Asm. Nancy Muñoz

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires healthcare facilities to provide safeguards for nursing home residents and those with health conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, guarantee adequate care and therapy, allow family visitation, and protect legal directives like "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers with open offices and ensures access to legal services during emergencies. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online and require all healthcare facilities to display them prominently.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill upgrades simple assault against servicemembers to aggravated assault, making such offenses punishable as third-degree crimes (with potential 3-5 year prison terms) rather than the standard disorderly persons offense. It also expands the state's bias intimidation law to specifically include crimes motivated by a victim's status as a servicemember, adding this to the list of protected characteristics alongside race, gender, disability, and other identities. The bill defines "servicemember" to include veterans, active military personnel, and members of the New Jersey organized militia, and removes a previously unconstitutional provision from the bias intimidation law.

Maddy summaryAJR 24 establishes a five-member study commission to examine the feasibility of implementing a unified smart card fare system across New Jersey's transit agencies. The commission, appointed by state leaders with specific expertise in transit technology, fare policy, and infrastructure, will analyze costs, benefits, and strategies for cross-agency compatibility. It must submit a report within one year, detailing recommendations for adopting a compatible system and improving fare policies to enhance customer value. The bill does not enact a new policy but sets up a study to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1750) creates a new criminal offense for "theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person" in New Jersey. It specifically targets individuals in positions of trust - such as family members, caregivers, or joint tenants - who commit theft against vulnerable adults defined as seniors (62+ years) or people with disabilities. The law requires separate sentencing for this new offense and the underlying theft, with penalties graded based on the severity of the original theft (e.g., a fourth-degree crime if the underlying theft was a disorderly persons offense). This directly affects vulnerable seniors and disabled individuals and those exploiting their trust, while providing clearer legal tools for prosecutors.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents newly hired officers and employees of certain public associations (including the New Jersey Association of Counties, school board insurance groups, and municipal insurance funds) from enrolling in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It also terminates PERS enrollment for current employees with less than 10 years of service credit as of the bill's effective date. Employees with 10 or more years of service credit who continue working without a break may maintain their PERS membership. Additionally, the bill repeals provisions that allowed PERS and Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund members on leave to purchase pension credit while working for labor organizations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1007) gives courts authority to order parents to cover their unemancipated child's post-high school educational expenses, including college or vocational training. Courts must consider 22 specific factors like parents' financial ability, child's academic commitment, and availability of scholarships or loans when determining payment amounts. The court may require the child to contribute through work-study, grants, or loans, and parents' obligation typically ends when the child earns a bachelor's degree or equivalent certification. The law specifies that courts may modify or terminate parental contribution if the child fails to maintain enrollment, academic standards, or provide required documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts a healthcare provider's primary residence (homestead) from being seized or sold to satisfy a medical malpractice judgment. It applies specifically to healthcare providers who are defendants in medical malpractice cases. The law protects their primary home - including single-family houses, condos, and manufactured homes used as their permanent residence - from being attached or forced sold due to such judgments. This change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1032) amends New Jersey law to allow school boards to hire advanced practice nurses (APNs) as school medical inspectors, instead of requiring them to hire only licensed physicians. Currently, school boards must employ a physician for this role; the bill expands eligibility to include APNs who are licensed in New Jersey. This change directly affects school districts statewide, giving them more flexibility in staffing their health services. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment, updating the existing requirement under N.J.S.18A:40-1.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the tax on cigars in New Jersey to a maximum of $0.50 per cigar, replacing the current 30% tax on wholesale price. It directly affects cigar retailers and consumers by capping the tax rate, which previously could exceed $0.50 for higher-priced cigars. The key mechanism is amending the tobacco tax law to set this flat maximum, clarifying that cigar tax cannot exceed 50 cents regardless of wholesale cost. This change aims to level the playing field for New Jersey brick-and-mortar cigar shops competing with out-of-state online sellers that don’t collect state tax.

Maddy summaryBill A288 establishes an independent State Office of the Consumer within New Jersey's Legislative Branch. The office, led by a director appointed by legislative leaders (Senate President, Assembly Speaker, and minority leaders), will randomly assess phone responsiveness and accessibility of local governments, school districts, state offices, and regulated health insurance companies. It will also evaluate website user-friendliness for these entities and submit monthly reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing findings. The director serves a six-year term and must have relevant consumer advocacy experience.