Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement agencies and officers from using drones (unmanned aerial systems) for surveillance or law enforcement activities, including monitoring people, gathering evidence, or enforcing land-use regulations. Exceptions include drone use for counter-terrorism (with U.S. Homeland Security approval) or forest fire monitoring by the Department of Environmental Protection, with a 350-foot altitude limit for permitted flights. Violating the ban allows affected individuals to sue for damages and requires illegally obtained drone evidence to be excluded from court. The law applies immediately to all state and local law enforcement entities.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 24) commemorates the christening of the USS John Basilone, a U.S. Navy destroyer named in honor of New Jersey native Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. It honors Basilone's World War II service, including his Medal of Honor and Navy Cross awards for actions at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and his childhood ties to Raritan Borough, New Jersey. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, with copies to be sent to the Secretary of the Navy and the Basilone Memorial Foundation. It does not affect any individuals or create new laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2574) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to show sufficient identification during official duties, including traffic stops. Officers meet this requirement by satisfying two or more of four options: wearing a uniform with agency insignia, presenting a photo ID card, showing a department-issued badge/label, or operating a visibly marked vehicle. Exceptions apply when identification could endanger officers or compromise investigations, and plain-clothed officers may still respond to urgent safety situations. The bill aims to help community members verify an officer's identity during routine interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to allow death benefits to be paid to a supplemental needs trust for an unmarried disabled child of a deceased police officer or firefighter. Currently, PFRS death benefits can be paid directly to an unmarried disabled child (age 18+ with disability) but not to a trust established for that child. The bill would change the definition of "child" in the PFRS benefits to include a supplemental needs trust that serves a disabled child who meets specific disability criteria. This change would allow families to use these death benefits to establish a trust that supplements other government benefits for their disabled child without jeopardizing the child's eligibility for those benefits. The bill directly affects families of deceased police and fire personnel who have unmarried disabled children.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 73) urges New Jersey’s Attorney General to establish mandatory in-service training for all state, county, and local law enforcement officers. It specifically calls for a minimum of two hours of training every three years focused on interacting with developmentally disabled individuals and those experiencing behavioral health crises. The resolution references existing free NJLearn programs as potential resources and encourages the Attorney General to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to create standardized guidelines. It does not create new law but seeks to expand officer awareness and response protocols for vulnerable populations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2519) would add a new aggravating factor for judges to consider when sentencing individuals convicted of domestic violence against certain minors. Specifically, it would require courts to consider as an aggravating factor if the domestic violence was committed against a minor who is already defined as a domestic violence victim under state law - including minors in dating relationships or emancipated minors (those under 18 who are married, have children, are pregnant, or have been declared emancipated by a court). The addition would make sentencing more severe for domestic violence against these vulnerable minors. The bill directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants in domestic violence cases involving these specific minor victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop standardized labels for recycling bins within one year of the bill becoming law. Solid waste management districts must then update their recycling plans within two years to mandate these labels on all new recycling bins distributed in their areas. The labels will clearly identify which recyclable materials each bin is intended for (e.g., paper, plastic, glass), aiming to reduce contamination in recycling streams. This directly affects the DEP (responsible for creating the labeling system) and all 30+ solid waste management districts across New Jersey (responsible for implementing the labels).

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to a maximum of 14 days. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension beyond this 14-day period through a concurrent resolution. The Governor cannot issue identical or substantially similar orders for the same emergency after one expires under this rule. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency measures, federal compliance requirements, internal state government operations, military orders, or orders issued under other laws with longer terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and strengthens disclosure requirements for complimentary tickets received by political candidates, officeholders, political party officials, and committee members. It requires reporting when tickets to political fundraisers or events (with face value or purchase price exceeding $200) are given free to these individuals, treating them as in-kind contributions. If tickets are transferred between recipients and used, both the giver and user must report them to the Election Law Enforcement Commission. However, candidates for Governor or Legislature don't need to report tickets over $250, though they must report tickets over $200 for personal use. The bill aims to increase transparency around free event access that could function as political contributions.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 72) encourages New Jersey municipalities to adopt the practice of accepting electronically submitted, digitally signed documents from licensed architects and landscape architects. It references existing 2017 rules from the New Jersey State Board of Architects that permit this electronic submission method. By promoting this practice, municipalities would receive documents faster, reduce paper use and storage needs, and align with broader government preferences for digital workflows. The resolution is non-binding and aims to support existing regulations without creating new legal requirements.