Asm. Avi Schnall

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead companion animals. It mandates that veterinarians give owners a standard notification form detailing testing reasons, body handling protocols, and disposal rules (including that heads may not be returned after testing), along with a pamphlet explaining rabies vaccines and testing procedures. The pamphlet must be provided to owners when a rabies vaccine is administered, and veterinarians must display a related poster in their offices. The law applies to pet owners and veterinarians, with penalties for non-compliance, while also establishing optional mental health training for veterinary staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed the average per-pupil cost in their school district. It directly affects two groups: (1) homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their district of residence while attending school there, and (2) students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters (with state emergency declarations) who remain in their original district for up to two years. Under the bill, the state pays for transportation costs above the district’s average per-pupil transportation expense in both scenarios. The policy change modifies existing laws to shift this specific cost burden from local districts to the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1203 "CJ's Law" would make it illegal to manufacture or distribute substances containing kratom under specific circumstances by amending the state's controlled substances laws. The bill defines "controlled dangerous substances" broadly to include substances that metabolize into controlled drugs, directly targeting kratom products. This would affect businesses and individuals involved in producing or selling kratom-based products, shifting them from current legal status to criminalized activity under new penalties. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make local government business administrators eligible for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) by allowing them to transfer from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS. Currently, business administrators are excluded from both PERS and the DCRP under existing law. The bill amends eligibility rules to include business administrators in the DCRP and establishes a formal process for transferring to PERS. This change would provide these employees with access to a different retirement system they previously could not join.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes licensed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (serving adults with developmental disabilities receiving Tier C+ services) to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives unanimously consent in writing. It mandates that group homes must actively seek this consent, provide annual notices about the option, and allow residents to withdraw consent anytime without affecting housing placement. Devices must record continuously, retain footage for 90 days, undergo weekly inspections, and permit residents to review recordings upon request. The bill explicitly prohibits using refusal to consent as a barrier to housing and requires visitor notices at entrances.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4860) allows seasonal retail consumption alcohol license holders in New Jersey to exchange their limited-season licenses for full-year licenses. Currently, seasonal licenses permit alcohol sales only during summer (May 1-November 14) or winter (November 15-April 30) seasons, but this bill would enable businesses to sell alcohol year-round on the same terms as full-year license holders. The conversion requires paying a fee based on the average price of full-year licenses in the municipality, with a maximum of $250,000, plus the regular annual license fee. The bill does not create new licenses but allows existing seasonal license holders to convert to full-year status without changing municipal license limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows current seasonal retail consumption alcohol license holders in New Jersey to exchange their limited-season licenses (valid only during summer or winter months) for full-year "plenary" licenses. Seasonal license holders can surrender their existing license to the issuing authority to convert it to a year-round license, enabling them to sell alcohol every day of the year. Municipalities cannot prohibit this conversion or restrict the licensee's operating hours to match those of standard plenary license holders. The change directly affects seasonal license holders who currently operate under seasonal time limits, providing them with year-round operational flexibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's post-election audit procedures to enhance election integrity. It requires the Secretary of State to appoint an independent audit team each year to oversee manual or third-party electronic audits of voter-verifiable paper records for federal, statewide, and selected local elections. Audits must cover at least 2% of election districts (with exemptions for smaller elections) and must meet strict statistical standards: ensuring 99% confidence for statewide races and 90% for others that a full manual recount wouldn’t change results. The audit team must include statistical and auditing experts, with strict rules barring campaign staff or voting system vendors from participation. These changes directly affect county election officials who must conduct the audits and the Secretary of State who appoints the teams.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.