Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Medical Examiners to create a certification process for non-physicians (like licensed estheticians or technicians) to legally perform laser tattoo removal. It mandates that non-physicians must meet specific qualifications, pass approved testing, and complete continuing education to obtain certification. Certification is required before offering these services and must be renewed every two years. The law directly affects non-physician service providers seeking to enter the tattoo removal field, establishing standardized safety and competency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sports wagering licensees and their agents from advertising sports betting services online (including mobile apps) or on television broadcasts within New Jersey. It directly affects licensed sports betting operators, their employees, and contracted advertisers who cannot post, distribute, or sponsor such ads on internet platforms or cable TV systems based in the state. Key provisions ban all online visibility of sports pool-related advertising and prohibit TV broadcasts of these ads through local cable services. The Division of Gaming Enforcement must create rules and enforce these restrictions, effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 733) increases daily compensation for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special) and raises additional pay for workers handling signature copy registers. Election workers managing these registers will now receive $20 per election (or $10 each if shared), up from $12.50 or $6.25. The state will also increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per worker, while counties cover the remaining $75. The bill directly affects election workers serving on district boards during all statewide and local elections in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program providing one-time grants of up to $10,000 to qualified veterans purchasing franchises in the state. It directly affects veterans who are approved by the EDA and operating or planning to operate a franchise at a New Jersey location. Key provisions include the EDA establishing application procedures, prioritizing veterans who apply within six months of the bill's effective date, and requiring grantees to report how they used the funds within one year. The program aims to support veteran entrepreneurs by reducing startup costs for franchise ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It helps employers recruit veterans by reimbursing them up to $5,000 for relocation costs, provided veterans accept jobs with participating employers and stay employed for at least 12 months. The program is administered by a contracted nonprofit, which vets veterans and matches them to employer positions. Veterans who leave before 12 months must repay the employer (and subsequently the state), but exceptions exist for involuntary separations like layoffs or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officer recruits and active officers to complete specific self-defense training. Recruits must take a basic course (1.5 hours, three times weekly during training plus a 40-hour final course), while active officers must complete 48 hours of annual in-service training. The Police Training Commission receives $250,000 to establish these programs, and training time does not count toward overtime compensation. The law directly affects all State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryBill A 636 exempts qualified veterans from paying certain fees when applying for handgun permits or firearm purchaser identification cards in New Jersey. It directly affects veterans who meet eligibility criteria under the bill, removing the fee requirement currently imposed on applicants under N.J.S.2C:58-3. The key provision amends statutes to eliminate the fee that retail dealers may charge for processing firearm permit or identification card transactions. This is a concrete policy change, not a procedural measure, as it modifies the fee structure for veterans seeking firearm-related permits. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's seat belt law by making it a primary offense for rear seat passengers to not wear seat belts, meaning police can now stop and ticket drivers solely for this violation (instead of only when stopping for another reason). It repeals current law that treated rear seat belt non-compliance as a secondary offense. The bill also requires all state and local police departments to submit detailed reports one year after implementation, tracking traffic stops related to rear seat belt violations, including reasons for stops, citations issued, searches, and arrests. The Attorney General must then analyze this data against prior years' information to assess impacts on law enforcement practices and report findings to the governor and legislature within six months. Additionally, the state must include this information in its federal Highway Safety Plan, detailing effects on crash injuries and fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state fund to provide financial aid to New Jersey municipalities located in the Highlands preservation area, specifically compensating them for declines in vacant land property values caused by the 2004 Highlands Water Protection Act. To qualify, a municipality must be entirely within the Highlands area or have at least 60% of its land in the area and have updated its local plans to align with Highlands protection rules. The aid amount is calculated by comparing vacant land values between 2023 (the base year) and the current year, then multiplying the difference by the municipality's tax rate. The state will distribute payments twice yearly from the established fund, directly offsetting municipalities' local tax revenue needs.