Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals 18 years of age or older to possess bear spray for the purpose of repelling aggressive bears during outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Currently, New Jersey law limits personal defense sprays to devices containing no more than 3/4 ounce, but EPA-approved bear spray typically contains 7.6 ounces. The bill specifically permits possession of bear spray products that are EPA-approved and clearly labeled as such. It also provides civil immunity for reasonable use of bear spray in self-defense against bears, while maintaining that willful or grossly negligent use would not be protected.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "gang shoplifting" as a new third-degree crime in New Jersey. It applies when two or more people enter a store together and openly take items without paying (intending to deprive the store of them) or tamper with property to endanger people or damage the store. Convicted individuals face a mandatory minimum one-year prison sentence without parole eligibility, plus potential fines up to $15,000. The bill directly targets coordinated retail thefts, specifically addressing incidents described as "flash mobs" looting stores in public view.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to approve a nonprofit organization to develop a voluntary certification program for recovery residences (sober living homes for people with substance use disorders) and their administrators. The program would establish certification standards including background checks, inspections, and annual recertification, with certified residences needing to be managed by certified administrators (or be peer-managed). Recovery residences must obtain certification to be listed publicly, and misrepresenting certification status would be prohibited with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation. Certified recovery residences would be exempt from certain regulatory requirements that previously applied to sober living homes, and health care providers would be required to refer patients only to certified residences or those owned by licensed treatment providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $17 million supplemental appropriation for New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2023 budget to fund lake management grants through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The grants will support qualified entities - including lake commissions (like the Lake Hopatcong Commission), local governments, and nonprofits focused on publicly accessible lakes - to cover costs for maintenance, water quality improvement, and preventing harmful algal blooms. The DEP must establish a program prioritizing projects that enhance public access, recreational use, and conservation, with funds also covering eligible stormwater and pollution management activities that directly benefit lake use. This one-time funding is specifically directed at lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that BB guns commonly used for recreation (which fire small pellets using air or compressed air at low speed) are not classified as firearms under New Jersey law. As a result, these devices will no longer require firearm permits, background checks, or other licensing under state law. The amendment specifically excludes such BB guns from the legal definition of "firearm" in New Jersey statutes. This change directly affects BB gun owners, retailers, and law enforcement by removing firearm regulatory requirements for these devices. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges/universities from adopting policies that block active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students. It specifically bans restrictions on military/veteran speakers at school events, classes, assemblies, sports teams, clubs, or graduation ceremonies. Institutions that violate this law risk having state funding withheld by the Commissioner of Education (for schools) or the State Treasurer (for colleges). The bill requires school districts to forward requests from military/veterans to county superintendents and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3203) creates a sexual assault prevention and response program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including a dedicated coordinator who operates independently from military chain of command. The program directly affects service members (including New Jersey National Guard members) who experience sexual assault or harassment, providing confidential complaint options, victim advocacy services, and access to compensation. Key provisions allow victims to file confidential complaints, convert them to formal complaints, receive notices about subsequent accusations against the accused, and have protective orders filed on their behalf with consent. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing prevention efforts, incident statistics, training gaps, and response strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health practitioners in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete four hours of approved training as a condition of licensure, while currently licensed practitioners must complete four hours within one year of the bill's effective date and every six years thereafter. The training must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings, and must be approved by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Practitioners must submit proof of completion to their respective licensing boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to establish a statewide voter list maintenance and crosscheck program. The program must verify voter information by cross-checking the Statewide voter registration system with data from the Motor Vehicle Commission (for driver's licenses), the Department of Health (death records), and correctional agencies (incarceration/parole records). It mandates an annual report to the Governor and Legislature, due 90 days after the November election, including county-level data on inactive/active voters, voter removals, and counties not meeting program standards. The bill directly affects county election officials who must implement these crosschecks and maintain accurate voter rolls.