Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThe Anthony's Legacy Act (A4989) requires New Jersey courts to give special consideration to grandparents applying for visitation rights if they are Gold Star family members - defined as relatives (such as spouses, parents, children, or legal guardians) of service members who died while on active military duty due to enemy action, accident, or disease. Currently, courts evaluate visitation applications based on factors like the child-grandparent relationship and family dynamics, but this bill mandates that Gold Star grandparents receive heightened attention under those considerations. The law does not alter the existing requirement that applicants must still prove visitation serves the child's best interests. It directly affects grandparents who lost a family member in military service when seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners and operators of rooming and boarding houses to follow local zoning, fire, health, and building regulations - previously exempt from such oversight. It specifically adds a requirement for cooperative sober living residences to submit written approvals from local authorities (zoning, fire, health, and building) when applying for a state Class F license. The bill amends existing law to explicitly subject these facilities to municipal land use regulations, removing an exemption that previously prevented such oversight. These changes directly affect property owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to obtain legislative approval before starting any plan, program, or project costing over $1 million that hasn't been included in the BPU's approved annual budget. The BPU must submit a detailed written explanation outlining the project, its cost, goals, and justification for extra funding. The legislature then must approve or disapprove through a resolution, with inaction by year's end automatically denying the project. Emergency projects related to federally declared disasters are exempt and only require a 30-day report to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exclude certain retirement savings contributions, qualified withdrawals, and rollovers from New Jersey's gross income tax calculation. It specifically applies to contributions to 401(k) plans, 401(a) pension plans, 403(b) annuity plans, 457 deferred compensation plans, Thrift Savings Plans, and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Qualified withdrawals from these accounts and rollovers from Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs would not count toward taxable income. The policy aims to provide tax advantages for retirement savings, potentially encouraging more New Jersey residents to save for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It requires the DEP to develop a statewide plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening structures or water quality), and creating a ranked list of reclamation projects. The program will use a new "Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Fund" to finance projects - either through direct DEP action, grants to municipalities, or private landowners - without requiring property owners to pay. The fund will collect federal grants, state appropriations, and donations to address risks like mine subsidence and water degradation across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1700) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal anxiety and develop policies for healthcare providers. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women (within one year of childbirth), healthcare providers (including doctors and nurse midwives), and birthing facilities. Key provisions mandate that providers screen patients for perinatal anxiety at least once per pregnancy trimester, before discharge after birth, and during early postpartum visits - using either the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also educate patients and family members about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources, with a focus on including partners and caregivers in the support process.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt poll workers' wages from being counted toward unemployment compensation calculations. Currently, earnings from poll work could reduce or eliminate an individual's unemployment benefits. The bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to specifically exclude wages earned by members of district boards of elections from being considered "employment" for unemployment benefit purposes. This change would directly affect individuals who serve as poll workers during elections and seek unemployment benefits afterward.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program for New Jersey legislators, allowing each member to hire interns using up to $10,000 annually from a $1.2 million state appropriation. It requires interns to be full- or part-time students at accredited higher education institutions (excluding law and PhD programs), with New Jersey residents or students at NJ schools receiving priority. Participants complete at least one work period in a legislator's district office and receive a $1,000 stipend per period, paid bi-weekly or monthly. The program aims to provide practical experience for students while supporting legislative staff capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system for approved agencies to facilitate temporary placements of vulnerable individuals (infants, children under 18, parents under 21 with infants, or pregnant women under 21) in volunteers' homes during crisis situations like homelessness, domestic violence, or lack of safe housing. Approved agencies must conduct home studies that include child abuse registry checks and state/federal criminal history checks for prospective volunteers and all household members 18 or older, with costs paid by the prospective volunteer. Agencies must provide weekly oversight, assist parents in restoring stability, and maintain records of all background checks and home study determinations before placements occur. The Department of Children and Families must review and approve all home studies prior to placement. This bill amends existing confidentiality laws to permit disclosure of child abuse registry information to prospective volunteers for these temporary placements.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives license renewal fees for licensed professionals and business registration fees for qualifying small businesses affected by public highway projects. It applies to professionals (e.g., licensed contractors, consultants) and small businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) operating in areas where highway construction disrupts traffic or access, causing significant income loss. To qualify, applicants must apply to the relevant state director (Division of Consumer Affairs or Division of Revenue), provide documentation of reduced income, and confirm their business is in an "impacted construction zone." The fee waiver covers all applicable fees due during the active construction period, which begins when work starts and ends when the project concludes.