Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill (A635) changes New Jersey's theft penalties by upgrading theft of $500,000 or more in value to a first-degree crime. Currently, theft of $75,000 to $499,999 is a second-degree crime. The change applies to all stolen property types, including cash, goods, or assets, and affects individuals committing large-scale thefts. It does not alter existing first-degree theft categories, such as theft of human remains via deception.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new parking facilities in New Jersey (with 8+ regular spaces) to reserve at least 1% of spaces - minimum one space - exclusively for people who cannot walk without a wheelchair. For non-residential facilities, these spaces are restricted 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (available to those with disability placards outside these hours); for parking adjacent to multiple dwelling units, they’re reserved 24/7. The spaces must be 12 feet wide, near building entrances, marked with the International Symbol of Access, and located closer to buildings than existing disability parking. The bill also mandates an educational campaign about these spaces and clarifies they’re in addition to current disability parking requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create model ordinances for siting warehouses (like distribution centers), helping towns and cities update their zoning rules. Municipalities can apply for up to $50,000 in reimbursement from a new $5 million state fund to revise zoning codes to align with these models. The law aims to help communities determine where large warehouses can be built, avoiding conflicts near homes, schools, parks, and historic areas. It directly affects local governments managing land use planning and warehouse development.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts New Jersey's tax levy growth limit for school districts that receive less state school aid than the previous year. Specifically, it adds a new adjustment factor equal to the decrease in state aid (excluding debt service and preschool aid) relative to the prior year. This allows affected districts to raise local taxes more than the standard 2% limit plus other adjustments (like enrollment or health costs) to compensate for reduced state funding. The change applies to all school districts experiencing a drop in state aid, helping them maintain budgets without needing voter approval for larger tax increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Advance Directives for Health Care Act to require healthcare representatives (appointed under a patient's advance directive) to consider the patient's religious beliefs when making medical decisions for an incapacitated patient. It adds this requirement to existing rules that already mandate representatives to act based on the patient's known wishes or in their best interests. The change directly affects patients who have designated healthcare representatives through advance directives and those representatives making treatment decisions. This policy update is part of New Jersey's existing framework for advance care planning, not a new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public school boards from teaching family life education, sex education, sexual health, sexual orientation, or gender identity to students in preschool through fourth grade. It directly affects school districts, students in those early grades, and current health education curricula. The bill requires the State Board of Education to revise the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education learning standards within 30 days of the law taking effect. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would double the income eligibility limit for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from $80,000 to $160,000 for both single and married applicants, effective for tax year 2017. The program provides property tax reimbursement to seniors (65+) and disabled residents who own or rent a primary home and have paid property taxes for 10+ consecutive years. By raising the income threshold, the bill allows more qualifying low-to-moderate income residents to receive reimbursement for property tax increases above their "base year" amount. It directly affects eligible seniors and disabled homeowners and renters statewide who currently exceed the $80,000 income limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's public employee retirement rules to allow certain purchased retirement credit to count toward qualifying for employer-provided health care benefits after retirement. Specifically, it adds an exception for service with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) abroad - where employees previously bought retirement credit but couldn't use it for health benefits. The change applies only to credit purchased after November 1, 2008, for CIA service outside the U.S., which was previously excluded under the same law. It directly affects New Jersey public employees who served in the CIA overseas and purchased retirement credit through the state's system.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey coastal municipalities that charge beach access fees to use those funds to improve, maintain, and police local areas near beaches that are significantly impacted by tourism (such as parking, sidewalks, or nearby parks). It requires municipalities to publicly explain in their annual financial reports and on their budget websites how these expenditures connect to tourism impacts. The bill directly affects municipalities bordering the Atlantic Ocean or tidal waters that collect beach fees, ensuring transparency in how tourism-related revenue is spent. It does not create new fees but expands permitted uses of existing fee revenue while adding accountability measures.

Maddy summaryACR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend New Jersey's existing $250 annual property tax deduction for veterans to Gold Star families. Specifically, it would allow parents, siblings, children, legal guardians, or other legal custodians of service members who died on active duty or from combat injuries to claim the deduction - currently available to honorably discharged veterans and unmarried surviving spouses. The amendment would maintain the $250 deduction amount and limit eligibility to one deduction per family, with priority among eligible relatives determined by law. This change requires voter approval through a constitutional referendum, as it modifies the state constitution.