Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey county sheriffs to issue firearms identification cards and permits to purchase handguns, currently only issued by municipal police chiefs or the State Police superintendent. It would also authorize county sheriffs to accept applications for permits to carry handguns, expanding their current authority in this area. Under current law, residents must apply to their local police department or the State Police superintendent for these permits, but this bill would give county sheriffs the same authority. This is a procedural change to the application process for firearm permits and identification cards, providing more local access for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a misdemeanor to send unsolicited naked photos or videos via electronic means without the recipient's consent. It specifically targets individuals who knowingly transmit such material to people who did not request it or give explicit permission. If the sender knows the recipient is a child under 13 or someone with a mental condition unable to understand the sexual nature of the image, it becomes a more serious offense punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law directly affects anyone who sends unsolicited sexually explicit images electronically, with stricter penalties when vulnerable recipients are involved.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for defendants charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. Under this law, such defendants would typically remain jailed before trial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions (like bail or supervision) would ensure their court appearance and public safety. The bill adds this offense to the existing list of crimes triggering this presumption, which currently includes murder and crimes punishable by life imprisonment. This change shifts the burden to the defendant to overcome the presumption, while the prosecution must still establish probable cause for the underlying crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey crime victims' rights by clarifying two key provisions. First, it allows courts to permit non-victims (such as close family members, teachers, or coaches in homicide cases) to make in-person impact statements at sentencing, standardizing current inconsistent court practices. Second, it ensures victims can attend specific post-conviction hearings involving sex offenders (like registration reviews or risk assessments) and insanity acquittal commitments, though courts may exclude victims to protect offenders' privacy. The bill does not create new rights but clarifies existing ones under current law, applying to all crime victims and their designated representatives in these scenarios.

Maddy summaryThe Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act requires manufacturers and sellers of Internet-connected devices (like smartphones and tablets) sold in New Jersey to include a digital blocking feature that prevents access to obscene material, child exploitation content, and websites involved in human trafficking or prostitution. Companies must ensure the blocking works properly, provide a reporting system for users to flag unblocked obscene content or wrongly blocked material, and actively block child pornography and revenge pornography. Users aged 18+ can disable the blocking by paying a one-time $20 fee, and companies may pay a $20 opt-out fee per device; collected funds support the state’s Commission on Human Trafficking. Violations can result in fines up to $20,000 for repeat offenses, with lawsuits allowed for unreported unblocked content.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to display a head-and-shoulders statue of Alice Paul in the New Jersey State Capitol building. It mandates the Commission to secure and place this representation in an appropriate location, with an alternative site during building renovations. The bill honors Alice Paul, a New Jersey native who co-authored the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. The measure focuses solely on commemorating her suffrage work, with no financial or operational changes beyond the display requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Parole Board to immediately revoke parole for any parolee arrested or indicted for assaulting a law enforcement officer or threatening to kill or cause physical harm to an officer (or their family member), provided the threat causes the officer to believe the threat is imminent and likely to be carried out. It directly affects parolees convicted of such offenses, including those threatening retired officers due to their former status. The key mechanism removes the current requirement for the Parole Board to determine if charges are "serious" before proceeding, mandating automatic revocation proceedings upon arrest for these specific acts. The bill applies to threats against family members defined as spouses, parents, children living with the officer, or other relatives residing with them.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3835) prohibits requiring individuals to receive or disclose COVID-19 vaccination status as a condition for accessing services or rights. It bans asking about vaccination, mandating vaccines, or demanding proof for 15 specific areas, including employment, education (schools/universities), healthcare, business services, public spaces (parks, restaurants), and government activities. The law makes it unlawful to discriminate against unvaccinated people or those who refuse to disclose their status. Violators face civil penalties of $25,000 plus attorney fees in court, enforceable immediately upon passage. It directly affects all New Jersey residents interacting with businesses, schools, healthcare providers, or public venues.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3741) protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot terminate a tenancy, refuse to renew a lease, or deny a rental application based on a tenant’s victim status or prior lease termination under the New Jersey Safe Housing Act (P.L.2008, c.111). Tenants may provide documentation like restraining orders, medical records, or certification from domestic violence specialists to invoke these protections. Violating this law makes landlords liable for civil damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill amends existing tenant protection statutes (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 and 2A:18-61.1) to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on victim status.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "fiscal victimization" targeting financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It makes it a crime to commit, attempt, threaten, or conspire to commit theft or identity theft (specifically listed in New Jersey law) against someone known or reasonably known to be a senior citizen (60+ years old) or a person with a disability (defined as having a pre-existing medical impairment substantially limiting physical/mental resistance). The crime is graded based on the underlying offense (e.g., a fourth-degree crime if the underlying act is a disorderly persons offense), and courts must impose separate sentences for both the fiscal victimization and the underlying theft. This directly affects vulnerable seniors and disabled individuals by adding enhanced penalties for those who financially exploit them.