Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill bans most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization (conception), requiring physicians to determine the unborn child's post-fertilization age before performing an abortion. It directly affects women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and physicians who perform such procedures. Key exceptions allow abortions for: (1) life-threatening medical conditions of the pregnant person; (2) rape (if reported to authorities and 48-hour counseling is obtained); or (3) incest involving minors (if reported). If an abortion occurs under an exception and the child survives, the bill requires a neonatal care specialist to be present to provide life-saving care.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 905) establishes new licensing and operational standards for residential mental health treatment facilities in New Jersey. It requires these facilities to provide 24/7 structured care consistent with clinical best practices, focus on helping patients transition to lower-level community care, and prohibit retrospective reviews of medical necessity. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, meet specific ownership and compliance standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use treatment programs. The bill directly affects residential mental health facilities, their patients, and operators by creating a formal licensing process and defining clear operational requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 873) amends New Jersey's existing small business loan program to require the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to ensure at least 12% of all loan funds distributed annually go to veteran-owned or veteran-controlled small businesses. It prioritizes businesses owned by veterans declared to have service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Defense. The EDA must administer the program to meet this allocation goal while maintaining existing eligibility rules for all small businesses. This directly affects veteran entrepreneurs seeking loans and the EDA's oversight of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's definition of "firearm" to explicitly clarify that BB guns are not considered firearms under state law. It directly affects recreational BB gun owners, manufacturers, and retailers by removing these devices from firearm regulations. The key provision updates the legal definition to exclude air guns using compressed air or CO2 to fire .177-caliber pellets at under 500 feet per second. This change prevents misclassification of BB guns under firearm laws, ensuring they are not subject to firearm licensing, registration, or possession restrictions.

Maddy summaryACR 55 creates a special legislative committee to investigate costs in New Jersey's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases for state health benefits, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations about Governor's Office interference in Treasury staff decisions, and the implementation of a 2019 law establishing fund subaccounts and third-party reviews. This procedural resolution does not change policy but mandates a fact-finding investigation to inform future legislative decisions. The committee’s report will recommend potential policy changes after reviewing these specific issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts local government entities from annual environmental remediation fees when they acquire contaminated property through specific involuntary means (like bankruptcy, tax foreclosure, eminent domain, or redevelopment efforts). It directly affects municipalities and counties that inherit such properties, removing a financial obligation under two key environmental laws: the Site Remediation Reform Act and the Brownfield and Contaminated Site Remediation Act. The exemption applies only to fees for contamination that existed *before* the government entity gained ownership. This change aligns with existing liability exemptions but eliminates the annual fee burden for these properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows corrections officers, firefighters, and police officers to administer epinephrine auto-injectors (allergy shots) after completing a state-approved training program. It requires these personnel to receive certification to administer, maintain, and dispose of the devices, with training approved by the Commissioner of Health. The law specifically includes county/state corrections officers, firefighters employed or volunteering for public fire departments, and State/county/municipal police officers. This clarifies existing law to explicitly permit these public safety workers to provide emergency allergy treatment.

Maddy summaryACR 56 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to pass the federal "Fix Our Forests Act." It does not create new state law but formally requests congressional action to address wildfire risks in New Jersey forests, which experience about 1,500 wildfires annually damaging 7,000 acres. The resolution highlights that the proposed federal act would establish a data-driven Fireshed Center to assess wildfire risks and support forest management practices like prescribed burns and tree thinning. This resolution directly affects New Jersey residents by seeking federal tools to protect forests, communities, and public health from increasing wildfire threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities to reimburse New Jersey state or local governments for costs incurred when securing dangerous conditions on utility-controlled property. It applies when governments deploy personnel to protect the public from hazards like downed power lines, but only after notifying the utility and deploying staff themselves. Utilities can avoid reimbursement by addressing the hazard within one hour of notification. The bill also mandates a standardized fee schedule based on federal disaster relief cost guidelines to streamline reimbursement claims.