Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residence with intent to commit certain serious offenses (like robbery or violence) when others are present, carrying a mandatory 10-30 year prison sentence. It also upgrades residential burglaries to second-degree crimes when committed with aggravating factors like presence of occupants or weapons. Additionally, the bill requires juveniles accused of home invasion or carjacking to be tried in the county where the incident occurred, rather than their residence county. These changes directly affect individuals committing these offenses and juvenile court proceedings in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent "Veteran Obituary Fund" within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to cover costs for veterans' obituaries. Taxpayers can deduct donations to the fund (up to $50,000 annually) from their state income tax, with property donations over $500 requiring an independent appraisal. The fund accepts money or property donations from any source, which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers to pay for veteran obituaries. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to the fund and veterans' families, as it ensures obituary costs - averaging several hundred dollars - are covered without burdening families.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes certain elected legal officials, including county prosecutors, judges, and assistant attorneys general, to carry firearms at all times within New Jersey. To do so, they must complete a state-approved firearms training course and annually qualify in handgun use. The law amends New Jersey's firearm statute to exempt these specific roles from standard restrictions, without affecting the general public. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryACR 29 is a New Jersey legislative resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V convention of states. The bill seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. It functions as a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until two-thirds of states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step (not a law) to initiate a potential constitutional convention process, directly affecting New Jersey's legislative action and the broader state-level effort to influence federal governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires health care facilities to safeguard nursing home residents and those with preexisting conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, provide adequate care and therapies, allow family visitation, and maintain attorney access as essential services. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online, and all health care facilities must post them prominently. The bill directly affects vulnerable populations like nursing home residents and patients in medical facilities, aiming to prevent repeat of issues seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as restricted family access and inadequate care.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A1568 requires electric utilities to create flood mitigation plans for substations that caused 24-hour or longer power outages affecting at least 5% of customers in a municipality or county within the past decade. Utilities must submit these plans within 120 days after the state utility regulator establishes flood-resistance design rules. The regulator must approve or modify plans within 180 days and mandate implementation within one year. Crucially, utilities cannot request rate increases until their approved flood mitigation plans are fully completed. This directly affects all electric utilities operating in the state with affected substations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would upgrade theft of $500,000 or more to a first-degree crime in New Jersey, the most serious criminal classification. Currently, theft of $75,000 or more is a second-degree crime, but this bill sets $500,000 as the new threshold for the highest penalty. It applies to any theft where the amount involved is $500,000 or more, regardless of the property type. This change increases penalties for large-scale thefts without altering penalties for other theft categories, such as those involving human remains or controlled substances.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1627) requires colleges and universities to create written policies governing camping on campus grounds and facilities. It mandates that any individual or group seeking to camp must first get approval from the institution, defining "camping" broadly to include tents, overnight sleeping bags, makeshift shelters, and vehicles like RVs or campers. The policy must be adopted by each institution's governing board, and the law takes effect immediately upon passage. The bill directly affects campus users and institutions, setting a clear approval process for overnight stays using camping equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1601) allows school districts in New Jersey to administer certain motor vehicle services for prospective school bus drivers at school facilities, including knowledge tests, manual provision, ID verification, fee processing, and endorsement applications. It directly affects school districts and individuals seeking school bus driver licenses, as it streamlines the process by reducing the need to travel to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. Key provisions require the MVC to establish rules for this program, mandate coordination with school districts, and specify that schools cannot administer the required road test. The bill does not change licensing standards but makes initial steps toward obtaining a school bus driver license more accessible through schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program allowing New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands. It directly affects woodland owners (minimum 20 acres) who manage their land for agriculture, forestry, or horticulture under approved stewardship plans. The program permanently restricts development on these lands through easements funded by existing farmland preservation funds, requiring landowners to maintain agricultural or forest production. The committee coordinates with federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program to secure additional funding for this conservation effort.