Asm. Dawn Fantasia

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 bill caps compensation for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases at $250,000. It applies to lawsuits against health care providers, including doctors, hospitals, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for professional negligence. The cap takes effect immediately for all cases filed after the law's enactment, without affecting economic damages like medical bills or lost wages.

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 cancel New Jersey's 2020 health and physical education standards and prohibit the State Board of Education from creating new state-level standards in these subjects. It requires each local school district to form a Parental Advisory Committee (made of parents/guardians) to help develop new curriculum standards, with public meetings and online posting of recommendations. Within 180 days of enactment, districts must adopt new standards that include mandatory suicide prevention education and organ donation information for students. The bill shifts authority for setting health education standards from the state to local school boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state funds from being used to provide legal assistance or services to immigrants facing detention or deportation based on their immigration status. It applies to all state contracts, grants, or funding agreements with public agencies or nonprofit organizations offering such legal help. The law takes immediate effect and blocks funding that would otherwise support legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. It directly affects immigrants seeking legal aid in deportation cases and organizations that provide such services using state resources. The bill does not change immigration law but restricts state financial support for related legal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring municipalities in the Highlands planning area to revise their local master plans to match the regional master plan as a condition for approvals like permits, grants, or loans. It also bans agencies from considering whether a municipality follows the regional plan when making decisions about funding, permits, or assistance. State departments listed include environmental protection, transportation, community affairs, and affordable housing agencies. The law takes immediate effect and directly affects municipalities in the Highlands region by reducing state oversight of their local land-use planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's mail-in ballot rules by requiring all ballots to be received by election day - removing previous allowances for ballots arriving within 144 hours after polls closed (with election-day postmarks) or within 48 hours (via USPS). It also increases penalties for violating messenger/bearer limits (e.g., exceeding three voters per messenger) and prohibiting candidates from serving as messengers, now classifying these violations as second-degree crimes instead of third-degree. These changes directly affect voters who mail ballots late, election officials processing ballots, and individuals acting as ballot messengers or bearers. The bill focuses on tightening ballot receipt deadlines and enforcement for mail-in voting procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update statewide policies for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: whether recording undercover investigations protects victims and investigation integrity, strict rules for sharing such recordings, and involving county prosecutors early in cases. The policy review must address these points to better protect victims and support law enforcement. The bill responds to a 2024 commission report on human trafficking in New Jersey's massage industry and applies directly to county/municipal law enforcement and victims of trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public utilities from charging customers a fee to opt out of installing smart meters in their homes. It directly affects residential customers who prefer traditional analog meters over smart meter technology. The bill defines "smart meter" broadly to include various types of digital meters but explicitly bans any fee for choosing not to install one. This would eliminate the current practice where customers pay monthly fees to retain older meters, making the opt-out choice fee-free. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Regulatory Flexibility Act to require state agencies to assess how proposed rules impact small businesses (defined as those with under 100 employees or $6 million in annual sales). Agencies must now minimize economic burdens through tailored compliance options, simplified reporting, and performance-based standards - without compromising public health or safety. It also mandates agencies to review existing rules every seven years and creates a 90-day petition process for small businesses to challenge rules they claim unfairly harm them. The law aims to reduce regulatory costs while maintaining statutory goals.