Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding and flexibility for New Jersey's Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides financial support to nonprofits at high risk of attacks (including terrorism, extremism, or violence). It raises the maximum annual grant for security personnel from $10,000 to $25,000 per application (with a $75,000 yearly cap per organization) and for security equipment from $50,000 to $100,000 per application. Organizations may now apply for multiple grants for separate locations and receive both personnel and equipment funding in the same year - previously prohibited. The bill also mandates a minimum annual budget request of $14 million (up from $2 million) and specifies funding allocation: 55% for personnel, 36% for equipment, and 4% for outreach.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies (like the Department of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and the Board of Public Utilities) from requiring buildings to use electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary method until a specific report is issued. It directly affects building owners, developers, and utilities by delaying mandatory electric system requirements, though it does not stop voluntary adoption or private use of electric systems. The key mechanism requires the Department of Community Affairs to hold six public hearings across the state within 18 months (covering costs, environmental impacts, and worker effects) and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months. After the report is published, the prohibition on mandates expires, allowing agencies to proceed with rules based on the findings.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2265) requires all public school districts to include water safety instruction in health education for students in grades K-12 as part of existing curriculum standards. It mandates teaching specific topics: the dangers of rip tides, beach safety practices (especially for students not near coastlines), hand signals for swimmer distress, and lifeguard sightline limitations. The instruction must be integrated into the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards starting with the first full school year after enactment. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public school students and their health education curriculum.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and carjacking in New Jersey. For repeat offenses, it raises fines to $1,000 (third or subsequent offenses) and allows courts to suspend driving privileges for up to 10 years. It also creates a presumption of pretrial detention for defendants charged with carjacking who commit related crimes within a short timeframe, requiring courts to hold hearings before releasing them. The fines collected will fund auto theft law enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents new employees of school board and county college insurance groups from joining New Jersey's state retirement system (PERS). It also ends retirement coverage for current employees in these groups with fewer than 10 years of service credit. Employees with 10 or more years may keep their retirement coverage if they continue working without interruption. The bill repeals prior laws that allowed certain employees on leave to purchase additional pension credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act," would provide a 50% reimbursement for the school portion of property taxes paid by eligible seniors aged 65 or older. To qualify, applicants must own or lease a homestead (including traditional homes, mobile homes in parks, condos, or cooperatives) as their primary residence, with income limits of $35,000 in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, and no limit thereafter. The reimbursement covers half the school tax portion paid on qualifying property, excluding commercial units or secondary residences, and adjusts for existing tax reductions. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Maddy summaryThis bill (A475) expands eligibility for accidental disability retirement benefits and survivor benefits under New Jersey's Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), State Police Retirement System (SPRS), and Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It extends the filing deadline for accidental disability claims from 5 years to allow for delayed disability manifestations (e.g., from 9/11 exposure), and adds new qualifying health conditions like PTSD, respiratory illnesses, and cancer linked to work exposure. Public safety workers who participated in World Trade Center rescue/cleanup operations (or sustained injuries during those efforts) can now have disabilities presumed work-related without proving negligence, using alternate medical documentation if standard proof isn’t available. This directly affects first responders and public employees with qualifying conditions tied to their duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's theft statute to reclassify motor vehicle theft as a second-degree crime (previously third-degree), increasing penalties. It adds a new fine structure: $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense, with courts able to suspend driving privileges for up to 10 years. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stealing vehicles, including repeat offenders. Note: The bill title mentions "home detention for minors," but the provided text only addresses theft penalties and driving sanctions - no home detention provisions are included in the cited sections. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's individual gross income tax rates by 10% across all income brackets, phased over three years. It directly affects all New Jersey individual taxpayers who file income tax returns (excluding charitable trusts and pension-related trusts). The key mechanism lowers the percentage rates applied to each income tier, as shown in the amended tax tables, without changing income thresholds. The reduction applies uniformly to all taxable income levels, starting from the effective date of the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public and private institutions of higher education from receiving state funding if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli entities. Specifically, it blocks state operating aid, student scholarships, and certain bonds if an institution boycotts Israeli goods, boycotts companies doing business with Israel, divests due to a company's support for Israel, or supports the BDS movement. Exceptions apply for divestment due to "prudent economic reasons." The law directly affects all higher education institutions in New Jersey, including their endowment funds and departments. It takes effect immediately upon passage.