Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryACR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow New Jersey's legislature to require parents or legal guardians to receive notice before a minor child undergoes medical or surgical treatment related to pregnancy. This amendment specifically targets unemancipated minors (those not legally independent) and aims to override a 2000 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar parental notification law as unconstitutional. The amendment would add a new constitutional provision permitting such notification requirements regardless of existing constitutional rights related to privacy or medical autonomy. If approved by voters, it would enable future legislation mandating parental notice for pregnancy-related care without constitutional challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill would shift the administration of affordable housing obligations from municipalities to the state-level Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), requiring COAH to calculate the statewide affordable housing need rather than relying on municipal or regional calculations. Municipalities would submit housing elements to COAH detailing their current housing stock and potential for affordable housing development, and COAH would grant "substantive certification" to qualifying municipalities, shielding them from exclusionary zoning lawsuits. The bill would require COAH to develop fair share plans for each municipality based on the statewide need and establish a mediation process for disputes about these plans. This change would replace the current system where municipalities determine their own affordable housing obligations with a centralized statewide approach.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a legal presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in a child's best interest, meaning courts must assume both parents should share decision-making authority and the child should spend equal or nearly equal time with each parent. A parent seeking to avoid joint custody must provide clear and convincing evidence that it would harm the child, and the court must document its reasoning if it deviates from this presumption. The bill does not change the requirement that custody arrangements must align with the child's best interests but shifts the starting point for court decisions to joint custody. It applies to all child custody cases in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Class Two special law enforcement officers to carry firearms at all times while in New Jersey, rather than only while on duty. It also permits arson investigators to carry firearms at all times while in the state. The bill establishes new requirements for all special law enforcement officers, including age limits (21-75 years old) and mandatory drug testing at appointment. It clarifies that Class Two special law enforcement officers have the same legal protections and immunity from civil liability as regular law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2512) clarifies that all first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads - whether volunteer or non-volunteer - have legal immunity from civil lawsuits when providing services in good faith. It removes a current limitation that only granted immunity to non-volunteer squads for advanced life support services, extending it to all services they provide. The immunity applies to the squad as an organization, not just individual members. This does not cover motor vehicle operations or incidents involving negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2253) increases the annual amount credited to New Jersey's Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million. The fund receives the state portion of realty transfer fees collected when property deeds are recorded (calculated at $1.25 per $500 of property value). The change applies immediately to all future State fiscal years following enactment. This directly affects the Shore Protection Fund's annual funding level, doubling its baseline allocation from realty transfer fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for employers who violate New Jersey's wage and hour law. For first violations, fines rise from $100-$1,000 to $500-$1,000; for second violations, they increase to $1,000-$2,000. Third or subsequent violations become a fourth-degree crime punishable by fines of $2,000-$10,000 or up to 18 months in prison. The bill also authorizes the Labor Commissioner to impose administrative penalties up to $250 for first violations and $500 for repeat violations, considering factors like employer history and business size. It directly affects employers who underpay workers, falsify records, or obstruct wage law enforcement.

Maddy summaryAJR 28 designates the third full week in May each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" in New Jersey. The resolution encourages counties, cities, and school districts to promote drowning prevention awareness through local activities and programs. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation urging public officials and residents to observe the week, emphasizing proven safety strategies like close adult supervision, pool barriers, swimming lessons, and life jackets for non-swimmers. This commemorative resolution aims to raise public awareness about drowning being a leading cause of preventable child injury and death, particularly for children under five.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund - funded by fines from convicted drug offenders - to the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The program, established by law (P.L.2012, c.46), uses fishing activities to engage youth in drug prevention efforts. The funding covers implementation costs, and the bill encourages annual appropriations from the same fund or other sources to maintain the program.