Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "victimization of a senior citizen or a person with a disability" in New Jersey. It applies when someone commits any crime listed in Chapters 11-18 of Title 2C (like assault or theft) against a person aged 62 or older, or someone with a medically determinable disability that substantially limits their ability to resist. The victimization charge is sentenced as one degree more serious than the underlying crime (e.g., a disorderly persons offense becomes a fourth-degree crime), requires separate sentencing for both the underlying crime and victimization, and adds mandatory parole supervision (3-5 years) after prison if the underlying crime was first or second degree. The bill defines "senior citizen" as 62+ and "person with a disability" as someone meeting federal Social Security disability criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards to calculate the national average time other states take to approve initial credentials for each regulated profession or occupation. Boards must collect this data from other states (or national associations) within six months of the bill's effective date, then use the approved national average as their processing standard for new applications. If a board fails to meet the national average after one year, it must use licensing fees to hire a third-party expert to identify best practices for faster processing, which must be implemented immediately. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually to ensure boards meet the established timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A410) requires New Jersey public school districts to provide vouchers to parents who withdraw their child from public school due to objections about curriculum materials or activities they deem "harmful." The voucher covers 75% of the nonpublic school's tuition and fees, calculated based on the district's per-pupil spending and prorated for remaining school days. It specifically defines "harmful" objections to include conflicts with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or morality. The bill applies to parents of students enrolled in public schools who choose to enroll in nonpublic schools for these reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from granting new economic development subsidies to businesses that have a previously awarded state loan or loan guarantee with principal and interest payments overdue for more than 24 months. It directly affects businesses that received prior state economic development loans or guarantees but are significantly behind on repayments. The key change updates current law by setting a specific 24-month overdue threshold instead of relying on a general "default" definition. The policy applies to all state public bodies (like agencies or authorities) awarding subsidies exceeding $25,000 for economic development purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police to provide the Legislature with biannual reports on sex offenders who fail to meet address verification requirements under Megan's Law. County and municipal law enforcement agencies must report to the State Police every 180 days a list of registered sex offenders who haven't verified their addresses as required. Under Megan's Law, some offenders must verify their addresses every 90 days while others must do so annually. The State Police will compile these reports and provide the Legislature with the total number of non-compliant offenders and the specific offenses that required registration. This bill directly affects the state's oversight of Megan's Law compliance and provides legislative transparency on sex offender registration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new third-degree crime for knowingly filing false reports or providing false information to law enforcement with the purpose of implicating an officer in a crime, offense, or professional misconduct that would lead to disciplinary action. It directly affects individuals who make such false reports against police officers, potentially facing up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. The law establishes this as a separate offense that does not merge with existing crimes for falsely incriminating others (third degree) or filing fictitious reports (fourth degree). The bill amends New Jersey Statute 2C:28-4 to clarify this new provision, which would apply immediately if enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1098) exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests, and also removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It directly affects disabled veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill amends existing law to add "disabled veteran" as a qualifying category for free admission (currently covering residents 62+, totally disabled individuals, and National Guard members with training completion) and specifically exempts this group from beach access fees. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Transparency in Government Act" (A2617) requires New Jersey to create a free, searchable public website displaying state financial data. It mandates the State Treasurer to include annual records of state agency spending (salaries, vendor payments, local aid), revenues (taxes, fees, grants), and bonded debt (principal, interest, repayment sources) starting from fiscal year 2000. Data must be updated within 45 days after each fiscal year ends and cannot be removed, while protecting private/confidential information. The website will be maintained with oversight from a 13-member Public Finance Transparency Committee, including state officials, agency representatives, and public members. This directly affects state agencies (which must provide data), the State Treasurer's office (which develops the site), and New Jersey residents (who gain access to financial information).

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that all school boards of education in New Jersey must be members of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA). Currently, every school board is mandated to join NJSBA, pay annual dues, and appoint a delegate to represent them. The bill allows school boards to choose whether to join or leave NJSBA at any time, meaning they can avoid paying dues and appointing a delegate if they opt out. As a result, NJSBA membership becomes voluntary for all school districts.

Maddy summaryAJR 53 designates July 16 of each year as "Atomic Veterans Day" in New Jersey to honor military service members who participated in U.S. nuclear weapons tests (1945-1962) or served near Hiroshima/Nagasaki. It specifically recognizes approximately 250,000 veterans, including New Jersey residents, who were initially barred from seeking VA medical care due to secrecy laws. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of this day.