Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's pension and retirement income tax exclusion to include taxpayers with incomes above $150,000, while increasing the maximum exclusion amount. Qualifying taxpayers aged 62+ or disabled receiving retirement income can now exclude up to $150,000 of that income plus 50% of amounts between $150,000 and $300,000 annually. Currently, those earning over $150,000 received reduced exclusions (e.g., 25% for married couples), but this bill eliminates that income-based reduction. The change applies to all eligible retirees regardless of income level, as long as total retirement income does not exceed $300,000 per year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction site employers in New Jersey to provide separate toilet facilities for each gender, with one facility per 20 employees or fraction thereof. For sites with four or fewer workers, a single all-gender facility is permitted if it meets specific conditions. Facilities must be kept clean, private, and equipped with toilet paper, soap/water for handwashing (or sanitizer where not feasible), and adequate lighting during night shifts. These standards apply to all construction employers, including state agencies, and aim to improve on federal OSHA guidelines by mandating gender separation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public employees and officers to forfeit their pension benefits upon conviction of certain crimes related to their public duties, including theft, bribery, perjury, and sexual assault. It specifies that pension forfeiture applies to 24 listed crimes and any first or second degree crime involving public office or employment. The bill also allows pensions to be garnished to pay restitution for misuse of public funds. Public employees would receive a refund of their pension contributions (with or without interest, at the board's discretion) but would lose their earned pension benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3730) updates civil remedies for New Jersey residents who suffer privacy violations from unauthorized recording or disclosure of sexual or intimate images. It allows victims to sue in Superior Court anonymously using a pseudonym or initials, request sealed court records to protect their identity, and seek damages. Key changes include raising the minimum liquidated damages per violation from $1,000 to $10,000 (considering factors like the actor’s age and frequency of violations) and permitting recovery of any financial gain the actor earned from the disclosure. Exceptions to liability include disclosures made to law enforcement, for medical treatment, or in reporting unlawful conduct. The bill specifically protects parents, guardians, or "consistent caretakers" from liability when disclosing a child’s image for non-harmful reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for defendants charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. Under this law, such defendants would typically remain jailed before trial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions (like bail or supervision) would ensure their court appearance and public safety. The bill adds this offense to the existing list of crimes triggering this presumption, which currently includes murder and crimes punishable by life imprisonment. This change shifts the burden to the defendant to overcome the presumption, while the prosecution must still establish probable cause for the underlying crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a sexual assault prevention training program for high school athletic coaches and directors in public and nonpublic schools. The training must cover preventing sexual assault, identifying signs of assault, and connecting victims to medical, legal, and counseling services. All coaches and athletic directors must complete this training every four years, with new hires required to finish it within their first year. The program must be updated periodically to reflect current prevention practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to close on November 11th each year for Veterans Day, replacing their current discretion to choose holiday dates. It directly affects school districts, students, and staff by mandating a school holiday on Veterans Day rather than allowing local decisions. The key provision prohibits school boards from opening schools on November 11th, ensuring consistent observance. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 145 designates the month of March as "Military and Law Enforcement Working Dogs Month" in New Jersey to honor the service and sacrifice of military and law enforcement working dogs and their handlers. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. This is a symbolic recognition with no new legal requirements, funding, or obligations, solely focused on commemoration. It highlights the historical role of working dogs since the U.S. Army's K-9 Corps began in 1942 and their ongoing contributions to national security and law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Parole Board to immediately revoke parole for any parolee arrested or indicted for assaulting a law enforcement officer or threatening to kill or cause physical harm to an officer (or their family member), provided the threat causes the officer to believe the threat is imminent and likely to be carried out. It directly affects parolees convicted of such offenses, including those threatening retired officers due to their former status. The key mechanism removes the current requirement for the Parole Board to determine if charges are "serious" before proceeding, mandating automatic revocation proceedings upon arrest for these specific acts. The bill applies to threats against family members defined as spouses, parents, children living with the officer, or other relatives residing with them.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Moose's Law," prohibits people convicted of animal cruelty offenses (in New Jersey or other jurisdictions) from owning pets or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses like pet stores, shelters, veterinary clinics, or animal breeding operations. It requires these businesses to conduct criminal background checks on employees and volunteers to ensure they haven't been convicted of animal cruelty. Courts can order pet forfeiture for offenders and prohibit pet ownership for periods of at least two years, or longer based on offense severity. The bill exempts farms, livestock operations, and academic research institutions from these requirements.