Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to allocate the "nondedicated" portion of realty transfer fees (paid when property is sold) to municipalities for property tax relief. The nondedicated portion refers to fees not already designated for specific purposes like shore protection, affordable housing, or the Highlands Protection Fund. The bill includes a 5-year phase-in period where the State initially retains 80% of these funds in the first year, gradually decreasing to 0% by the fifth year. Municipalities must use these funds exclusively to reduce property tax levies, with oversight by the Division of Local Government Services to ensure compliance. This would provide municipalities with additional resources to help lower property tax burdens on residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to include an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in contracts with organizations providing child and family services. The COLA, calculated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous year (October 1 to September 30), will be announced by DCF each October 1. It applies to organizations contracted by DCF - including those partially or fully funded by the State Medicaid program - to ensure their payments keep pace with inflation. The adjustment aims to cover rising operational costs, including staff compensation, for organizations delivering essential services to children and families.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers to be assigned to polling places located in public schools during elections. Specifically, it amends election law to permit district boards, election superintendents, or county clerks to request police presence at these school-based polling locations for maintaining order and providing security. The request must be made explicitly for school polling places, and any assigned officer must focus solely on election security during voting hours. The bill also requires documentation of such assignments, including the reason, duration, and outcome, to be recorded and made publicly available.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill adds the use of the Internet as an aggravating factor in sentencing for individuals convicted of sex crimes against children under 18. It requires lifetime GPS monitoring for offenders who used the Internet to commit these crimes, regardless of when the conviction occurred. The legislation amends sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for such offenses and mandates continuous electronic monitoring for life after release from prison. It directly affects sex offenders who commit crimes against minors using online methods. The bill aims to enhance child safety through increased penalties and long-term monitoring of these offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds postpartum depression services to New Jersey's existing 9-8-8 behavioral health crisis hotline system. It requires the state to contract with crisis hotline centers that specifically provide services for postpartum depression, including coordinating referrals to Children's System of Care when callers have children. The law mandates that hotline centers follow federal standards for the 9-8-8 system while ensuring specialized support for postpartum depression cases. These changes directly affect New Jersey residents experiencing postpartum depression and require coordination between crisis hotlines, mental health providers, and child welfare agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1263) upgrades the penalty for assaulting law enforcement officers to a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs. Currently, such assaults are a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison) if injury happens, but this bill elevates it to a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine) for injured officers. It specifically targets assaults on officers identifiable by uniform or authority during duty, without changing penalties for assaults causing no injury. The change applies directly to law enforcement officers and aims to increase penalties for violent acts against them.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers in New Jersey to direct traffic during emergencies or disasters, under specific conditions. To qualify, members must pass a physical exam, complete police-approved training, and take an oath. They may perform traffic duties on roadways until police arrive or at public events with law enforcement approval, while wearing ANSI-certified safety vests and equipment. The bill also provides liability protection for CERT traffic officers acting in good faith within their training. It directly affects CERT volunteers and local law enforcement agencies coordinating emergency response.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3221) requires school anti-bullying specialists and district anti-bullying coordinators in New Jersey public schools to serve in those roles full-time, rather than part-time or in addition to other duties. It directly affects school staff appointed as specialists (e.g., counselors or psychologists) and district administrators appointed as coordinators. The key change amends existing law to mandate full-time commitment for both positions, ensuring these roles have dedicated focus on preventing, investigating, and addressing bullying incidents. The bill does not alter existing duties like chairing safety teams or collaborating with school staff, but requires these responsibilities to be handled exclusively by the appointed individuals. It takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3212) requires health care facilities to screen health care workers and first responders - those who provided pandemic-related or essential services - for PTSD symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic when they seek medical care. Facilities must avoid duplicate screenings across locations, allow individuals to refuse screening, and offer referrals to treatment resources if symptoms are identified. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services must develop a screening tool, publish treatment resources online, and collaborate with the Department of Health to provide a centralized link to these resources. The bill directly affects frontline workers who served during the pandemic and aims to connect them with mental health support through existing health care systems.