Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Parents Bill of Rights Act," granting parents and guardians specific rights regarding their child's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow them to review classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permits opting children out of any curriculum conflicting with the parent's moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties for the student. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students enrolled in New Jersey public schools. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-167) requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval before implementing changes to core curriculum standards or statewide assessments. Specifically, any revision to these standards or assessments must be submitted to the Legislature, which must vote on a concurrent resolution within 45 days to approve or disapprove the change. If disapproved, the change cannot be implemented; if approved, it takes effect. This directly affects the State Board of Education (which develops standards) and the Legislature (which must vote on changes), shifting authority from the Board to the elected Legislature for these education policy decisions.

Maddy summaryACR 13 proposes a constitutional amendment to restore the death penalty in New Jersey for specific murder convictions, reversing a 2007 law that abolished it. The amendment requires the legislature to create new laws specifying that death sentences can only be imposed if a jury or judge finds "no doubt" that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating factors, and if no juror or judge has lingering doubt. It also sets strict deadlines: the New Jersey Supreme Court must issue death penalty appeal rulings within 150 days, and final appeals must be filed within one year after U.S. Supreme Court decisions. This would directly affect individuals convicted of certain intentional murders, altering both the legal standard for sentencing and the timeline for appeals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 303) allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to volunteering at their local fire department for two years. The credits apply only to specific graduation requirements (N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1) and do not count toward membership in the Junior Firefighter’s Auxiliary. The bill takes effect immediately for the next full school year after enactment. It directly affects students seeking alternative pathways to meet graduation requirements through fire safety training.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 912) requires New Jersey school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material in school libraries. It mandates that schools establish clear criteria for library materials, prohibit obscene content, ensure all staff comply with state obscenity laws (N.J.S.2C:34-3), and create procedures to investigate staff who distribute such material to students. The Commissioner of Education must provide guidance on identifying obscene material, recommending disciplinary actions (including termination for criminal violations), and when to involve law enforcement. Noncompliant school districts risk state funding sanctions, directly affecting school boards, library staff, and students' access to library resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates two fees on high-end residential real estate transactions: a "general purpose fee" and a one percent assessment. It specifically applies to purchases of residential properties selling for more than $1,000,000, removing these costs from the property transfer fee structure. The legislation amends existing laws (P.L.1968, c.49 and P.L.2004, c.66) to delete these fee provisions. It directly affects buyers and sellers of luxury homes above the $1 million threshold in New Jersey. The change simplifies the transfer fee process for these high-value transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey hospitals and birthing facilities to show new parents (and any adult family members present at birth) a water safety video before discharge. The video covers drowning risks in bathtubs/pools, importance of swimming lessons, life jacket use, and pool safety features like anti-entrapment drains. Facilities must incorporate this viewing into standard discharge procedures. The video will be created and distributed by the state Department of Health via website or electronic means. It directly affects new parents and newborns in New Jersey hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill makes intentionally damaging or defacing military monuments a serious criminal offense (third-degree crime). It specifically targets monuments erected to honor military personnel or commemorate battles, defining "desecration" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such sites. The law applies directly to individuals who intentionally harm these monuments, with penalties including criminal charges. It clarifies that only monuments with military intent - such as those honoring service members or marking battles - are covered under this provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring certain municipalities to adopt rules controlling tree removal and replacement. It specifically applies to Tier A municipalities under the state's stormwater program - those meeting criteria like being in urban areas with high population density, specific stormwater systems, or designated discharge points. The law stops the DEP from enforcing this requirement, which was recently added to the stormwater permit program in 2023. The change affects only Tier A municipalities, not all local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement agencies - including municipal, county, and state police departments, as well as educational institutions with campus police - to adopt written policies for cooperating with federal immigration authorities upon request. It defines "law enforcement officer" broadly to include those with arrest powers under state law. The bill also mandates that the state defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (unless misconduct occurred) and cover settlement costs for officers following the policy. This directly affects thousands of officers across New Jersey’s 566 municipalities and educational institutions with police forces. The policy change would standardize cooperation with federal immigration enforcement at the local level.