Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill (A772) requires that at least one member of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) must reside in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County. It amends the state law governing BPU appointments by adding this residency requirement for all new appointees. The change applies to all future appointments to the BPU, ensuring representation from these four coastal counties. This is a procedural change affecting BPU membership rules, not the board's policy responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes New Jersey municipalities' use of regional contribution agreements to meet their fair share housing obligations. Currently prohibited since 2008, these agreements would allow a municipality to transfer up to 50% of its affordable housing requirement to another municipality within its housing region. The Council on Affordable Housing would review and approve these agreements to ensure they provide reasonable access to affordable housing near employment opportunities. This change would restore a mechanism that was previously permitted before the 2008 prohibition.

Maddy summaryBill A2215 raises penalties for unlawfully taking a motor vehicle without the owner's permission. Currently a fourth-degree crime, the basic offense becomes a third-degree crime under the bill, increasing maximum penalties to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. For cases involving reckless operation that risks injury or property damage, the bill elevates the offense from third to second degree, with penalties of up to ten years in prison and a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who commit unauthorized vehicle takeovers, such as joyriding, by making punishments more severe for both standard and reckless scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase penalties for motor vehicle theft in New Jersey, upgrading it from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime. Currently, motor vehicle theft is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine, but the bill would increase the maximum sentence to 10 years and the fine to $150,000. The bill also authorizes courts to sentence minors under 18 convicted of motor vehicle theft to home detention, allowing them to leave home only for court appearances, probation appointments, attorney meetings (with notice), or other court-approved reasons. Additionally, it requires courts to schedule a hearing for minors arrested for motor vehicle theft within 48 hours of arrest.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and carjacking in New Jersey, imposing fines of $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses, along with possible driving privilege suspensions up to 10 years. It establishes a presumption of pretrial detention for defendants who commit motor vehicle theft or carjacking followed by subsequent, interdependent crimes within a short timeframe. The presumption can be rebutted by the defendant with a preponderance of evidence, but if not, the defendant would be detained before trial. This makes certain sequences of crimes a first-degree offense punishable by 10-20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state employees who were temporarily working at New Jersey psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities before joining the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to apply for accidental disability benefits if injured during that temporary employment. It deems injuries sustained while performing duties (e.g., as nurses, correction officers, or healthcare workers) at those facilities as occurring "during membership" for PERS benefit eligibility, even if the injury happened before PERS enrollment. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2003, and covers employees who later become PERS members without interruption in their job. This specifically affects temporary workers in state psychiatric or correctional facilities who were previously ineligible for PERS disability benefits after becoming members.

Maddy summaryACR 67 is a New Jersey legislative resolution that formally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism and rejects efforts to justify anti-Jewish hatred. It references rising anti-Semitic incidents, including the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue attack and New Jersey’s ranking as third-highest in the U.S. for such incidents that year. The resolution urges vigilance against hate crimes, supports Holocaust education, and calls for state leaders to join national efforts against anti-Semitism. As a symbolic measure, it has no binding legal effect but expresses the state legislature’s position on the issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2253) increases the annual amount credited to New Jersey's Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million. The fund receives the state portion of realty transfer fees collected when property deeds are recorded (calculated at $1.25 per $500 of property value). The change applies immediately to all future State fiscal years following enactment. This directly affects the Shore Protection Fund's annual funding level, doubling its baseline allocation from realty transfer fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) from denying child care subsidies to teachers and school employees based on their weekly work hours during periods when schools are not in session for students. It specifically exempts these workers from the standard requirement of working 30+ hours per week during non-school weeks (like summer or holidays), as long as they meet other eligibility criteria like income limits. Teachers and school employees will no longer need to report changes in their non-school work hours to DHS, though they must still complete standard renewal checks. The policy directly affects school staff who previously faced subsidy loss during school breaks despite otherwise qualifying.

Maddy summaryAJR 28 designates the third full week in May each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" in New Jersey. The resolution encourages counties, cities, and school districts to promote drowning prevention awareness through local activities and programs. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation urging public officials and residents to observe the week, emphasizing proven safety strategies like close adult supervision, pool barriers, swimming lessons, and life jackets for non-swimmers. This commemorative resolution aims to raise public awareness about drowning being a leading cause of preventable child injury and death, particularly for children under five.