Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "safe haven" system allowing people to anonymously surrender domestic companion animals (pets) to shelters, pounds, veterinary hospitals, or police stations without disclosing their identity or providing owner information. Facilities must accept animals during operating hours, post clear signage about drop-off procedures, and provide necessary care without attempting to reunite animals with previous owners. It also requires the Department of Health to create a public education program, including school materials for grades 3-12, and a 24-hour hotline to inform the public about the safe haven process. The law takes immediate effect and applies to all municipalities and animal care facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Open Public Records Act to prohibit the release of personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses. It specifically removes the current provision that made victim names, addresses, and ages public record. The bill would protect information including home/work addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, email addresses, and social media handles. This change would directly affect victims and witnesses in violent crime cases by preventing their personal information from being publicly accessible through standard records requests. The policy change aims to enhance the safety and privacy of these individuals by keeping their personal information confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Superintendent of State Police to annually collect and publish data on fatal motor vehicle crashes involving cannabis. It directly affects the State Police, mandating they add cannabis-related crash statistics to their existing annual Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Report (which currently includes alcohol-related data). The provision defines "cannabis" using the state's existing legal definition from P.L.2021, c.16. This creates a transparent, annual public record tracking cannabis-related traffic fatalities, similar to how alcohol-related crashes are currently reported.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes who issues permits for emergency and warning lights on vehicles in New Jersey. It would require local municipalities, counties, and state offices to issue permits instead of the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), affecting volunteer firefighters, emergency management staff, postal service workers, commercial vehicle operators (tow trucks, service vehicles, snow removal vehicles, security vehicles), and transportation contractors. The bill repeals provisions requiring MVC to issue identification cards for permit holders and shifts the $25 fee for commercial amber warning lights from MVC to local municipalities. It also specifies that emergency lights can only be used during official duties and must meet specific size and placement requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey drivers whose spouse has died to revert to their birth name on their driver's license without a court order. It requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to accept a marriage certificate and the deceased spouse's death certificate as proof of the name change. Applicants must also attest they are not changing their name to avoid criminal prosecution, creditors, or fraud. The change applies only to returning to a pre-marriage birth name after a spouse's death.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent (rather than just adults) to enter New Jersey's drug court program under specific conditions. To qualify, a juvenile must meet criteria including being drug or alcohol dependent at the time of the offense, having undergone a professional assessment, not possessing a firearm, and not having prior convictions for serious offenses like murder or assault. The program requires participation in licensed treatment at a residential or nonresidential facility with regular drug testing, and successful completion may lead to expungement of related criminal records. This expands eligibility for the drug court program to include juveniles who meet the established requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that individuals charged with motor vehicle theft must be detained before trial, unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that they pose no risk to public safety. It also imposes mandatory minimum sentences for motor vehicle theft under N.J.S.2C:20-2 and unlawful taking of vehicles under N.J.S.2C:20-10. For first offenses, the minimum sentence is one-third to one-half of the total prison term, with increased minimums for repeat offenses (30 months for second third-degree theft, 5 years for third third-degree theft). The legislation directly affects people convicted of stealing or unlawfully taking another person's vehicle with intent to deprive them of it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Executive Branch state government to reduce its vehicle fleet by 10% annually over five consecutive fiscal years (starting six months after enactment), with flexibility to reduce by 8-10% if needed to maintain efficient services. It exempts vehicles used by the Division of State Police, Division of Gaming Enforcement, and for construction, maintenance, or emergency services. A panel (including the State Treasurer and department heads) must create a reduction plan within six months, review all new vehicle requests (excluding replacements), and report quarterly to the budget committee. Annual funding for vehicle accounts must align with the planned reductions, and sale proceeds from excess vehicles will fund state debt or capital projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits incarcerated individuals in New Jersey from receiving Medicaid, Work First New Jersey, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It requires the Department of Human Services to establish monthly information sharing with correctional facilities and courts to identify incarcerated individuals and immediately suspend their benefits. The policy aims to prevent improper payments, which totaled over $12.6 million between 2009 and 2011 according to a state comptroller report. The bill amends current law to eliminate any authority for extending these benefits to incarcerated individuals during their first month in custody.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives initial inspection fees for municipally owned affordable housing developments under New Jersey's Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law. It specifically applies to multiple dwellings where every unit is dedicated as very low income, low income, or moderate income housing, as defined in state law. The fee waiver covers the first inspection required under the law, reducing costs for municipalities that develop or maintain affordable housing. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2017, and would directly affect municipal housing authorities and affordable housing projects across New Jersey.