Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryAJR 228 designates the first Sunday in May each year as "Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Day" in New Jersey to honor volunteer and career firefighters who died in the line of duty. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance and urges all state and local government agencies to fly the U.S. and New Jersey flags at half-staff on this day. It directly affects New Jersey residents through state and local government actions, referencing 145 on-duty firefighter fatalities reported in the state between 1990 and 2024. The resolution is purely ceremonial, aligning New Jersey's observance with the existing National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Day recognized by the federal government.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing Schedule I or II controlled dangerous substances. It reclassifies offenses: for example, distributing one ounce or more of such drugs becomes a first-degree crime (previously second degree), and distributing half an ounce to one ounce becomes a second-degree crime (previously third degree). The bill also raises maximum fines for first-degree offenses to $500,000 and for third-degree offenses to $75,000. These changes apply to most Schedule I and II drugs, excluding specific substances already covered under stricter penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5833) creates a grant program for New Jersey school districts to fund substance abuse prevention programs specifically for eighth-grade students. The program requires two main components: (1) workshops for school staff and parents on recognizing substance abuse risks, and (2) a four-phase student education program involving rehab residents, family members, correctional facility inmates, and positive role models. School districts must certify funding sources (district funds, private donations, or federal funds) and apply for grants through the Commissioner of Education. Students may opt out if parents provide a signed statement citing religious or moral conflict, with no academic penalties.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires law enforcement officers to follow specific procedures when a parent or guardian requests removing a child from a home where illegal drugs are suspected to be used in the child's presence. Officers must secure and remove the drugs as evidence, immediately forward the request to child protective services for investigation, and coordinate with investigators. The law directly affects parents/guardians making such requests, police officers, and child protective services workers. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5835) requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mandatory training on their role as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. The training, developed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP) and the Division of Criminal Justice, covers officers' legal responsibilities and standard response protocols for child abuse reports. It must be included in initial officer training (within 90 days of hire/transfer), provided triennially during in-service training, and completed by all existing officers within 36 months of the law's effective date. The DCP must periodically assess and update the training curriculum to ensure effectiveness. This directly affects every local law enforcement officer in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the automatic presumption that defendants charged with repeat home invasion offenses will be released before trial. It specifically applies to individuals with prior convictions for home invasion burglary (C.2C:18-2.1) or residential burglary (C.2C:18-2.2) on separate occasions. Under current law, most defendants have a presumption of pretrial release, but this bill removes that presumption for these repeat offenders, requiring courts to evaluate detention instead. The change means judges must consider whether release would endanger the community or fail to ensure court appearance, rather than starting from a default of release.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 168) urges the U.S. Congress to pass the federal "HALT Fentanyl Act" (S.331), which would classify illegal fentanyl and related substances as Schedule I drugs under federal law. It directly addresses the crisis of illicit fentanyl trafficking, which the resolution states causes most fentanyl-related overdose deaths (70% of 107,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2023). The resolution notes that illegal fentanyl - often added to other drugs due to its potency and low cost - is responsible for the majority of overdoses, with lab tests finding fentanyl in 50% of sampled pills. New Jersey already treats illicit fentanyl as Schedule I under state law, and the resolution argues federal Schedule I classification would strengthen nationwide efforts to combat illegal manufacturing and trafficking.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's ACR 167 is a concurrent resolution urging Congress to pass H.R.128, which would direct the Department of Homeland Security to treat **illicit fentanyl** (not medical fentanyl) as a weapon of mass destruction under existing law. If enacted, this would classify illicit fentanyl - often mixed into illegal drugs without users' knowledge - as a WMD, aligning with the legal definition of toxic chemicals causing mass harm. The resolution specifically targets **illicit drug trafficking networks** and aims to empower federal agencies to disrupt international fentanyl manufacturing and distribution. It does not affect medical use of fentanyl or harm reduction efforts, as clarified in supporting House Resolution 1172.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates electrical linemen as "first responder electrical linemen" during weather-related emergencies declared by the Governor or President. It provides these workers with immunity from civil liability for good-faith actions while restoring power, except in cases of willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct. The bill also authorizes the State Police to issue special vehicle decals for linemen to display only during emergencies, with strict rules requiring removal after the emergency ends and penalties for misuse (including $100 fines for failure to return decals). Additionally, it amends emergency call systems to require public safety centers to route power service requests directly to these designated linemen during declared emergencies.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A4753 requires 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 and pools, importance of swimming instruction, life jacket use, and pool safety features like fences. Facilities must incorporate this video into standard discharge procedures, with the Department of Health creating and distributing the video via its website or electronic means. This applies to all licensed birthing facilities providing newborn care in the state.