Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill, introduced in New Jersey, requires health care professionals to provide the same standard of care to infants born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion as they would to any newborn. It defines "born alive" as any infant showing signs of life (breathing, heartbeat, or movement) after expulsion, regardless of gestational age or birth method. Violating these requirements could result in third-degree criminal charges (3-5 years in prison or $15,000 fine), while intentionally killing such an infant would be a 30-year-to-life offense. The bill also mandates reporting failures to comply and allows mothers to file civil lawsuits against violators. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Health Committee.

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to redirect New Jersey's personal income tax revenue directly to public schools. It would require all net receipts from the state's income tax to be allocated to school districts on a per-student basis, replacing the current system where such revenue partially funded property tax relief. The amendment specifies that this allocation would fulfill the state's constitutional duty to maintain "a thorough and efficient system of free public schools," while clarifying that the Legislature retains authority to provide additional school funding through other means. This change would modify Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution to explicitly mandate school district funding from income tax revenue, rather than allowing flexibility for property tax relief or other uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows deer hunting with firearms or bows on Sundays on State wildlife management areas, private property, and certain federal lands (including military installations and the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County), subject to landowner approval. It requires hunters to have a valid deer hunting license or "All Around Sportsman License" and follow all State Fish and Game Code rules. Currently, Sunday hunting is generally prohibited except for limited exceptions like raccoon hunting before dawn. The bill amends existing law to expand these exceptions specifically for deer hunting under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create and issue guidelines by September 1, 2023, for school districts on preparing students for state assessments. The guidelines must include best practices for test preparation, specifically addressing how to limit the amount of classroom time dedicated to test prep. These rules apply directly to all public school districts in New Jersey that administer state assessments. The bill focuses on setting clear parameters for instructional time rather than changing the assessments themselves.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1180) defines what counts as a "day in session" for school districts to qualify for state school aid. It specifies that a valid session day must include at least six hours of school with students under teacher guidance (except for kindergarten-only schools, which are exempt from the hour requirement). The change raises the current standard from four hours (per existing regulations) to six hours for most schools. School districts must meet this requirement to receive state aid, as failing to do so could result in withheld funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2986) requires candidates, officeholders, political party officials, and political committees to disclose complimentary tickets they receive for events (like sports games or concerts) as part of campaign finance transparency. It strengthens existing rules by mandating that these free tickets - classified as "contributions" under election law - must be reported with specific details, including the ticket's value and purpose. The bill clarifies that such tickets count toward disclosure thresholds, ensuring they’re treated like monetary contributions for reporting purposes. It directly affects anyone receiving free event access tied to political activities, aiming to increase transparency around non-cash campaign benefits. The bill amends New Jersey’s election law (P.L.1973, c.83) and is currently pending in committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to 14 days (expiring on the 15th day), unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending the period. It prohibits the Governor from issuing identical or similar orders for the same emergency after one expires. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency actions, federal compliance requirements, internal government operations, military orders under the Governor's command, or orders under other laws allowing longer terms. The bill applies directly to the Governor's emergency authority and takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 3228) requires websites, social media platforms, and other online entities to verify the age of users attempting to access content deemed "harmful to minors" before allowing access. It mandates reasonable age verification methods (like digital ID checks) and prohibits minors from accessing such content unless it's determined suitable for them under state standards. The law specifically targets material meeting strict criteria, such as content depicting sexual acts or lacking artistic value for young people. Currently pending in the Assembly Science Committee, it would apply to all online services operating in New Jersey, not just social media.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a voluntary registry for companies that clean up trauma scenes (such as crime scenes or biohazard sites). To join the registry, providers must maintain ABRA certification, pay $100 annual fees, follow the ANSI/IICRC S540 cleanup standard, and register with environmental agencies. The registry would list registered providers online, searchable by county, and be accessible to the public. Law enforcement and emergency services would be prohibited from referring to unregistered providers, effectively requiring companies to register to receive referrals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3022) requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board post a virtual meeting link on its website and allows the public to submit comments remotely during designated comment periods. The law applies directly to the State Board of Education and the public seeking to participate in meetings. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.