Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3815) proposes to reclassify burglary of a residence. It upgrades burglary of a dwelling or structure adapted for overnight accommodation to a second-degree crime (currently third degree in most cases), and further upgrades it to a first-degree crime if the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives. The change directly affects individuals committing burglaries in homes or similar living spaces, increasing penalties: second-degree burglary carries 5-10 years in prison, while first-degree burglary (with weapons) carries the same term. The bill also aligns sentencing for these offenses with a new requirement that 85% of the sentence must be served before parole eligibility. This is a proposed legislative change, not yet enacted.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-532) would require public school districts to provide vouchers covering 75% of tuition at nonpublic schools for students whose parents withdraw them due to objections about curriculum content. It specifically protects objections related to material conflicting with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or morality. The voucher amount is calculated based on the district's per-pupil spending, prorated for remaining school days. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Education Committee (introduced January 13, 2026) and would directly affect parents who withdraw children over curriculum disputes and the school districts funding those vouchers.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry, requiring the Attorney General to create an online database with details about individuals convicted of specific human trafficking offenses (including trafficking, aiding trafficking, or advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors). The registry categorizes people by status (incarcerated, on parole, in community release programs, or out-of-state parolees) and includes names, sentences, addresses, and criminal history. It also mandates one-time training for police on trafficking identification and for hotel/motel staff and healthcare workers on recognizing and responding to suspected trafficking cases. These training requirements must be completed within specific timeframes by affected employees and are tied to license maintenance.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and county governing bodies to notify municipalities in writing when they receive grant or loan applications for acquiring or developing land for recreation or conservation purposes within the municipality. Municipalities then have 30 days to review the application and submit written feedback on whether the land is appropriate for such use. The state or county must consider this municipal input when making final funding decisions, though they may proceed without it if no feedback is received within the 30-day window. The bill directly affects municipalities by giving them a formal role in local land-use decisions involving public funding.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3144 directs the Attorney General to create a formal agreement with federal authorities, enabling specific corrections officers to check inmates' immigration status at the time of incarceration. Only officers who volunteer, are approved by their employers, and complete required training would be designated for this role. If an inmate is found to be in the U.S. without legal authorization, officers would report this to federal immigration authorities (ICE), but they cannot take enforcement action themselves. The agreement would also outline training, federal funding for costs, and clarify legal protections for officers acting under this program. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level at least 30 days before the school year starts. It mandates that districts include specific information like course units, learning objectives, and details about textbooks/materials used. School districts must also post when and where parents/legal guardians can review these materials before they are used in classrooms. The bill applies to all public school districts and takes effect for the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A526 requires gas stations to display the exact amount of State and Federal taxes per gallon on price signs at fuel pumps, replacing the current option to simply state "includes taxes." This affects all retail gas stations selling motor fuel in New Jersey, mandating specific tax figures instead of generic statements like "Includes all Taxes." The bill amends existing laws (P.L.1938, c.163 and P.L.1952, c.258) to require signs to state "Includes [State tax] N.J. Tax - [Federal tax] Federal Tax" below the price. The change ensures transparency about tax components in the final price consumers pay at the pump.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's chief law enforcement officers or the Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities whenever a non-citizen applies for a firearms purchaser identification card (for rifles and shotguns) or a handgun purchase permit. It directly affects non-citizens seeking to purchase or possess firearms under New Jersey's permit system. The key mechanism adds a mandatory notification step to the existing background check process, requiring law enforcement to share applicant information with federal immigration agencies. The bill does not alter background check standards but creates a new reporting obligation for non-citizen firearm permit applicants.
Maddy summaryACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to review the employment history of job applicants who will regularly interact with students (including teaching assistants and staff). Specifically, institutions must verify if applicants were investigated for child abuse or sexual misconduct at any employer within the past 20 years, and require applicants to disclose such allegations or related disciplinary actions. Employers must respond to these checks within 20 days, and false disclosures can lead to employment denial or civil penalties. The policy directly affects higher education institutions, prospective employees in student-facing roles, and their previous employers.