Asm. Rosy Bagolie

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new separate criminal offense for burglary of a residential dwelling (a home or place for overnight stays), distinct from general burglary. It defines "residential dwelling" as any building primarily used as a home or adapted for overnight accommodation. The crime is classified as a third-degree offense unless the burglar causes bodily injury, uses a weapon, or enters while someone is present, in which case it becomes a second-degree offense. Penalties remain unchanged: third-degree burglary carries up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine, while second-degree carries up to ten years and a $150,000 fine. The bill aims to improve tracking of residential burglaries by establishing this specific category.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey health care facilities to employ certified nurse aides (trained professionals who assist with patient care) as personal care assistants. It directly affects licensed health care facilities and certified nurse aides by removing a current restriction that prevented this dual role. The key provision amends licensing rules to permit facilities to hire these trained aides specifically for personal care assistant duties, without requiring additional certification. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits prosecutors from negotiating plea agreements that reduce the sentence for burglary when a firearm was used during the offense. Currently, burglary involving a firearm is a second-degree crime, but the bill ensures defendants cannot receive a lighter sentence through plea deals - requiring them to face the standard sentencing for second-degree burglary as defined by law. The law defines "firearm" broadly to include items like air guns, spring guns, and other devices capable of causing injury. This directly affects individuals charged with burglary who used a firearm, eliminating the option of plea bargains for reduced penalties in these specific cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to conduct a study on residential burglaries and issue annual reports to the governor and legislature. The reports must include detailed county-level data on burglary frequency, timing (day/night/weekend), weapon use, injuries, property value, and charges against adults or juveniles. The Attorney General must also summarize current law enforcement prevention efforts and provide recommendations for reducing burglaries. The initial report is due within six months of the bill's enactment, with annual updates thereafter.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's burglary statute (N.J.S.2C:5-5) to explicitly include keyless locking mechanisms under the definition of "burglar's tools." It makes it a crime to manufacture, possess, or publish plans for tools designed to bypass keyless locks with the intent to commit burglary. Manufacturing such tools or publishing plans is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), while mere possession is a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals who create or distribute devices specifically intended to illegally access premises through keyless systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to ensure its child abuse reporting hotline provides callers with information about available support resources for victims and their families. The hotline, which currently handles abuse reports, will now also share details on community services such as counseling, parenting programs, and substance abuse treatment. This change mandates that all hotline interactions include referrals to these assistance programs, directly helping families seeking immediate support after reporting abuse. The amendment applies to the emergency hotline maintained by DCPP and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants extra fees or rent for keeping pets in residential rental units. Landlords cannot require additional payments, include pet-related fees in leases, or impose nonrefundable charges beyond a single $500 refundable security deposit (included within the standard security deposit limit). Tenants who face violations can seek court-ordered lease termination or sue for $1,000 per offense plus legal fees. The law applies to all residential rentals (excluding hotels/motels) and affects both current tenants and applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or guardians with 60 days' written notice before increasing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), first-class mail, or in-person delivery to the parent's last known address, and also post it on their website and display it prominently at the center. The notice requirement applies to all tuition rate changes occurring three months after the bill's enactment. This directly affects parents of children enrolled in licensed child care centers by giving them advance warning of fee changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the right to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), to New Jersey's constitutional protections for reproductive choice. It explicitly expands existing rights - previously covering contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy decisions - to include choosing whether to use ART. The law states that any state, county, or local law limiting this right is invalid and unenforceable. It directly affects all New Jersey residents seeking or providing ART services, reinforcing access amid legal challenges in other states like Alabama. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires longer prison sentences for individuals convicted twice before of receiving stolen property. It applies specifically to people with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime, regardless of when they occurred. The prosecutor must request an extended sentence if the current offense happened within 10 years of either the defendant's last release from prison or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing before imposing this sentence, allowing the defendant to challenge the evidence. This changes sentencing by mandating extended terms for repeat offenders of this specific property crime.