Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill updates protections for military personnel who are victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or neglect. It allows service members (including National Guard and Reserve members) to file for protective orders in any New Jersey court, regardless of where the incident occurred. The bill also removes fees for applicants, clarifies procedures for minors and victims with disabilities, and specifies that military protective orders can be used to initiate state court applications. It directly affects military victims and streamlines access to legal protections without requiring criminal charges first.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% price preference for businesses owned by women veterans or women actively serving in the U.S. military when bidding on New Jersey state contracts paid with public funds. Qualified businesses must be independently owned, have their main office in New Jersey, be at least 51% owned/controlled by eligible women, and have daily operations managed by them. If such a business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% preference, the state must award it the contract. The preference also continues if a woman owner dies and her spouse assumes ownership of the business.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual cigarette and tobacco tax revenue allocated to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $10 million and creates a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the state treasury. The fund will be managed by the State Treasurer and used exclusively for grants and contracts supporting general cancer research and pediatric cancer research, with at least $5 million each year designated for each category. By establishing a revolving fund, the bill ensures that money and any earned interest remain available for future research projects rather than being transferred to the general budget each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal protections for people who have been forced into debt through coercion, fraud, or economic abuse by shifting financial responsibility to the person who caused the debt. It allows victims to go to court to have the debt removed from their name and prevents creditors, collection agencies, and credit bureaus from pursuing collection or using the debt in credit scoring. If a court finds someone responsible for coerced debt, they must pay the debt and reimburse the victim for any financial losses, while creditors are barred from collecting from the victim but may still pursue the perpetrator. The law also requires agencies to remove references to the coerced debt from files within 10 days after receiving a court order and imposes penalties on those who violate the act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that medication be administered only by a registered nurse or a certified medication aide working under a nurse's supervision in licensed residential programs and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that parents or legal guardians provide detailed medical documentation with specific medication instructions and dosages before admission and whenever a medication or dosage is changed. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Human Services to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires boat owners in New Jersey to receive information about different types of US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices when applying for a vessel number. The key provisions mandate that the state's motor vehicle commission include details on when each type of life jacket is required versus recommended, and that applicants acknowledge receipt of this information. Additionally, the bill establishes standards for approved boat safety courses, which must include instruction on personal flotation devices and require a written exam to be completed by an instructor. These changes directly affect boat owners, safety course providers, and the state agencies responsible for vessel registration and safety education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to submit detailed documentation before procuring certain large-scale information technology projects. Specifically, agencies must provide a written business case for any IT project exceeding $2.5 million, which must include details on the project's need, budget, operational impacts, available options, anticipated benefits, risk analysis, and change management assessment. Additionally, agencies must submit a change management plan for projects over $2.5 million that involve multiple agencies or significantly alter existing business processes, and these plans must be shared with several state offices including the Office of Information Technology and the Office of Management and Budget. The documentation must be submitted at least 30 days before requesting state funds or issuing procurement documents, and agencies may consult with external experts to develop these plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to minimize the economic impact on all municipalities when developing new rules, expanding protections previously limited to small municipalities. It mandates that agencies use flexible compliance approaches, such as different reporting requirements for smaller communities, performance-based standards instead of strict design specifications, or exemptions where public safety is not at risk. Additionally, agencies must include a flexibility analysis in their rule proposals that estimates costs and compliance needs for local governments. The change applies to all municipalities regardless of size, ensuring broader consideration of local budget constraints when state regulations are proposed.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create guidelines for incorporating outdoor education opportunities into public school curricula. The guidelines must outline methods for expanding outdoor learning experiences like field trips and provide resources and training for teachers on outdoor learning best practices. School districts are encouraged to adopt these guidelines in their elementary and secondary programs, subject to available funding. The legislation applies to the first full school year following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that gifting marijuana or cannabis is prohibited under New Jersey's cannabis regulatory laws. It directly affects individuals and businesses by defining when the transfer of cannabis without payment is legal versus when it constitutes an illegal distribution. The key provision allows adults 21 and older to transfer up to one ounce of cannabis to another adult of legal age for personal, non-business purposes, but explicitly prohibits transferring cannabis for promotional or business purposes, which would be treated as illegal distribution. Additionally, the bill maintains restrictions on smoking, vaping, or aerosolizing cannabis in public places, with limited exceptions for designated consumption areas and certain lodging establishments.