Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1613) allows New Jersey school districts to use existing "security categorical aid" funding to hire school security personnel for students attending nonpublic schools within the district. It amends current law to explicitly include hiring security staff as an allowable use of this specific funding, which districts already receive under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. The change clarifies that security services provided to nonpublic school students - including security personnel - align with the Secure Schools for All Children Act requirements. The bill does not create new funding but specifies how current resources can be applied.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1569) adds a new disqualification to New Jersey's firearm permit process: individuals named on the federal Terrorist Watchlist maintained by the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center cannot obtain a firearm identification card or handgun purchase permit. It directly affects New Jersey residents whose names appear on this federal list. The bill amends existing law (N.J.S.2C:58-3) to include this watchlist as a specific reason for denial, requiring law enforcement to inform applicants denied under this provision. The change applies to all firearm permit and identification card applications, with a provision allowing applicants to contest the denial by proving they are not the person listed on the watchlist. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses in New Jersey from selling, manufacturing, or distributing personal flotation devices (PFDs) like lifejackets, water wings, or puddle jumpers that lack U.S. Coast Guard approval. It directly affects businesses selling PFDs designed for children under 12 years old. Violators face tiered fines: up to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for subsequent offenses, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law aims to remove unapproved, potentially unsafe PFDs from the market to ensure consumers can access reliable safety equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3739) designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about preventing water-related accidents and drowning. It directly affects public schools and students in grades kindergarten through five, encouraging the Department of Education (with the Department of Health) to provide resources for water safety education during this month. Key provisions include supporting school presentations, partnerships with nonprofits, and educational activities focused on age-appropriate safety practices. The bill aims to address drowning as a leading cause of death for young children, per CDC data, through proactive school-based learning.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that licensed private detectives in New Jersey can access personal motor vehicle records from the Motor Vehicle Commission for any legal proceeding (civil, criminal, or administrative), without needing to prove litigation is imminent. It removes a previous requirement that detectives demonstrate litigation was "imminent or foreseeable" before obtaining such records. Detectives must still submit proper documentation, including a written request form with required details and certifications. The change directly affects licensed private detectives seeking driver or vehicle records for legal work, while maintaining other disclosure restrictions for safety, insurance, or business purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates all open water lifeguards employed in New Jersey as official "first responders" and "emergency response providers" under state law. It directly affects every paid open water lifeguard working in the state, recognizing their existing roles in life-saving operations, medical response, and emergency protection of property/environment. The key mechanism is a statutory change in terminology - replacing "open water lifeguard" with these official titles in all legal references. This aligns with the Legislature's finding that lifeguards already perform the four defined duties of first responders (responding to victims, treating, assisting, transporting) and meet federal standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1625) prohibits New Jersey colleges and universities from creating scholarship funds or student aid programs exclusively for students who are citizens or permanent residents of countries or territories controlled by terrorist organizations designated by the U.S. Secretary of State. It directly affects higher education institutions in New Jersey, requiring them to ensure all scholarship programs are available regardless of a student's nationality tied to such designations. Violations would cut off state funding, including operating aid, state bond proceeds, and student assistance program funds administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The law takes effect immediately and does not apply to scholarships open to all students without nationality restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program, increasing its total funding for fiscal year 2025 to $701,000 (from an estimated $201,000). The funds will support grants to New Jersey-based institutions of higher education, non-profits, and research organizations to provide pre-symptomatic testing, neurology/psychiatry services, treatment, disease management, and counseling. It directly affects approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and about 7,000 at-risk individuals. Huntington's disease is a fatal, inherited condition causing progressive neurological decline without a cure.

Maddy summaryAJR 52 designates the third full week in May each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging communities, schools, and officials to promote drowning prevention awareness through local activities. It focuses on raising public awareness about proven safety strategies, such as close adult supervision, pool barriers, swimming lessons, and life jackets for non-swimmers. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly parents and caregivers of young children, by highlighting preventable drowning risks. This is a procedural resolution with no new regulations, solely aimed at increasing community awareness.