Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 standard, which includes specific examples of anti-Semitic conduct. It requires state agencies, schools, and institutions to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on violations of anti-discrimination policies or laws. The bill clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other nations does not constitute anti-Semitism under this definition. It explicitly states that the definition will not override First Amendment protections or existing state/federal anti-discrimination laws. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "CJ's Law" (A 1617), would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who use or sell kratom products, including those who currently purchase or consume kratom for personal use. The key mechanism is amending New Jersey's controlled substances law (N.J.S.2C:35-2) to explicitly include kratom as a prohibited substance under the definition of "controlled dangerous substances." The bill is pending before the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1194) prevents New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) from denying child care subsidies to teachers and school employees based on their work hours during periods when schools are not in session for students (e.g., summer break or holidays). It directly affects educators who qualify for subsidies but would otherwise lose eligibility due to reduced hours outside the school year. The key provision ensures these workers are not held to the standard 30-hour weekly work requirement during non-school weeks, though they still must participate in regular eligibility reviews. This change aligns with DHS's existing subsidy program, which supports low-to-moderate-income working parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a water safety fact sheet for schools, developed with input from organizations like the American Red Cross. The fact sheet must include practical tips for preventing drowning, the importance of swim lessons, and locations offering free or low-cost water safety courses in each county. Public school districts must distribute the fact sheet to parents/guardians during initial student enrollment, while nonpublic schools may choose to distribute it but are not required to. The bill directly affects parents of newly enrolled students in public schools and provides accessible resources for water safety education across the state. It takes effect after a four-month implementation period following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization (conception), requiring physicians to determine the unborn child's post-fertilization age before performing an abortion. It directly affects women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and physicians who perform such procedures. Key exceptions allow abortions for: (1) life-threatening medical conditions of the pregnant person; (2) rape (if reported to authorities and 48-hour counseling is obtained); or (3) incest involving minors (if reported). If an abortion occurs under an exception and the child survives, the bill requires a neonatal care specialist to be present to provide life-saving care.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to prioritize current residents when processing applications for affordable housing units. It directly affects municipalities administering affordable housing programs and current residents seeking housing. The key provision mandates that municipalities must give preference to existing residents in their communities during the application review process. This change modifies existing housing regulations to ensure local residents have first access to newly available affordable units. The policy creates a concrete requirement for municipalities to implement this residency priority in their housing allocation systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1637) expands New Jersey's temporary disability benefits program to cover special law enforcement officers employed by local governments. It directly affects officers appointed under P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.8 et seq.), who previously might not have qualified. The key provision automatically includes their employers as "covered employers" without requiring separate election, and defines these officers as "covered individuals" eligible for benefits. Unlike other state employees, they won’t need to exhaust accumulated sick leave before accessing temporary disability benefits.