Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove conservation restrictions from property when the owner needs the land for expanding a special needs school, provided they also establish a new conservation restriction on a parcel at least twice as large within 20 miles. It applies specifically to properties with restrictions tied to Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permits. The new restriction must protect land similarly to the original. This creates a trade-off between development for education and expanded conservation coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fourth-degree crime for using GPS or location tracking devices to monitor a vehicle with the intent to commit an unlawful act (such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or vehicle theft). It directly affects individuals who misuse tracking technology to harass or threaten others. The key provision mandates a minimum 5-year prison sentence for this offense - replacing the standard penalty of up to 18 months - under New Jersey’s sentencing law for fourth-degree crimes. This change applies to any tracking device used with unlawful intent, regardless of the specific crime involved. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 2875 allows surviving spouses of retired police and fire department members (PFRS) to keep state-paid health coverage through the State Health Benefits Program and continue receiving pension benefits after remarriage, if the retiree's death was linked to a work-related disability. The law requires surviving spouses to provide documentation proving the disability, its complications, or a worsened preexisting condition directly contributed to the retiree's death. Surviving spouses who lost pension benefits due to remarriage before this law can apply for reinstatement. This applies only to those who were receiving disability retirement benefits at the time of the retiree's death.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Mold Safe Housing Act," requires landlords in New Jersey to address visible mold in rental properties that poses health risks. It mandates that landlords investigate tenant reports of mold within 72 hours, clean affected areas, and fix water leaks causing mold growth. Tenants can seek relocation assistance through the state if landlords fail to act, with costs potentially recovered from the landlord via liens or legal action. The law directly affects renters in mold-affected units and landlords responsible for property maintenance, applying to most residential rentals except seasonal units or those already certified mold-free.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It provides a proportional exemption based on disability percentage (up to 100%), covering veterans with conditions like paralysis, amputations, or total blindness, and caps partial exemptions at $10,000. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions. Crucially, the state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions to offset costs. The law amends existing veteran property tax protections under P.L.1948, c.259.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's unemployment benefits eligibility rules to better support seasonal workers. It specifically adds that individuals taking unpaid vacations between seasonal jobs - where the break isn't self-initiated (e.g., after a seasonal role ends) - cannot be denied benefits for that week. The change prevents unemployment claims from being rejected solely due to these standard seasonal work gaps. This directly affects workers in seasonal industries like tourism, agriculture, or retail who transition between temporary roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes criminal liability for New Jersey law enforcement officers who interact with underage individuals regarding alcohol or cannabis possession, unless the officer intentionally discriminates based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. Currently, officers face criminal charges for such encounters regardless of intent, but this bill changes that by requiring proof of discriminatory purpose to trigger liability. Key provisions clarify that officers cannot be charged for routine actions like issuing warnings or conducting stops without reasonable suspicion - unless they act with discriminatory intent. The change directly affects officers responding to underage possession calls and the young people involved in these encounters.

Maddy summaryThe "Stop Social Media Censorship Act" (A 530) creates a private legal claim for New Jersey users (18+) of major social media platforms (over 75 million subscribers, publicly accessible, non-affiliated with single religion/politics) whose political or religious speech is deleted, blocked, or algorithmically suppressed. If a platform violates this, users can seek $75,000 minimum statutory damages per incident, plus actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law explicitly excludes content involving calls for violence, obscenity, court orders, or minor-user bullying from protected speech. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint a special advocate in criminal cases involving animal welfare (such as cruelty or dog fighting charges) to represent the animal's best interests, rather than the owner or state. The advocate monitors cases, reviews records from vets and officers, shares information with attorneys, and recommends animal placement to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.