Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2722, the "New Jersey Medical Professional Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act") protects medical professionals who develop work-related PTSD. It prohibits employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a qualifying PTSD diagnosis. To qualify, the PTSD must be diagnosed by a licensed professional and linked to trauma experienced directly during work duties or vicarious trauma from work (e.g., hearing about traumatic cases). Employers must reinstate employees to their prior position after leave if fitness to return is documented, and violations carry civil fines ($5,000 first offense, $10,000 subsequent) plus remedies like back pay and attorney fees. The law applies to doctors, nurses, therapists, and other licensed healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A433) changes New Jersey law to make rear seat belt non-compliance a primary offense, meaning police can stop vehicles and issue tickets solely for this violation - unlike current law, which treats it as secondary (only enforceable during other traffic stops). It requires all state and local law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports to the Attorney General detailing traffic stops involving rear seat belt citations, including stop reasons, citations issued, searches conducted, and arrests made. The Attorney General must analyze this data against pre-bill traffic stop records and report findings to the Governor and Legislature within six months, while also including implementation effects in New Jersey’s federal highway safety plan. The bill directly affects rear seat passengers, law enforcement practices, and state reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey residents to obtain special license plates honoring all five U.S. military academies: the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, and United States Coast Guard Academy. Vehicle owners would pay a $15 fee in addition to standard registration costs to get these plates, which would display each academy's name and emblem. The Motor Vehicle Commission would design the plates in consultation with the Adjutant General, following standard registration rules. The plates would be available to any New Jersey vehicle owner who applies through the Commission's website.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $20 million in supplemental funding for New Jersey's existing STEM teacher support programs. It directly affects new STEM teachers (science, technology, engineering, math) in public schools who are either: (1) graduating from educator preparation programs in the 2021-2022 academic year and hired as novice teachers, or (2) completing graduate STEM degrees or 30 credits in STEM coursework. The program provides upfront lump-sum payments covering 25% of eligible student loan or tuition expenses (up to $20,000) in exchange for a four-year teaching commitment in a New Jersey public school. Participants must repay the funds as a loan if they fail to complete the four-year service requirement or violate contract terms.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 51) formally adopts four articles of impeachment against Robert Asaro-Angelo, the Commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). It cites his failure to address the state's unemployment crisis, including delaying the reopening of in-person service centers (One-Stop Career Centers), backlog of unpaid claims, and lack of timely communication. The resolution, passed by the Assembly, impeaches Asaro-Angelo and directs the Speaker to submit the articles to the New Jersey Senate for consideration. It does not create new laws but initiates the constitutional impeachment process against the commissioner.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryAR 80 is a non-binding resolution urging Rutgers, The State University to name a campus building after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It specifically references her 1963-1972 faculty role at Rutgers Law School in Newark, her foundational work advancing women’s legal rights, and her legacy as a Supreme Court justice. The resolution highlights her contributions to gender equality, including her role as advisor to the first U.S. law journal focused on women’s rights. It does not create new law but formally requests Rutgers memorialize her connection to the university. The resolution is addressed to Rutgers’ leadership for consideration.

Maddy summaryAJR 79 is a New Jersey joint resolution designating September 22nd of each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day." It does not create new programs but establishes an annual observance to raise public awareness about suicide risks among veterans and active military personnel. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging state officials and citizens to observe the day with activities honoring veterans who died by suicide and supporting those at risk. This designation aims to reduce stigma around mental health treatment and highlight existing resources provided by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other organizations. The resolution originated from a veteran's initiative to memorialize those lost to suicide, including Senior Airman Robert McRae Dean.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2742) requires 7% of funds from New Jersey's Main Street Recovery Fund to be allocated as grants specifically for veteran-owned small businesses. It directly affects eligible veteran-owned businesses that meet tax clearance, minimum wage, and other application requirements. The key provision mandates that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority reserve this 7% allocation for businesses owned by veterans or service-disabled veterans (as defined in federal law), while maintaining existing eligibility rules for all grant recipients. The bill does not create new funding but redirects existing resources toward this specific group.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide New Jersey businesses with tax credits for hiring members of the New Jersey National Guard or military reserves (the reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces). Businesses would earn a $1,500 credit for each service member not returned from deployment and $2,500 for each who has returned, applicable against corporation business tax or gross income tax. The credits cannot reduce a business's tax liability below zero. The policy aims to incentivize hiring military service members by offering direct financial benefits to employers.