Asm. Barbara McCann Stamato

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2202) upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against a crossing guard or parking enforcement officer who is clearly identifiable as performing their duties (e.g., in uniform or at a school crossing). It directly affects these public safety workers by increasing penalties for assaults against them during official duties. Under the bill, such assaults would become a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison) if bodily injury occurs, rather than a lesser fourth-degree offense. This aligns with existing protections for other frontline workers like police, firefighters, and school staff under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey homeowners who rehabilitate qualifying historic properties to claim a 25% tax credit against their state income tax, capped at $25,000 per property over ten years. To qualify, properties must be listed on the National or New Jersey Historic Register, and homeowners must occupy the property as their primary residence for 12 months after rehabilitation. The credit requires rehabilitation costs to meet specific thresholds (at least 50% of the property’s assessed value) and limits interior work to no more than 60% of total costs. The program has a total cap of $15 million in annual credits and requires certification from the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2207) requires written spousal consent before certain retirement benefit elections take effect for members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), Judicial Retirement System (JRS), or Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It applies when a member chooses a payout option that either pays only during their lifetime (with no spouse benefit) or provides less than half the retirement allowance to the spouse for life. The consent must be in writing, witnessed by a pension official or notary, and acknowledge the election's effect. Exceptions exist if a spouse cannot be located, there is no spouse, or other circumstances are documented by the pension system.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts purchases of certain pet medications from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects pet owners who buy medications for their "qualified pets" (domestic animals kept for companionship, not for research or business). The exemption covers medications recognized by state pharmacy/veterinary boards for treating disease, prescribed by licensed vets, or intended to affect a pet's body function - excluding general pet food or supplements. The law takes effect in the first full calendar quarter after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses in New Jersey's financial, essential infrastructure, and healthcare sectors to create and maintain cybersecurity programs. These programs must include risk assessments, incident response plans, and alignment with recognized industry standards like NIST. Businesses must submit their plans to the state's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) and annually certify compliance. Non-compliant businesses may face mandatory audits by independent cybersecurity firms at their own expense.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 explicitly covers elder abuse occurring in domestic settings. It directly affects elderly individuals living in non-institutionalized homes (not in care facilities) who experience abuse from family members or caregivers. The key change amends the Act's definition of "victim of domestic violence" to expressly include "elderly persons" who are not protected under separate elder care laws (P.L.1977, c.239). This ensures elderly victims in domestic situations receive the same legal protections as other domestic violence victims under existing statutes. The bill does not create new penalties but updates the law to close a gap in coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), a blood test performed at 10 weeks of pregnancy to screen for Down syndrome and chromosomal abnormalities. It mandates that hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers offer NIPT to all pregnant people, with the option to provide written refusal, and provide educational information about chromosomal abnormalities. Healthcare providers must discuss test results with patients and refer those with positive results to genetic counselors. The bill also requires insurers to cover the full cost of NIPT without cost-sharing for Medicaid recipients, applying to all health insurance contracts delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create and distribute a multilingual resource guide about preeclampsia and gestational diabetes to all pregnant individuals receiving care in the state. The guide must explain symptoms, health effects on mother and baby, and communication strategies for healthcare concerns. Hospitals and birthing centers must provide the guide during patient intake, and the Department must also make it available online in printable format. The policy aims to improve health literacy and support for pregnant people during prenatal care.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits tourist helicopter operations that provide sightseeing tours in specific areas, including the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. It requires the Commissioner of Transportation to ban these operations at all state-licensed aviation facilities like airports, heliports, and helistops. The prohibition does not apply to helicopters operated by federal/military authorities, state government, or for emergency medical transportation. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.