Asm. Cleopatra Tucker

Maddy summaryThis bill would raise the minimum age to obtain a firearms purchaser identification card (required for purchasing rifles and shotguns) from 18 to 21 years old. It would not affect the existing requirement that handgun purchasers must be at least 21 years old. Under the bill, people under 21 could still possess firearms for specific purposes like hunting with a valid license and safety certification, military training, or target practice under supervision. Active duty military members, reservists, and National Guard members would remain eligible for the card before age 21. Those who already had the card before the bill's effective date could continue to use it.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force to study eviction trends and impacts across the state. The 23-member task force - including state agency officials, legislators, legal experts, and community representatives - will examine causes of eviction, its effects on vulnerable renters (like low-income women of color and families with children), legal assistance gaps, and potential policy solutions. It will analyze housing laws, homelessness links, and successful approaches from other states, then submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The task force does not enact new laws but aims to inform future policy changes addressing housing insecurity.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years, restoring approximately $331 million in reduced aid payments that municipalities received during fiscal years 2009-2011. In fiscal year 2023, municipalities will receive 50% of the difference between their 2008 and 2012 aid distributions, with full restoration beginning in 2024. Municipalities must subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy calculations and cannot anticipate this aid when creating annual budgets. The bill requires municipalities to amend their budgets to properly reflect the total aid amount, ensuring the aid directly reduces the amount they need to raise through property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey registrars to issue certified electronic copies of vital records - including birth, death, marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership certificates - alongside paper copies upon request. It requires the Commissioner of Health to establish security standards for electronic copies, including identity verification, data encryption, and privacy protections. The change applies to authorized requesters (such as individuals, family members, or government agencies) who already qualify for paper certified copies under current law. Electronic copies must be distinguishable from non-certified informational versions and maintain the same authentication requirements as paper records.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies exemptions from mandatory immunization requirements for children in New Jersey child care centers and schools. It establishes two types of exemptions: medical exemptions requiring a licensed health professional's statement with specific medical reasons consistent with CDC guidelines, and sibling vaccine injury exemptions requiring documentation of a sibling's vaccine injury from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Approved exemptions will be included in New Jersey's Immunization Information System, and nonpublic schools may admit unvaccinated students if they follow specific procedures, including having students or parents sign an acknowledgement form and posting immunization rates. Schools must inform families about the risks of not vaccinating and may exclude unvaccinated students during disease outbreaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3165) requires New Jersey correctional facilities to create a confidential, fee-free system for inmates to report sexual assault, harassment, physical violence, or mental abuse by staff. It prohibits retaliation against reporting inmates - including transfers to restrictive housing or changes to job assignments - and mandates that facilities offer victim advocacy services. Correctional staff who retaliate against reporting inmates or fail to report abuse face criminal penalties (a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine). The law directly affects incarcerated individuals and correctional staff in New Jersey state facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create mandatory maternity care standards for general hospitals licensed to provide maternity services. The standards must focus on patient safety throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, aiming to reduce negative health events and racial disparities in outcomes. Hospitals must comply with these standards as a condition of their licensure. The standards will be based on national best practices from groups like the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health and must be updated as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the personal needs allowance for veterans and their spouses who receive Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It raises the monthly allowance from $35 to $50 for Medicaid recipients and from $40 to $50 for SSI recipients. The allowance will automatically increase each January by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The changes require federal approval before taking effect but will apply to veterans and spouses residing in facilities like nursing homes or psychiatric hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1582) requires New Jersey public school students who sustain a concussion to obtain an evaluation and written clearance from a licensed health care professional before returning to school. It also prohibits students from participating in any physical activities (like recess or PE) until they receive this clearance. School districts must implement any restrictions or limitations recommended by the health professional, using their 504 team (per N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3), and notify all relevant staff. The law applies directly to public school students, school districts, and licensed health care providers who diagnose/treat concussions.