Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill adds specific illicit fentanyl derivatives - including furanyl fentanyl, 3-methylfentanyl, carfentanyl, and others - to Schedule I of New Jersey's Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. It directly affects individuals or entities manufacturing, distributing, or possessing these unapproved fentanyl-related substances, which are classified as having high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. The bill codifies an existing emergency rule (from 2016-2017) that temporarily added these substances to Schedule I, making the designation permanent under state law. Prescription fentanyl remains classified as Schedule II, as it has accepted medical uses under strict regulation. This change does not alter current penalties for Schedule I violations, which range from third-degree to second-degree crimes based on quantity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A175) requires medical testing for individuals who may have exposed first responders to bloodborne pathogens like HIV or hepatitis. It applies when first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) have direct contact with bodily fluids or needle pricks during emergencies. If a first responder reports potential exposure within 24 hours, a public health officer must seek voluntary testing consent from the interacting person. If consent isn't given, the officer can seek a court order for testing - requiring proof of transmission risk - while ensuring test results remain confidential and cannot be used in court or for law enforcement. The person tested may be ordered to reimburse the state for testing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of the New Jersey National Guard or U.S. military reserves called to active duty to retain eligibility for fire department positions after returning from service. It specifically ensures that if a service member met a municipality's fire department maximum age requirement at the closing date of a civil service exam, they are deemed to still meet that requirement when placed on a new eligibility list after military service. The provision applies when they submit proof of service and an application within 12 months of the original list's expiration, without requiring new exams. It directly affects military members seeking fire department employment in New Jersey municipalities governed by specific statutes (N.J.S.40A:14-12 or 40A:14-42 through 40A:14-44).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey voters to present a physical identification document at polling places when voting. Acceptable IDs include a New Jersey driver's license, passport, voter registration card, birth certificate, or utility bill (if used as supplemental ID). Voters without primary ID must provide two forms of supplemental ID, such as a utility bill with their name and address. The bill allows election officials to challenge a voter's eligibility only if the ID presented does not match the voter's information, ensuring voters can still cast ballots with acceptable documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1757) extends New Jersey's $6,000 veteran gross income tax exemption to the spouses of deceased veterans. Currently, surviving spouses lose this exemption after the veteran's death, even if they filed jointly in the year of death. The bill allows surviving spouses to continue claiming the $6,000 exemption in future taxable years until they remarry, provided the veteran qualified for the exemption in the year they died. It directly affects spouses of veterans who died while eligible for the tax break, reducing their taxable income without requiring new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $2,000 tax exemption for New Jersey volunteer firefighters, first aid, and rescue squad members who meet specific service and training requirements. To qualify, firefighters must serve the entire year, respond to at least 60% of fire alarms and drills, and hold Firefighter I certification; rescue and first aid members must respond to at least 10% of rescue alarms and drills and have approved training or EMT certification. Volunteer organizations must submit annual lists of eligible members to the state for verification by March 31. The exemption applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to broaden eligibility for civil service and pension benefits for veterans. It removes specific service date and location requirements that previously limited eligibility, changing the definition of "veteran" to include any resident of New Jersey who served in the Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable. This change applies to veterans who served in recent conflicts like Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as those who served domestically, such as 9/11 responders. The bill affects pension systems including the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The goal is to recognize all military service, regardless of location or duty assignment, as qualifying for veteran benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A260) excludes certain military reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses from New Jersey's gross income tax. It directly affects active-duty and reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces who receive these specific bonuses while serving. The key provision amends New Jersey tax code (N.J.S.54A:6-7) to add subsection (d), explicitly excluding such bonuses from taxable income. The change applies immediately to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment. This is a tax code adjustment, not a new benefit or program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to establish a voting integrity task force within the Division of Criminal Justice. The task force will investigate and prosecute voting fraud crimes, utilizing a coordinated strategy across state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. It directly affects the Attorney General's office and law enforcement agencies by creating a dedicated unit focused on election-related fraud. The bill mandates this structure without altering voting procedures or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1273) would require all New Jersey employers to verify new employees' work authorization using the federal E-Verify program before hiring. Employers with 100+ staff must comply by December 31, 2020; smaller employers must comply by December 31, 2021. It prohibits knowingly or intentionally employing unauthorized aliens, with penalties including civil fines ($100-$1,000 per violation) and potential business license suspensions for repeated violations. The law also mandates random state audits for compliance and requires employers to terminate unauthorized employees upon court order, with probation periods and quarterly reporting for first offenses.