Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's transportation authorities - including the Department of Transportation, Turnpike Authority, and others - to install rescue kits on all bridges over 100 feet long that cross waterways. Each kit must contain a rescue tube and life jacket for use by emergency responders in drowning incidents. The installation must be completed within six months of the law's effective date. The bill directly affects bridges under these agencies' jurisdiction, aiming to improve rapid response capabilities during water-related emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000 annually, effective for tax year 2022. It would require future annual adjustments to the deduction amount based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the deduction never decreasing - even if CPI falls - and rounded to the next highest dollar amount. The change would apply to honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities (with specific payment rules for those communities). As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after passing both legislative chambers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A124) allows eligible New Jersey educators to deduct up to $1,200 from their gross income tax for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects K-12 teachers in public or nonpublic schools within the state who spend their own money on required materials. The deduction covers specific items like books, pencils, computers, lab equipment, and other daily classroom supplies. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 50% reduction in the state sales tax for eligible retail sales in municipalities where 99% or more of the area is designated as part of the Highlands Region Preservation Area. It applies to physical stores (not mail-order) selling most goods, excluding motor vehicles, alcohol, digital products, and cigarettes. The exemption directly benefits retailers and local economies in these designated municipalities by reducing tax burdens on qualifying sales. The law takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 77) is a symbolic statement of support for Ukraine and its citizens amid Russia's ongoing conflict. It condemns Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, 2022 invasion, and violations of international law, while expressing solidarity with Ukraine's sovereignty and democratic aspirations. The resolution requires sending copies to Ukraine's U.S. and U.N. ambassadors but does not create new laws or affect any specific group. It is a non-binding declaration reflecting New Jersey's position, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1936) prohibits Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU) investigators from interviewing children under age five in licensed child care centers, resource homes, or out-of-home care settings without prior parental consent. It directly affects parents or legal guardians of young children in these care settings by requiring their knowledge and consent before interviews occur. The key provision amends current regulations to mandate parental consent for these specific interviews, while allowing interviews of the child who is the subject of the investigation without consent. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1750) creates a new criminal offense for "theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person" in New Jersey. It specifically targets individuals in positions of trust - such as family members, caregivers, or joint tenants - who commit theft against vulnerable adults defined as seniors (62+ years) or people with disabilities. The law requires separate sentencing for this new offense and the underlying theft, with penalties graded based on the severity of the original theft (e.g., a fourth-degree crime if the underlying theft was a disorderly persons offense). This directly affects vulnerable seniors and disabled individuals and those exploiting their trust, while providing clearer legal tools for prosecutors.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A794 would eliminate supplemental payments for unused sick leave earned after the bill's effective date for public employees. It caps sick leave payments at $15,000 upon retirement, limits carry-over of unused vacation leave, and requires suspension of payments if an employee is indicted for certain crimes or forfeiture if convicted. The bill also prohibits using six or more consecutive days of sick leave in the year before retirement without medical verification, with penalties including unpaid leave and fines for violations. This bill affects state, local government, and school district employees across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryAJR 92 designates the last day of February each year as "Rare Disease Awareness Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public awareness of rare diseases, support for affected patients and families, and promotion of research into rare diseases. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight rare diseases - defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. - which collectively impact nearly 30 million Americans, including thousands in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member Task Force on Child Care Deserts within New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. The task force will study areas with very few or no child care options (defined as locations where over two-thirds of children cannot access care) and examine factors like geographic access, tuition rates, public funding, and infrastructure gaps. It must issue a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within six months of forming. The task force expires 30 days after submitting its report.