Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's self-defense laws to clarify when force or deadly force is legally justified. It removes the requirement to retreat before using force (except deadly force) to protect oneself or others from imminent unlawful force, and explicitly allows "standing your ground" when not committing a crime and in a lawful location. Deadly force is permitted to prevent death, serious injury, or specific violent crimes like murder, robbery, or aggravated assault (referencing the "Three Strikes" law). The bill repeals outdated statutes (N.J.S.2C:3-4 through N.J.S.2C:3-7) and directly affects anyone potentially using force in self-defense across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts in every county to receive a minimum geographic cost adjustment (GCA) of 1.0 when calculating state school aid. The GCA adjusts funding based on local costs, and this bill mandates it cannot fall below 1.0 for any county, ensuring all districts get at least the base funding level. It amends existing law to clarify that the commissioner must develop and update this adjustment every five years using census data, while maintaining the 1.0 minimum. This directly affects all public school districts statewide by guaranteeing a baseline funding level regardless of geographic cost differences. The bill focuses on the formula's structure, not specific outcomes or advocacy.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Laken Riley Act requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of non-citizens arrested for specific serious crimes - including violent offenses, certain traffic violations causing injury, or federal "aggravated felonies." If confirmed as unlawfully present, these individuals face a legal presumption of pretrial detention, overriding the state's bail reform law. The bill mandates compliance with federal immigration detainer requests and repeals a prior law prohibiting local jails from holding immigrants for federal authorities. It also rescinds New Jersey's "Immigrant Trust Directive," aligning state procedures with federal immigration enforcement priorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2658) prohibits New Jersey's state pension and annuity funds from investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies or any company with business ties to them. It directly affects the state's pension funds managed by the Division of Investment, requiring them to divest existing holdings within three years. Key mechanisms include annual reporting to the legislature on divestment progress and requiring the State Investment Council to consult with an independent research firm to identify affected investments. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Assembly (introduced January 13, 2026) and does not yet take effect.

Maddy summaryACR 89 proposes a constitutional amendment that would generally prohibit the government from using eminent domain to take land actively used for farming. It would prevent the State, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other public entities from acquiring farmland for non-farming purposes, such as development or commercial projects. However, the amendment allows taking farmland if the property is restricted in perpetuity for agricultural use. This change would require voter approval to become part of New Jersey's Constitution, altering current eminent domain practices for active farmland.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's voter registration commissioner to move voters with mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable to an inactive file. If such voters fail to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, they will be removed from the statewide voter registration system and transferred to a deleted file. Voters must receive notices about their inactive status, the removal decision, and final removal. The commissioner must retain undeliverable ballots for two years. The bill directly affects voters whose mail-in ballots cannot be delivered to their current address.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires dental clinics operated by public university dental schools (like Rutgers) to give priority scheduling to 100% disabled veterans seeking oral health care. It mandates that clinics schedule appointments for these veterans within 30 days of their request, ensuring timely access to treatment. The policy directly affects veterans who are permanently 100% disabled per U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adjudication and reside in New Jersey. The law applies to all public institution dental clinics participating in extramural networks, with rules to be developed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any New Jersey state website providing reproductive rights information to also include easily accessible details about adoption services and resources for pregnant women and new mothers who wish to give birth. It mandates the Health Commissioner, with input from other state agencies, to develop and publish comprehensive adoption information and support resources on the Department of Health's website, including links to adoption services and financial assistance. The law applies to all state-operated websites offering reproductive rights content and specifies that the added information must cover adoption benefits and pregnancy/birth support resources. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A-169 bans foreign governments and foreign persons (including non-citizens, foreign-owned businesses, and entities controlled by foreign interests) from acquiring or owning agricultural/horticultural land or agricultural woodlands in the state. Existing foreign owners must sell or transfer their land within five years, with a deed attached requiring the land to remain in agricultural use. Exceptions allow limited transfers for debt collection or inheritance, but new foreign ownership is prohibited after the bill's effective date. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to purchase or control New Jersey farmland or forested agricultural areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 872) prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or asking about vaccination status as a condition for accessing many services or activities. It directly affects individuals who have not been vaccinated by making it illegal for employers, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and public venues to deny access, employment, or services based on vaccine status or refusal to disclose it. Key provisions ban such requirements across 15 areas, including employment, education, healthcare, business entry, and public spaces. Violators face civil penalties of $25,000 plus attorney fees for each violation. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.