Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution urges the New Jersey Supreme Court to replace the term "Drug Court" with "Recovery Court" in all judicial publications when referring to the state's supervised treatment program for substance use disorders. It directly affects the New Jersey Supreme Court's public communications, as the resolution requests they update terminology used in reports, websites, and other materials. The resolution argues that "Drug Court" is misleading because it emphasizes drug abuse while ignoring alcohol treatment and the program's core focus on holistic recovery, as established under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-14. The change is purely linguistic and does not alter the program's legal structure or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryACR 20 proposes a constitutional amendment that would give New Jersey voters direct power to enact or repeal specific fiscal policies through initiative and referendum. Voters could approve changes such as reducing state spending by up to 10%, eliminating specific appropriations, lowering tax revenue by up to 10%, repealing tax laws, or suspending long-term debt issuance for one year. To qualify for a statewide vote, a petition would need signatures from at least 25% of voters who voted for governor in each of 14 counties. The Legislature could override voter-approved fiscal restraints with a two-thirds vote in both houses within 45 days of approval. This would be the first time New Jersey voters could directly control these specific fiscal decisions through a constitutional amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the age restriction that previously required retired law enforcement officers in New Jersey to be 75 years old or younger to receive a permit to carry a handgun without establishing "justifiable need." It removes the current requirement that retired officers must be under 75 to obtain such permits without proving a specific need for carrying a handgun. The change allows retired officers of any age to apply for a permit to carry a handgun without having to demonstrate a specific need for the weapon. This affects all retired law enforcement officers in New Jersey who wish to carry handguns for personal protection or other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's funding for high-cost special education services to fully reimburse school districts. It requires the state to cover 100% of costs exceeding $40,000 for students in public school programs or $55,000 for students in private disability schools, up from current rates of 90% and 75%. School districts serving students with disabilities needing intensive services - like those with autism or severe cognitive needs - directly benefit by receiving full reimbursement for eligible expenses. The change applies to all eligible students in the first full school year after enactment and each year thereafter. This addresses current shortfalls where funding covered only about 84% of costs in fiscal year 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within New Jersey's government to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate, appointed by the Governor, will monitor how state agencies and private entities provide child welfare services, investigate complaints, and ensure children in state custody receive appropriate care. The office will have the authority to review facilities like juvenile detention centers and group homes, require agencies to develop corrective action plans for systemic issues, and maintain a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The Child Advocate will report annually to the Governor, Attorney General, and Legislature on findings and recommendations for improving child welfare services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3218) requires New Jersey's Secretary of State and county voter registration commissioners to conduct a one-time audit of the Statewide Voter Registration System within 90 days of the law taking effect. The audit must identify: (1) ineligible voters who successfully registered, (2) attempts by ineligible people to register (even if rejected), and (3) whether current procedures for removing ineligible voters are working as required by law. The officials must jointly develop uniform audit methods and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of completing the audit, detailing findings and recommendations. The bill focuses solely on verifying the accuracy of voter registration records, not changing voting rules or eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 16) expresses support for a proposed federal bill called the "Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act." The federal bill would require the President to submit a detailed report to Congress about fugitives living abroad whom the U.S. has sought to extradite, including the number of cases, countries involved, diplomatic efforts, resolution rates, and barriers to extradition. It specifically aims to provide data to evaluate and improve U.S. extradition efforts, named after two New Jersey victims - Walter Patterson (murdered in 1962) and State Trooper Werner Foerster (murdered in 1973) - whose alleged killers escaped to Portugal and Cuba. The resolution itself has no legal effect but formally urges federal action.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary option in buildings until a required report is issued. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to hold at least six public hearings across the state within 18 months, gathering input on costs, environmental impacts, and effects on workers and low-income residents. The DCA must then submit a report within 24 months, summarizing findings and recommending actions for reducing emissions from buildings. The bill does not ban voluntary electric system use or incentives, nor does it prevent individuals from choosing electric systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two sections (16 and 17) of an existing law (P.L.1975, c.329) that governed the transfer of employees when a local health agency is terminated and replaced by another agency. It removes requirements that employees (both civil service and non-civil service) must be transferred to the new agency with preserved seniority, comparable duties, and pay at least equal to their previous rate. The repeal directly affects employees of local health agencies that may be consolidated or terminated, as it eliminates mandated protections for their employment terms during such transitions. This change simplifies the consolidation process for municipalities and counties seeking to merge health services without being bound by these specific employee transfer rules.

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.