Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's civil service hiring rules for veterans by allowing applicants to qualify as veterans or disabled veterans under the federal definition (5 U.S.C. §2108) instead of only the current state definition. It removes the state's specific historical conflict time requirements, such as minimum service periods for recent operations like Iraq or Afghanistan, which previously limited eligibility. As a result, more veterans - particularly those serving in modern conflicts - will become eligible for civil service hiring preferences. The change applies only to new applicants after the bill's enactment and does not affect veterans already eligible under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans residing in New Jersey's state-run veterans' residential facilities (including memorial homes and Veterans Haven facilities) to have dogs certified as either service animals or emotional support animals. It permits these animals without requiring federal-level service animal training standards for emotional support animals, which federal VA policy does not cover. Facilities must verify documentation confirming the animal's training, task description, and current rabies/core vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus-2). Other animals are prohibited unless for law enforcement or specific VA research purposes, and facilities may restrict or remove animals only for safety reasons like aggression or health risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey homeowners to deduct the full amount of state property taxes paid on their principal residence from their gross income tax, removing the current $15,000 annual cap. It directly affects homeowners who pay state property taxes on their primary residence, as they would no longer be limited to deducting only up to $15,000 of those taxes. The key change eliminates the existing deduction limit, permitting full deduction of all qualifying property taxes paid in the calendar year. This applies to both homeowners and renters (who deduct "rent constituting property taxes"), but the bill specifically targets the property tax deduction cap for primary residences. The change would take effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1118) revises New Jersey's tax rates for married couples filing jointly, aiming to reduce the "marriage penalty" where joint filers pay more tax than if they filed separately. It increases the threshold for the lowest tax bracket from $20,000 to $40,000 for joint filers and changes the tax rate for income between $40,000 and $70,000 from 2.5% to 1.75%. These changes apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2020, and directly affect married couples who file joint tax returns in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows employees of New Jersey's Division of Children Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to voluntarily report suspected animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect they witness while investigating child welfare cases. DCPP staff may report to local humane law enforcement officers or designated county authorities, filing detailed reports within two business days (or immediately if animal safety is at risk). The bill provides legal immunity for good-faith reports and requires reports to include specific details like the animal type, location, and witness information. It does not mandate reporting but enables cross-reporting between child welfare and animal welfare systems, with optional training for DCPP staff on identifying animal abuse linked to domestic violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A951) requires all New Jersey law enforcement agencies to use standardized procedures when activating domestic violence crisis teams for incidents involving domestic violence, elder abuse, or disability neglect. It mandates that teams - composed of trained professionals like social workers or clergy - must be activated for most domestic violence calls, with limited exceptions (e.g., if a victim is intoxicated or if sexual assault protocols apply). The Division of Criminal Justice will oversee training for law enforcement officers and ensure consistent implementation statewide, replacing inconsistent local practices. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, and disability neglect, as well as law enforcement agencies and crisis team members.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's nursing home reporting requirements, requiring more detailed financial disclosures and ownership structure information. Nursing homes, applicants for ownership transfers, and third-party entities managing nursing homes must now provide audited consolidated financial statements and organizational charts showing parent companies, subsidiaries, and related parties providing services valued at $200,000 or more annually. The bill lowers the threshold for disclosing ownership interests from 10% to 5% and mandates that nursing homes post this information on their websites. It also removes the previous requirement for nursing homes to post Medicare/Medicaid cost reports, instead requiring them to post the new financial statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3005) adjusts New Jersey's $6,000 veterans' income tax exemption to keep pace with inflation. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who file New Jersey taxes and claim this exemption. The bill requires the exemption amount to automatically increase each year based on the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U) for the 12 months ending August 31 of the prior year. If inflation is zero, the exemption amount remains unchanged for that tax year. This change ensures the exemption's real value doesn't diminish over time due to rising costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes procedures for law enforcement to seize animals in suspected cruelty cases, allowing warrantless entry onto private property if immediate assistance is needed to protect an animal's life or prevent injury. Seized animals must be placed in licensed shelters or pounds, with facilities able to seek reimbursement for reasonable care costs from the animal's owner or person from whom it was taken. The bill defines "necessary veterinary care" to include basic medical treatment for pain, disease, or imminent death, but excludes elective procedures or non-emergency surgeries. If owners fail to pay care costs as ordered by court, ownership of the animal automatically transfers to the animal care facility. The bill also creates a process for courts to order animal forfeiture following animal cruelty convictions, while allowing owners who pay costs to reclaim animals if they're found not guilty of cruelty violations.