Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for most New Jersey public officials and employees to maintain their principal residence in the state. It removes the current residency rule from state law, except for limited existing exceptions such as temporary faculty positions at state colleges and employees working primarily outside New Jersey. The bill also eliminates the current exemption committee process that allowed special requests for exceptions. This change directly affects thousands of state workers, including those in executive, legislative, judicial branches, and public education, by removing a longstanding residency obligation. The law would take effect upon passage, with no new exemption process needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Children within New Jersey's government (operating under the Attorney General's office but without departmental control). The ombudsman will investigate child welfare cases, monitor facilities like foster homes and group homes, and identify systemic issues in how the state cares for children at risk of abuse or neglect. Key mechanisms include a 24-hour hotline for public concerns, authority to access child welfare records, and reporting findings to the Governor and Legislature. The office directly affects children in state care, child welfare agencies, and service providers, aiming to ensure they receive appropriate protections and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey hospitals to include testing for fentanyl and xylazine in routine urine drug screenings when treating patients. It directly affects all general acute care hospitals licensed in New Jersey that conduct such screenings. Hospitals must report de-identified test results to the Department of Health if fentanyl, xylazine, or other drugs under a health alert are detected. The law aims to improve overdose response by ensuring these dangerous substances - linked to rising fatal overdoses - are identified during patient care.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 212) requires law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizens unlawfully present in the state are arrested or convicted of specific offenses. It mandates 24-hour notification to federal immigration authorities (including ICE and CBP) for arrests related to crimes like violent offenses (1st-4th degree), drug trafficking, theft, or robbery. Courts must also immediately contact federal authorities upon convicting such non-citizens, and probation officers or correctional facilities must provide similar notifications. The law directly affects non-citizens in New Jersey facing these charges, requiring state entities to facilitate deportation proceedings. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry, requiring the Attorney General to create an online database with details about individuals convicted of specific human trafficking offenses (including trafficking, aiding trafficking, or advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors). The registry categorizes people by status (incarcerated, on parole, in community release programs, or out-of-state parolees) and includes names, sentences, addresses, and criminal history. It also mandates one-time training for police on trafficking identification and for hotel/motel staff and healthcare workers on recognizing and responding to suspected trafficking cases. These training requirements must be completed within specific timeframes by affected employees and are tied to license maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes the New Jersey Council of County Colleges' role in state funding and strategic planning. It requires the Council to submit an annual unified budget request to the Governor and Legislature, establish a performance-based funding formula (capping state operational support at 43% of colleges' base-year costs), and develop a strategic plan aligned with state priorities. The Council must also advise state agencies on higher education policy, promote equitable funding, and enhance data sharing for student success initiatives. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by P.L.2025, c.371.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a prohibition that previously prevented police from being stationed at polling places and ballot drop boxes during elections. It allows election boards to request police assistance for specific security concerns, such as emergencies or disturbances, while maintaining a 100-foot restriction for officers not responding to such requests. The bill also preserves existing rules prohibiting police officers from wearing uniforms or carrying weapons while serving as election board members or challengers. These changes directly affect election boards, law enforcement agencies, and voters at polling locations in New Jersey. The bill does not permit routine police presence at voting sites but enables targeted security responses during elections.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3144 directs the Attorney General to create a formal agreement with federal authorities, enabling specific corrections officers to check inmates' immigration status at the time of incarceration. Only officers who volunteer, are approved by their employers, and complete required training would be designated for this role. If an inmate is found to be in the U.S. without legal authorization, officers would report this to federal immigration authorities (ICE), but they cannot take enforcement action themselves. The agreement would also outline training, federal funding for costs, and clarify legal protections for officers acting under this program. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A1251 prohibits credit card companies from using a new International Organization for Standardization merchant category code specifically for firearm or ammunition purchases. The law requires retailers selling firearms or ammunition to be classified under existing codes for general merchandise or sporting goods, rather than a separate "firearms" category. This prevents credit card processors from flagging or tracking legal firearm purchases through transaction data. The bill aims to protect Second Amendment rights and prevent potential privacy risks from financial institutions recording lawful gun purchases. It applies to payment settlement entities, merchants, and financial institutions processing card transactions in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level at least 30 days before the school year starts. It mandates that districts include specific information like course units, learning objectives, and details about textbooks/materials used. School districts must also post when and where parents/legal guardians can review these materials before they are used in classrooms. The bill applies to all public school districts and takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.