retirement account (IRA) contributions. Currently, private sector employees benefit from tax deferral on retirement contributions, but public sector employees (including government workers, school employees, and nonprofit staff) do not have the same tax treatment. The bill would extend similar tax advantages to these workers, making retirement savings more accessible for them. It would apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) specifically for New Jersey's state veterans' facilities, directly affecting these facilities and the state agencies responsible for them. The OIG will investigate complaints about facility policies, conduct inspections to ensure safety and quality of care, and have authority to subpoena documents and testimony. Crucially, the OIG must immediately investigate policies linked to high death rates during the COVID-19 pandemic at veterans' facilities, reporting findings to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days. All investigation reports will be made public online and shared with the facilities involved, ensuring transparency in oversight.