Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools, developed with input from organizations like the American Red Cross. The fact sheet must include practical tips for preventing drowning, the importance of swim lessons, and locations offering free or low-cost water safety courses in each county. Public school districts must distribute the fact sheet to parents/guardians during initial student enrollment, while nonpublic schools may choose to distribute it but are not required to. The bill directly affects parents of newly enrolled students in public schools and provides accessible resources for water safety education across the state. It takes effect after a four-month implementation period following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3719) requires all commercial pesticide applicators in New Jersey to mark treated areas with uniform silver flags. The flags must be silver, same size/type, display bilingual (English/Spanish) information, and remain visible for at least 72 hours after application. It also prohibits using silver flags for other purposes like dog fences or utility lines to prevent confusion. The Department of Environmental Protection must create implementing rules, and the law takes effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1411 requires firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. This disclosure informs buyers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or state police, and warns that purchasing firearms with intent to resell to ineligible buyers is illegal. Retailers must have customers sign and keep copies of this disclosure for 15 years, and post the same notice visibly at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations, with collected fines funding gun violence prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to make three versions of their budgets publicly accessible: the initial proposed budget submitted to the Commissioner of Education, the commissioner-approved version, and the final adopted budget. All versions must be posted on school district websites (if available), provided in print using plain language, and made available upon public request. The commissioner-approved budget must be posted no later than 48 hours before the public hearing on the budget. These changes apply to school budgets for the second full school year following the bill's enactment, directly affecting all New Jersey school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey County College Remissible Student Loan Program to help students cover tuition, fees, and textbooks not covered by other aid. It directly affects eligible New Jersey residents enrolled part-time at county colleges who have applied for all other available grants and scholarships. The key provision allows borrowers to receive loans that are fully forgiven if they earn an associate degree within three years, with $1 million appropriated to fund the program. Loans cannot exceed tuition/fees costs, and repayment is deferred until after degree completion, though interest accrues.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey school districts handle nonrenewal of nontenured staff contracts. It replaces current informal "Donaldson hearings" with a formal hearing process for staff whose chief school administrator recommends against renewal. Key requirements include: the school board must hold a formal hearing with the board attorney present, the staff member must submit supporting materials 3 days in advance, and the board must issue a written decision detailing the facts, reasoning, and how it addressed the written reasons for nonrenewal. The bill also requires video functionality to remain active during remote hearings unless during a formal recess.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Landlord Registration and Tenant Protection Act" to update New Jersey's landlord registration system and strengthen tenant protections. Landlords (including owners of condos, cooperatives, and multi-unit buildings) must register with local authorities within seven days of taking ownership, providing detailed contact information like names, addresses, and phone numbers. It creates new tenant rights regarding advance notice for inspections, maintenance requests, and repairs, while also allowing landlords to meet affordable housing requirements through rehabilitation projects instead of new construction. The law directly affects landlords managing rental properties and their tenants in multiple-dwelling buildings across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of seasonal rental properties (short-term rentals under 125 days) to clearly state in all advertisements whether pets are permitted. If they fail to disclose this, renters can cancel their agreement within 12 hours of moving in and receive a full refund of any payments. Online rental platforms and real estate agents acting as the owner’s representatives are not held liable for the owner’s failure to provide this notice. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.