Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryBill A5414 prohibits New Jersey state-chartered banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions from requiring disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (or their surviving spouses) to disclose anticipated property tax obligations in mortgage applications. Financial institutions must instead rely on a certification from the municipality assessor confirming the applicant meets all eligibility requirements for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption, excluding property ownership for new home purchases or including ownership for refinancing. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to create a certification form and publish a list of participating financial institutions. This policy change removes a specific disclosure requirement from mortgage underwriting for qualifying veterans, directly affecting their application process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5419) prohibits licensed health care professionals in New Jersey from providing medical, surgical, or therapeutic gender-affirming care to individuals under 21 years old. It specifically defines "gender-affirming health care services" to include medications and treatments for gender dysphoria but explicitly excludes behavioral, mental, or psychiatric care. Violating this prohibition subjects professionals to disciplinary action for professional misconduct under existing laws. The law takes immediate effect and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs and Health Department to adopt implementing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that medications in New Jersey's community-based residential programs (like group homes and supervised apartments) and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities must be administered only by a nurse or a certified medication aide working under a nurse's direct supervision. It mandates that parents or legal guardians must provide detailed medical documentation of medication instructions and dosages to the program's chief nurse before admission and whenever a medication or dosage changes. The bill directly affects residential facilities, day programs, their staff, and families managing medications for individuals with developmental disabilities. It defines key terms like "community-based residential program" and "day program" to clarify which facilities and services are covered.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5303) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide policy for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: (1) using audio/video recordings in undercover operations to protect investigations and victims, (2) strict rules for sharing such recordings, (3) involving county prosecutors early in investigations, and (4) other relevant areas. The review responds to a 2024 Commission report on human trafficking in the massage industry. This policy update will affect law enforcement agencies conducting human trafficking investigations statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires human trafficking awareness signs to be displayed in four languages - English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean - instead of the current two (English and Spanish). It applies to businesses and facilities already mandated to display such signs, including strip clubs, massage businesses, airports, bars, hotels, and emergency rooms. The signs must meet specific size and font requirements (8.5x11 inches, 16-point font) and include the national human trafficking hotline information. The change follows a 2024 State Commission of Investigation report recommending expanded language accessibility for vulnerable communities. The law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to publicly report provisional ballot data for each election district during primary and general elections. Starting on election day (not the following day), counties must post online updates every 24 hours showing the number of provisional ballots cast and their results in each district, along with early voting and election-day totals. County clerks must also provide a final report within 30 days of election certification detailing all provisional ballots counted per district. These reports will be posted on county websites and the state election division site, making election results more transparent in real time. The bill amends existing law to require district-level detail and earlier reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands when juveniles aged 15+ can be sent to adult court for motor vehicle theft. It adds "theft or unlawful taking of a motor vehicle" to the list of offenses eligible for waiver to adult court, but only if the juvenile has previously been found delinquent for a similar offense. The bill also clarifies that using a minor (under 18) in vehicle theft is a strict liability crime, meaning adults cannot claim they mistakenly believed the minor was older. This makes the offense a second-degree crime punishable by 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, established by the 1950 Dingell-Johnson Act. The program funds conservation and habitat restoration for sportfish populations using excise taxes paid by fishing and boating equipment users. New Jersey benefits from this program through restored fish populations (like striped bass and brook trout), improved habitats, and support for recreational fishing jobs. The resolution directs copies to New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.