Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Fair Housing Act to prohibit urban aid municipalities (those eligible for state aid under P.L.1978, c.14) from receiving exemptions from their affordable housing obligations. It requires these municipalities to contribute to the regional need for low and moderate income housing rather than transferring their obligations to other municipalities. The bill aims to direct affordable housing development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, which minimizes urban sprawl and allows for more cost-effective development. By eliminating exemptions for urban municipalities, the bill ensures a more equitable distribution of affordable housing development across housing regions.

Maddy summaryBill A2727 removes the requirement for Class Two and Class Three special law enforcement officers to return their firearms at the end of each shift. Currently, these officers (who perform duties like municipal policing or court security) must turn in weapons to station house staff after shifts, but the bill eliminates this administrative step. The change applies only to the shift-end turn-in rule and does not alter existing off-duty carry rights - Class Three officers already have off-duty carry authorization under separate provisions. This update streamlines operations for officers who are statutorily permitted to carry weapons while on duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to end veteran homelessness within three years. It requires the DCA to develop a statewide plan using specific mechanisms: creating a comprehensive by-name list of veterans at risk of homelessness, prioritizing veterans for existing housing and emergency assistance benefits, coordinating with service providers to share data, connecting veterans to health and job resources, and implementing "Housing First" principles (permanent housing as quickly as possible). The plan must be updated every three years, with annual progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. It directly affects all New Jersey veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, regardless of their discharge status or length of service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the state General Fund for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July 1 after enactment. It directly affects local health departments by restoring a dedicated, unrestricted funding source they lost in 2010 (when the program was eliminated). The funding would allow these departments to cover core operational costs and address local health needs, rather than relying solely on restricted federal/state funds for specific services like vaccines. This reinstates a program originally established in 1977 that previously provided about 15% of local health department funding.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1575 requires the Division of Developmental Disabilities to create guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in two types of group homes: Level 1 (for those with minimal behavioral challenges) and Level 2 (for those needing more intensive care due to persistent risks of harm to self or others). The guidelines must determine placements based on clinical needs, behavior patterns, and safety risks, and specify criteria for transferring between levels, including requiring Level 2 homes to provide services supporting reintegration into less restrictive settings. Transfers to Level 1 must demonstrate 18 months of stable behavior, meeting specific goals, and having support systems in place, while Level 2 placements require documented need for higher-intensity care. These guidelines will directly affect group home residents, operators, and the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's requirement for designating set-aside contracts for disabled veterans' businesses, reducing the number of qualified businesses needed from three to two. It directly affects state contracting agencies and disabled veterans' businesses by making it easier to qualify for these set-aside contracts, which reserve work for veteran-owned businesses. The change aligns New Jersey's standard with federal guidelines and neighboring states, addressing challenges caused by the low number of registered disabled veterans' businesses in the state. The amendment modifies existing law to allow set-asides when at least two qualified businesses can bid fairly on the contract.