Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's tax credit for family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities by removing the requirement that a veteran's disability must have occurred during a conflict after September 11, 2001. The credit, equal to 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation or $675 (whichever is less), now applies to caregivers of veterans whose disabilities arose from any active military service, provided the veteran meets other existing criteria: honorable discharge, VA total disability rating, and at least six months of residency in New Jersey with the caregiver. Caregivers must be New Jersey residents related within the third degree by blood, meet income limits ($50,000 for single filers or $100,000 for joint filers), and provide care to the veteran. The credit remains refundable and subject to the same administrative rules as under current law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill makes several changes to address sexual assault and child abuse involving military personnel. It allows military protective orders to be enforced throughout the state, creates a central registry for all protective orders (including military ones), and enables service members to seek protective orders in New Jersey courts. The bill provides financial assistance to National Guard members for travel expenses related to military justice proceedings involving sexual assault, and expands eligibility for victim compensation for military sexual assault victims. Additionally, it establishes procedures for sharing information between civilian child welfare authorities and military family advocacy programs.

Maddy summaryThe bill would broaden veterans' benefits eligibility by removing specific war or conflict service requirements. Instead of needing to have served during designated wars (like World War II or Vietnam), veterans would only need at least 90 days of active duty service (excluding basic training), or Reserve members would need to serve the full period called to active duty. Veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities would qualify regardless of service duration. This change would expand access to benefits including civil service hiring preference, retirement allowances, and the ability to purchase military service credit for retirement.

Maddy summaryAJR 169 is a ceremonial resolution designating The Growing Stage Children's Theatre of New Jersey as New Jersey's official state children's theatre. It recognizes the theatre's 43-year history of providing performing arts education and productions to children and families across the state, including outreach to underserved communities. The resolution does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes - it solely serves as a symbolic honorific designation. The theatre, based in Netcong, is acknowledged for its role in introducing children to theatre through over 100 productions and 1,500+ performances since 1994.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's tax foreclosure process for properties that were the homeowner's primary residence. Currently, if a homeowner fails to pay taxes and a tax lien holder forecloses after two years, the homeowner loses the property and all equity. Under this bill, the court would order an online auction of the property instead of granting full ownership to the tax lien holder. Proceeds from the auction would first cover the tax lien holder's costs (including unpaid taxes, interest, and legal fees), then municipal liens, with any remaining funds returned to the homeowner to secure new housing. This change ensures homeowners retain funds after foreclosure to avoid homelessness, while still compensating the tax lien holder and municipality.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4147) changes how New Jersey municipalities can count affordable housing units toward their fair share obligation under the state's affordable housing law. Municipalities would receive credit for one unit per bedroom in community residences (such as group homes, halfway houses, and supervised apartment living arrangements), and two units for each very low income housing unit or special needs housing project. These changes would make it easier for municipalities to meet their affordable housing requirements by counting certain housing types more favorably toward their quota. The bill directly affects municipalities that must comply with New Jersey's affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from being counted as "vacant" for affordable housing requirements under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act. It specifically applies to land regulated by agencies like the Highlands Water Protection Council (for Highlands Preservation/Planning Areas), the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, or the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act. Municipalities must no longer count such land toward their affordable housing obligation, meaning they aren't required to use these areas for housing projects. The change clarifies that land under active state or federal environmental regulation - such as wetlands, flood zones, or conservation areas - is automatically excluded from housing calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires websites and online platforms to verify the age of users attempting to access content containing a "substantial portion" of material harmful to minors (defined as content with over one-third harmful material, such as explicit sexual content or lacking artistic value for minors). It applies to entities like social media platforms and websites, prohibiting minors under 18 from accessing such content unless the platform verifies their age and confirms the content is suitable for them. Platforms must use reasonable age verification methods (e.g., digital ID checks) and follow division-established standards for content suitability. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee after being introduced on April 4, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (NJ EITC) by gradually raising the state match rate from 40% to 45% over five years, resulting in larger tax refunds for eligible low-income residents. It expands eligibility to include taxpayers with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) who qualify for the federal credit but lack Social Security numbers, and exempts married victims of domestic abuse from the joint filing requirement if they meet specific criteria (living apart from their spouse, experiencing abuse within three years, and filing separately). These changes directly affect New Jersey workers and families earning low wages, particularly those previously ineligible due to documentation barriers or domestic violence circumstances. The bill ensures more residents can access this refundable tax credit without requiring joint federal filing in cases of abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a misdemeanor to send unsolicited naked photos or videos via electronic means without the recipient's consent. It specifically targets individuals who knowingly transmit such material to people who did not request it or give explicit permission. If the sender knows the recipient is a child under 13 or someone with a mental condition unable to understand the sexual nature of the image, it becomes a more serious offense punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law directly affects anyone who sends unsolicited sexually explicit images electronically, with stricter penalties when vulnerable recipients are involved.