Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 59 (AR 59) is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey schools and colleges to include veterans and active military members in discussions about military service, military values, and leadership. It directly affects all K-12 schools and higher education institutions across New Jersey. The resolution encourages schools to invite veterans and service members to share their experiences, particularly during Veterans Month in November, to help students understand military values like integrity and service. It does not create new legal requirements but formally requests that educational institutions incorporate these perspectives into relevant curriculum or events.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants eligibility for New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to certain county fire instructors who were enrolled before November 1, 2008. It applies to those who performed fire instructor duties each year of their membership, earned over $1,500 annually, and were permanent career service employees. The bill provides service credit for their past enrollment and allows reenrollment for those whose membership was terminated within two years prior to the bill's effective date, requiring repayment of any returned contributions and interest. This policy change specifically addresses a gap that previously excluded these instructors from retirement benefits due to their position's irregular schedule.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows non-U.S. citizen military service members who did not renounce or lose U.S. citizenship to take civil service exams for New Jersey state jobs and qualify for veterans' preference. It requires these individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship within 10 business days before an employment list is issued to be included on that list. To receive veterans' preference, they must also prove honorable discharge, meet veteran status criteria as if they were citizens, and submit service records to the Adjutant General. The bill updates civil service rules to include these service members in eligibility for state jobs and hiring preferences.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2310) requires all health insurance carriers to cover mental health treatment and therapy for victims of domestic violence as medically necessary, providing full benefits without limitations. It applies to all health insurance providers, including hospitals, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and individual and group health insurance plans. The bill amends current law to mandate that mental health treatment for domestic violence victims be treated the same as physical injury treatment for coverage purposes. This fills a gap where insurance previously covered physical injuries from domestic violence but not mental health services for the same victims. The coverage requirement applies to all plans where insurers can change premiums.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change how property tax relief is applied to residents in municipalities affected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. It would require that the tax credit be applied directly to each line item on property tax bills rather than just reducing the total amount owed. The credit would be calculated by multiplying a tax rate (determined by dividing total stabilization aid by total taxable property value) by each property's taxable value. This change would make the tax relief more directly visible on individual tax bills. The bill would affect property taxpayers in municipalities located within the Highlands preservation area.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2640) increases penalties for certain crimes committed during a state of emergency. It upgrades offenses like robbery, burglary, theft, shoplifting, and interference with transportation to higher criminal degrees when committed during an emergency. For example, robbery during an emergency would become a first-degree crime (previously second-degree), while burglary would become a first-degree crime (previously second-degree). The bill affects anyone committing these specific crimes in a jurisdiction where a state of emergency has been declared, making those offenses more serious under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryAJR 82 designates May 27 of each year as "Richard Rescorla Day" in New Jersey to honor the late Vietnam War veteran and 9/11 hero Richard Rescorla, who saved 2,700 Morgan Stanley employees during the 9/11 attacks before perishing in the World Trade Center collapse. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public recognition of Rescorla's service and sacrifice. This is a commemorative measure with no new policies, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create a website where voters can report problems with mail-in ballots they receive, such as ballots sent to deceased or non-resident voters. The website would let voters provide their contact details and describe issues, with reports automatically sent to local election officials for follow-up. It also establishes a nine-member "Vote by Mail Study Commission" to investigate mail-in voting irregularities, including how to prevent duplicate ballots or mailings to inactive voters. The commission must hold public hearings across the state and submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a home to a second-degree crime (previously third-degree) unless the person is armed with a weapon or explosive, in which case it becomes a first-degree crime. It clarifies that armed residential burglary would trigger New Jersey's No Early Release Act (requiring at least 85% of the sentence to be served before parole eligibility), while non-armed residential burglary would not. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of breaking into or remaining in a home without permission to commit a crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2050) would extend New Jersey's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws to staff members hired during gubernatorial transitions. Currently, these transition staff are not considered state employees under these laws, despite receiving state-funded compensation. The bill amends P.L.1969, c.213 to explicitly include transition staff under the same protections as regular state employees for hiring, promotion, and workplace discrimination. This change ensures that hiring and employment practices for these staff must comply with state EEO and affirmative action requirements.