Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2662 prohibits the online posting or publishing of personal identifying information - such as home addresses, photos, or names - about judicial officers (including federal, state, and municipal judges) or their immediate family members, when done with intent to cause harassment or harm, or in reckless disregard of such risk. It makes violations criminal offenses (third degree for intentional acts, fourth degree for reckless acts) and allows victims to sue for at least $1,000 per violation plus damages and attorney fees. The law also requires state/local government agencies to obtain written permission before sharing such information about judges or family members online. It directly affects judges, their households, and anyone publishing online content that could endanger them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to implement evidence-based early reading instruction for students in preschool through grade three. It mandates the Commissioner of Education to develop a literacy plan within one year that emphasizes phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension - while explicitly prohibiting the use of balanced literacy theory and the three-cueing model ("MSV"). School districts must adopt this instruction starting two years after enactment, and teachers must complete new certification requirements, including six academic credits in evidence-based methods. The bill directly affects all public school districts, teachers, and educator preparation programs in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3840) requires state legislators to obtain a fiscal note for any bill that creates a new government program or expands an existing one, if the state or a local government will cover the costs. Currently, fiscal notes are required for bills affecting state spending or revenue, but this bill specifically adds program creation and expansion to that requirement. The Legislative Budget and Finance Officer must request the fiscal note from the Treasury's Division of Budget and Accounting before the bill advances. This change applies immediately to all such bills introduced in the New Jersey Legislature. The bill is pending referral to the Assembly Oversight Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide free, periodic cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters, starting three years after they begin service. It covers 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and applies to all volunteer firefighters serving in fire districts, departments, or companies across the state. Physicians in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) must offer these screenings with no cost to firefighters, and the state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years. The bill extends existing paid firefighter benefits to unpaid volunteers, eliminating co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Greenwood Lake Fund" to dedicate $500,000 annually from New Jersey vessel registration and renewal fees toward protecting and maintaining Greenwood Lake. The fund, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, will support projects exclusively on the New Jersey side of the lake, including water quality, recreation, and conservation efforts. It ensures these funds can be used without requiring matching contributions from New York State, even when joint projects are needed. The lake provides drinking water for 3.5 million residents and is a major recreational area for boating and outdoor activities.

Maddy summaryBill A 1691 requires New Jersey school districts to close all schools on the day of any general election or primary election for a general election. This directly affects all public school districts across New Jersey by mandating closures on these specific election days, removing the current discretion school boards have to decide whether to close. The key provision (Section 1) states that school boards "shall close the schools" on these election days, replacing the existing law that allowed districts to set their own calendar. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1469) allows state, county, and local governments to create "special event zones" around large gatherings (25+ attendees or approved events) to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, authorities can temporarily lower speed limits and ban "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like tire screeching or driving on vehicle roofs). Drivers violating speed limits or exhibition driving rules in these zones face higher fines - up to $1,000 - and additional penalties for certain offenses. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable time before/after, with clear signage indicating restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows non-U.S. citizen military service members (who haven't renounced U.S. citizenship) to take New Jersey civil service exams and qualify for veterans' preference. It directly affects active-duty service members in the U.S. military who are not citizens but maintain U.S. citizenship status. Key provisions require these individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship 10 business days before employment lists are issued, and to meet standard veteran status criteria (discharge under honorable conditions, service records, etc.). The bill updates New Jersey's civil service rules to align with veterans' preference eligibility for this group during active service.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's school restraint and seclusion rules to apply to **all students** (previously limited to students with disabilities). It requires schools to: 1) Use physical restraint or seclusion **only in emergencies** posing immediate danger, 2) **Notify parents immediately** (by phone/electronic message) and provide a written report within 48 hours, 3) **Collect and report annual data** to the Department of Education (DOE) on usage, including student demographics like race, gender, and disability type. The DOE must publish this data publicly while protecting student privacy, and schools must hold meetings with parents for repeated incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2.5% surtax known as the "Corporate Transit Fee" that applied to corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million during tax periods starting in 2024-2028. It directly affects large corporations paying the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) in New Jersey, eliminating their requirement to pay this additional fee for future tax periods. The fee, which generated revenue for NJ Transit operations and capital projects starting in 2026, is now removed from law. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, applying to all tax periods beginning after the bill’s passage.