Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1408) amends New Jersey law to require human trafficking awareness signs at specific establishments - including massage businesses, hotels, airports, hospitals, and transportation hubs - to include Chinese and Korean translations, in addition to English and Spanish. The signs must be at least 8.5x11 inches, printed in 16-point font, and displayed in visible locations like restrooms and dressing rooms. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The change responds directly to a 2024 Commission of Investigation report on human trafficking in New Jersey’s massage industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now law as P.L.2025, c.272, provides employment protections for New Jersey paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 9-1-1 dispatchers) diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against employees who take leave for qualifying PTSD treatment, requiring reinstatement to their previous position after documented recovery. Employers violating these protections face civil fines ($5,000 for first violation, $10,000 for subsequent), court-ordered reinstatement, lost wages, and attorney fees. The law applies only when PTSD arises from on-the-job trauma or vicarious trauma experienced during official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to provide any school district with a request the specific data, software algorithms, and detailed calculations used to determine state school aid. It mandates disclosure of all data for every district - including how adequacy budgets, equalization aid, and local shares are calculated, adjusted when local shares exceed budgets, and the reconciliation showing total local share plus equalization aid equals statewide adequacy budgets. The DOE must share this information regardless of whether the software is considered proprietary. This transparency measure aims to help school districts verify that state aid formulas are applied correctly under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 84) expressing New Jersey's support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks. It condemns Hamas as a terrorist organization, details the attacks' casualties (including 1,400 Israelis killed and 30 Americans), and states the resolution "stands with Israel as it defends itself." The resolution has no legal effect; it will be formally transmitted to Israel's leadership, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. It directly affects no individuals or policies, serving only as a symbolic statement of support.

Maddy summaryACR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for veterans from $250 to $1,250, effective 2024. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who reside in New Jersey, allowing them to deduct this larger amount from property taxes or have taxes canceled if the bill is below $1,250. The amendment would require voter approval at the next general election following its passage. This change updates a long-standing provision that previously capped the deduction at $250. The bill does not alter eligibility requirements for veterans or surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how energy tax payments are handled in New Jersey. It requires energy companies (like gas, electric, and utility providers) to pay their taxes directly to local municipalities instead of the state, ensuring the full $740 million annual property tax relief aid is distributed directly to towns and cities. The State Treasurer will determine each municipality's share based on historical payments and direct energy taxpayers to make payments to specific local governments. This replaces the previous system where the state collected taxes and redistributed funds, aiming to streamline relief for municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (AR 18) directs New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal and amend specific parts of the 2018 Law Enforcement Directive (No. 2018-6), which previously restricted state and local law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities like ICE. It specifically targets the restriction on sharing citizenship/immigration status details, allowing law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration agencies when necessary for public safety. The bill preserves exceptions for T-Visa (human trafficking victims) and U-Visa (crime victim) certification procedures. It directly affects New Jersey police departments, sheriffs' offices, and state law enforcement agencies by removing legal barriers to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates a 17-member Military Suicide Prevention Task Force within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Human Services. The task force includes military leaders, veterans, mental health experts, and representatives from state agencies, with specific requirements for veteran representation and expertise in areas like PTSD and military sexual trauma. Its key duties are to review military suicide issues, identify evidence-based prevention strategies, recommend state actions (including legislation), and submit biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The task force directly affects active-duty service members, veterans, and state agencies responsible for military and veteran services in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the tax on cigars in New Jersey to a maximum of $0.50 per cigar, replacing the previous percentage-based tax structure for this product. It directly affects cigar manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase cigars within the state. The key change specifies that the tax on cigars cannot exceed $0.50 per unit, regardless of wholesale price, while maintaining existing tax rates for other tobacco products like e-liquids and snuff. The bill amends New Jersey's tobacco tax law (P.L.1990, c.39) to clarify this cap for cigars specifically.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2364) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to notify specific veteran organizations, county officers, and municipal registers when individuals are buried or cremated in state veteran cemeteries. It amends state law to mandate that the DVA provide these entities with the names of deceased veterans interred or cremated at state facilities. The key mechanism is a new notification requirement, ensuring these groups receive timely burial/cremation information. This affects veteran service organizations, local government officials, and municipal record-keepers who may need this data for community services or historical records. (Note: The bill was withdrawn as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.229.)