Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2405) prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from requiring "student growth objectives" as part of teacher evaluations. Currently, these objectives - which measure student progress against state standards - account for 15-50% of a teacher's evaluation score. The bill explicitly bans the State Board from mandating these objectives or any similar assessment method. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, directly affecting how teachers are evaluated statewide.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 77) is a symbolic statement of support for Ukraine and its citizens amid Russia's ongoing conflict. It condemns Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, 2022 invasion, and violations of international law, while expressing solidarity with Ukraine's sovereignty and democratic aspirations. The resolution requires sending copies to Ukraine's U.S. and U.N. ambassadors but does not create new laws or affect any specific group. It is a non-binding declaration reflecting New Jersey's position, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A385) creates legal protection for physicians who provide prenatal care, shielding them from civil lawsuits if a child is born with a birth injury or congenital defect, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects doctors who deliver prenatal care and their patients (mothers). Key requirements include: the physician must have met standard medical care, the mother must have chosen not to continue prenatal visits in the final eight weeks, the physician must have advised the mother about the importance of ongoing care, and either the issue wasn't detectable during care or the physician fully informed the mother about risks, consequences, and medical options. The immunity applies immediately to births occurring on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryACR 40 is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to fully fund two property tax relief programs for municipalities each year. It mandates that the state distribute the full amount of Energy Tax Relief Aid (based on the 2018 distribution level adjusted annually for inflation) and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (based on the 2009 distribution level adjusted annually for inflation). This would prevent the state from diverting these funds to other state programs, as occurred in some past years when distributions fell short. The amendment would take effect starting July 1, 2019, for the state fiscal year beginning that date.

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 summaryACR 55 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer property tax credits of up to 100% on the primary residence of volunteer firefighters or volunteer first aid squad members. To qualify, the volunteer must actively serve a fire company or first aid squad that serves the same municipality where they live. Municipalities would need to adopt an ordinance to implement the credit, which would directly reduce property tax bills for eligible volunteers. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "Murphy's Law," creates a specific rule for New Jersey's emergency powers. It states that if the Governor violates their own emergency order, rule, or regulation (adopted under the state's Emergency Management Act), that specific order, rule, or regulation becomes void and unenforceable. It also establishes an affirmative defense for people prosecuted for violating such an emergency order: if the Governor committed the same violation, the defendant cannot be convicted for that specific breach. The law applies to violations classified as disorderly persons offenses (punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine) and takes effect immediately for all pending and future prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Healthcare Choice Act allows health insurers licensed in other states to offer individual health plans to New Jersey residents and small group health plans to New Jersey employers under specific conditions. To provide coverage in New Jersey, out-of-state insurers must offer the same plans in their home state, obtain a certificate of authority from the state insurance commissioner, and join New Jersey's guaranty association. The bill requires clear disclosures about how these plans differ from standard New Jersey plans and ensures marketing and claims processes meet state standards without imposing stricter rules than for local insurers. This aims to increase consumer choice and competition in the health insurance market while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's 2019 "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act," which allowed terminally ill patients to request medication for self-administration to end their lives. It removes a legal exception that previously prevented such actions from being prosecuted as suicide or assisted suicide under state law. The repeal directly affects terminally ill patients who could have sought this option and healthcare providers who facilitated the process. The key mechanism is the elimination of this exception, restoring the state's general criminal law on aiding suicide to apply to these situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2404) would amend New Jersey law to allow fishing vessels licensed to catch menhaden for bait or human food to use specific "wet pumps" (capsule or centrifugal design) for removing menhaden from purse seine nets. The pumps must have their discharge hose positioned at or below the vessel's water line to minimize excess aeration of surface waters. Currently, the law only permitted removal by brailing or dip net and prohibited having a pump on board unless it was covered and secured. This change directly affects commercial fishing vessels operating in New Jersey waters under menhaden fishing licenses.