Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1636) classifies 7-Hydroxymitragynine as a Schedule I controlled substance and bans the sale, manufacture, and distribution of any product containing it. The law requires manufacturers and distributors to immediately recall any products containing the substance, mandates retailers to remove such products from shelves within 48 hours, and requires retailers to return recalled inventory to manufacturers within 30 business days. Violations are punishable as crimes, ranging from fourth-degree offenses for first violations to second-degree crimes for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects businesses selling or handling products with 7-Hydroxymitragynine, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an 18-month mandatory prison term (with no parole eligibility during this period) for a second or subsequent offense involving an adult (18+ years) who knowingly uses, hires, or directs a juvenile (17 or younger) to commit automobile theft. It directly affects adults who exploit minors in car theft crimes, adding a strict penalty on top of existing second-degree crime charges. The law explicitly states that mistakenly believing the minor was older than 17 is not a valid defense. This change applies only to repeat offenses, leaving first-time penalties unchanged under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for stealing catalytic converters by automatically raising the theft offense one criminal grade. Under current New Jersey law, theft penalties depend on factors like property value, but this bill specifies that any catalytic converter stolen will be treated as a more serious crime - such as elevating a fourth-degree theft (for property valued between $200-$500) to a third-degree offense. The change applies directly to anyone who steals a catalytic converter, regardless of the item's value or other circumstances. This policy adjustment aims to deter thefts of these vehicle parts, which often contain valuable metals targeted by thieves.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 66) 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 who provided training, combat support, and military exercises in Honduras during that period. The resolution, if adopted, would be sent to congressional leaders as a formal request for this recognition. The bill does not create new law but seeks to prompt Congress to address a specific historical recognition for service members.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a 20-year period for adverse possession, meaning a person who openly and continuously occupies someone else's property for 20 years (meeting specific conditions like actual, notorious use) gains full ownership rights. It directly affects private property owners and occupants by clarifying when they can legally claim title. The bill exempts public property - such as land used for government, schools, parks, or utility services - from this rule, and creates a separate 40-year requirement for tidal-flowed land that was no longer tidal during the occupation period. It repeals conflicting older laws to resolve confusion about property ownership timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1578, "Opportunity Scholarship Act") creates a pilot program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to receive state tax credits for donating to nonprofit scholarship organizations. These organizations then provide scholarships to low-income children (household income ≤2.5x federal poverty level) attending chronically failing public schools, defined as schools with high percentages of students scoring below proficiency in state assessments for two consecutive years. Scholarships cover up to $6,000 annually for K-8 students or 40% of average per-pupil spending in targeted districts for grades 9-12, usable at eligible public or nonpublic schools meeting specific non-discrimination and academic standards. The program is administered through the Department of Treasury and requires schools to accept scholarship students on a space-available basis.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the use of regional contribution agreements, which previously allowed New Jersey municipalities to transfer portions of their affordable housing obligations to other municipalities. It directly affects local governments that relied on this mechanism to meet their constitutional fair share housing requirements under the Mount Laurel doctrine. The bill removes the provision permitting such transfers (previously listed in section j) and aligns housing policy with the Legislature's 2008 decision to disallow inter-municipal obligation transfers. This change focuses on requiring municipalities to address their own housing needs through local planning, zoning, and funding mechanisms rather than regional agreements. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Housing Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to create a policy for reviewing game clock decisions in playoff basketball tournaments using video and audio recordings. It mandates that all playoff games be officially recorded for review and allows each head coach to challenge up to two game clock decisions per game. The policy applies to all high school basketball teams participating in NJSIAA playoff tournaments. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey 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/pools, importance of swimming lessons, life jacket use, and pool safety features like anti-entrapment drains. Facilities must incorporate this viewing into standard discharge procedures. The video will be created and distributed by the state Department of Health via website or electronic means. It directly affects new parents and newborns in New Jersey hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.