Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child care subsidy program to cover families with annual incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level (currently $83,250 for a family of four), directly affecting working parents of children under age 13. It establishes four income tiers for eligibility and sliding-scale payments to licensed child care providers, ensuring subsidies don't drop below pandemic-era rates. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation and requires the state to seek federal matching funds. It replaces the previous 200% income cap, significantly broadening access to subsidized care for middle-income families.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the asset limits (resource thresholds) for New Jersey Medicaid eligibility under the "medically needy" program. It raises the maximum allowable assets from current levels to $40,000 for single-person households, $60,000 for two-person households, and an additional $20,000 per extra person in larger households. These changes directly affect individuals who qualify as "medically needy" - including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and people who are blind or disabled - by allowing them to retain more assets while still qualifying for Medicaid coverage. The policy adjustment aligns New Jersey’s resource standards with federal guidelines for medically needy eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program where New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) awards grants to small businesses that closed for one month or more due to state or public infrastructure projects. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned with fewer than 10 employees, under $1.5 million in annual revenue, and prove economic loss from the closure. The EDA will determine grant amounts based on operating expenses during the closure, and the entity conducting the infrastructure project must contribute 0-5% of the project’s total cost to fund these grants. The EDA will manage applications, disburse funds, and establish reporting requirements for recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "The Voter Convenience Act," would allow voters in New Jersey municipalities to cast ballots at any polling place within their municipality on election day, rather than being restricted to their specific assigned polling location. It directs the Secretary of State and county election officials to create uniform guidelines enabling electronic check-in (using existing poll books) and automatic ballot assignment to the voter's correct election district at any polling site. Voters would simply walk into any polling place in their municipality, have their identity verified electronically, and receive the correct ballot for their district without needing to go to a specific district table. The bill also permits potential countywide implementation where voters could use designated locations across their entire county.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools participating in federal meal programs to provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of household income or federal eligibility status. It eliminates the current requirement for schools to verify family income or collect household data to determine meal eligibility. The policy change applies directly to all students in participating schools and replaces the existing income-based system with universal provision. The bill amends existing statutes to remove income verification requirements for meal eligibility under the National School Lunch Program and federal School Breakfast Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1204) requires New Jersey building inspectors to complete construction inspections within three business days of a property owner's written request. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and building inspectors by mandating a specific 3-day timeline for inspections and restricting inspections to 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on business days unless an immediate safety hazard exists. Key provisions include requiring inspectors to notify owners in writing if they cannot meet the 3-day window and allowing owners to hire authorized private inspectors if delays persist. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into an existing law (P.L.2025, c.173).

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey temporary disability and family leave benefits are calculated for workers. Starting July 1, 2020, it increases the weekly benefit rate from two-thirds (66%) to 85% of an individual's average weekly wage, with a new cap of 70% of the statewide average wage (up from 53%). It also clarifies that daily benefits will be calculated based directly on the weekly rate, rather than using a one-seventh fraction. This directly affects workers in New Jersey who qualify for temporary disability or family leave benefits after the effective date. The change increases potential benefit amounts for eligible workers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1698) allows eligible voters to register to vote on election day or during early voting at their assigned polling place or early voting site, provided they meet specific requirements. It directly affects voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline before an election. Key provisions require voters to provide valid ID (like a utility bill or photo ID), complete a provisional ballot affirmation statement confirming they haven't voted already, and submit the registration in person. The bill updates existing law to make same-day registration at polling locations a standard option, ensuring provisional ballots from eligible voters are counted if all requirements are met.