Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in New Jersey to provide temporary disability benefits to special law enforcement officers (appointed under P.L.1985, c.439) without needing to formally elect coverage. It directly affects these officers and their local employers, ensuring automatic eligibility for benefits under the Temporary Disability Benefits Law. The key change eliminates the previous requirement for local entities to voluntarily opt into coverage for these specific officers. This aligns with existing rules for state employees but applies specifically to local special law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 206) urges Congress to award the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or equivalent recognition) to U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It directly affects veterans of that specific deployment period, citing their service in a hostile environment involving combat support, training, and civil action, with some troops facing hostile fire and casualties. The resolution requests Congress issue the medal to honor their service and sacrifices, including those who received Purple Hearts or lost their lives. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force but formally asks Congress to recognize these veterans' contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about preventing water-related accidents and drownings. It specifically encourages the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), in consultation with the Department of Health, to provide resources to public schools for water safety education programs targeting students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Schools may partner with nonprofit organizations to hold presentations and activities during this month, focusing on age-appropriate safety practices. The bill cites CDC data showing drowning as a leading cause of death for young children to justify its purpose. It does not create new legal requirements but promotes educational outreach through existing state departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to reimburse small retail businesses for increased operating costs caused by public highway projects. It directly affects small retail businesses (with ≤50 employees) located in areas where highway construction blocks traffic or access ("impacted construction zones") during project timelines ("relief periods"). Businesses apply to the EDA with documentation comparing their normal daily operating expenses before the project to their actual expenses during the project, including lost revenue. The EDA will issue reimbursements for the difference between these amounts, using funds appropriated from the General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow elected officials (including U.S. Senators, U.S. House members, and locally elected officials) and their appointed chief of staff to carry firearms in New Jersey, subject to specific training requirements. The exemption applies at all times while in the state but only for the duration of the elected official's term. Before carrying a firearm, both elected officials and their chief of staff must complete a Police Training Commission-approved firearms course and annually qualify in firearm use. This policy change expands existing exemptions for carrying firearms to include these government positions while maintaining standardized training and qualification requirements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey schools and colleges to designate sports teams based on biological sex at birth (male, female, or coed), prohibiting students identified as male from participating on teams designated for females. If a student's sex is disputed, they must provide a physician's statement verifying reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup. The bill shields schools from penalties for maintaining sex-specific teams and allows students or schools to sue for violations or retaliation within two years, seeking damages and legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including cities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, schools, parks, or buildings) after a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the federal government. Local governments must remove existing names within 30 days and rename the property within 90 days of the bill's effective date. The state will maintain an annual list of such organizations and reimburse local governments for costs related to removal and renaming. Violations may result in daily deductions from state aid allocated to the local government.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A4753 requires hospitals and birthing facilities to show new parents (and any adult family members present at birth) a water safety video before discharge. The video covers drowning risks in bathtubs and pools, importance of swimming instruction, life jacket use, and pool safety features like fences. Facilities must incorporate this video into standard discharge procedures, with the Department of Health creating and distributing the video via its website or electronic means. This applies to all licensed birthing facilities providing newborn care in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to include Jewish persons within the statutory definitions of "minority," "minority group member," and "minority business." The change would expand eligibility for minority business enterprise programs and set-aside contracts to Jewish-owned businesses that previously did not qualify under the existing definitions. The bill updates various sections of law that use these terms in contexts including public contracting, procurement guidelines, and business certification programs. This is a technical definition change that ensures Jewish business owners can access the same opportunities as other defined minority business owners in state procurement processes.