Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill amends statutes to clarify that individuals using force against an intruder in their dwelling do not have to retreat before acting. It specifically states that force (including deadly force) is justified if the occupant reasonably believes it's necessary to protect themselves or others from immediate harm during an unlawful entry. The bill directly affects homeowners or occupants facing unauthorized entry into their residence. Key changes remove the duty to retreat from one's dwelling when confronting an intruder, aligning with existing protections for self-defense in homes under NJ law. (Amends N.J.S.2C:3-4 and N.J.S.2C:3-6; pending before Assembly Public Safety Committee)

Maddy summaryACR 107 is a non-binding resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Education to pause the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for two years. It directly affects the Department of Education and State Board of Education by requesting a temporary halt to creating new standards, while pending legislative bills about curriculum and learning loss are reviewed. The resolution cites parent concerns about current standards, pandemic-related learning loss, and declining U.S. education rankings as reasons for the pause. It does not change existing standards but asks for a two-year moratorium to allow the Legislature to address related issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's state income tax benefits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to mirror the federal tax advantages currently available to individual taxpayers. It amends existing law (P.L.1992, c.161) to align New Jersey's gross income tax treatment with federal HSA rules, allowing residents to deduct HSA contributions and enjoy tax-free growth on savings. The policy change directly affects New Jersey individual taxpayers who use HSAs for qualified medical expenses. The bill does not alter health insurance plan requirements or coverage provisions but adjusts state tax treatment to match federal standards. It remains pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public colleges to provide student-athletes with an equivalent scholarship if their athletic scholarship isn't renewed due to a serious injury or illness directly related to their sport. It applies specifically to student-athletes who become medically ineligible to compete because of such an injury. The new scholarship must cover the same value as the lost athletic scholarship, and combined with any prior athletic scholarships, it must last for up to five academic years or until the student earns their degree - whichever comes first. Public institutions may choose to offer additional years beyond the five-year limit at their discretion.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges New Jersey's state and federal agencies to pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping near offshore wind projects. It cites NOAA data showing 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 off New Jersey's coast - deaths occurring near active wind development sites. The resolution requests an immediate moratorium to allow scientific study of whether these activities interfere with marine mammals' navigation and communication. It specifically targets the Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The resolution does not create new law but calls for a pause while investigations continue.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits social media platforms meeting specific size thresholds (e.g., $100M+ annual revenue or 100M+ global users) from permanently or temporarily banning candidates for public office in New Jersey during election periods. It applies to candidates who qualify for office, including those who raise funds or withdraw, and requires platforms to provide a verification method using official election websites. Platforms must notify candidates if they provide free advertising space but do not consider standard candidate posts as "free advertising." Violations carry daily fines of $250,000 for statewide candidates or $25,000 for other offices, enforced by the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts campaign contributions to school board candidates in New Jersey's Type II school districts. It prohibits administrators of these districts (and their immediate family members living in their household) from contributing more than $100 total per election to candidates for school board member. If contributions exceed $100, the contributor becomes ineligible for an administrative role in that district for two years. The law applies to all campaign contributions made directly or through family members to school board candidates.

Maddy summaryACR 92 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate revenue from New Jersey's recreational marijuana sales tax to property tax relief. It would create a special "Recreational Marijuana Sales Tax Account" within the Property Tax Relief Fund, requiring all annual marijuana tax revenue to be automatically placed there. This dedicated funding must be used exclusively for a uniform property tax credit for homeowners who live in their home as their primary residence and pay annual property taxes. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect, as it would change the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' (DCA) authority to enforce disclosure requirements for developers of planned real estate developments. It directly affects developers (including those building subdivisions, condos, or cooperatives) and their buyers by providing clearer definitions for terms like "developer," "planned real estate development," and "common promotional plan" in existing law. The key mechanism is updating these definitions to ensure DCA can more effectively require developers to disclose key details about properties before sale, without creating new penalties or obligations.