Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility and from assisting federal immigration authorities. It requires government entities to adopt policies protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and shelters from immigration enforcement activities, ensuring immigrants can access public services without fear. The law mandates law enforcement training on these restrictions, prohibits detaining individuals based on immigration status, and requires annual reporting on interactions with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform immigrants of their rights under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $20 million in additional state funding for New Jersey's Summer Tuition Aid Grants program for the summer 2025 semester. It directs that eligible undergraduate students - those who received aid in the prior fall or spring semester and are enrolled in summer courses at the same institution - will receive 75% of the full grant amount they would normally qualify for under current law. The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to cover tuition costs for students enrolled in six or more credits during summer 2025. This is a supplemental appropriation to the existing FY2025 budget, specifically increasing the grant amount for summer enrollment without changing eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4936 requires all public school districts to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) instruction into K-12 curricula, covering AI concepts, foundational skills, and ethical use. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Education to provide age-appropriate teaching resources to support this requirement. Additionally, it requires public colleges to offer AI certificate and degree programs, with the Secretary of Higher Education developing standardized curricula for four-year colleges and county colleges. These model curricula must ensure academic quality, include course sequences, career pathway materials, and align with accreditation standards. The law takes effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses in New Jersey from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs - machines that let users buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. It defines cryptocurrency as digital money operating without a central authority (like a bank) and sets fines of up to $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for repeat offenses. The law targets a surge in fraud, as federal data shows cryptocurrency ATM scams caused over $65 million in losses in the first half of 2024 alone, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The bill aims to protect consumers by banning these machines, which have been linked to impersonation scams by fake government or tech companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission to suspend collection of motor vehicle surcharges for drivers incarcerated for more than 90 days during the three-year period surcharges are assessed. The suspension would last while the person is incarcerated and for at least 90 days after release. Crucially, the time during which surcharge collection is suspended would not count toward the standard 36-month payment window. Drivers would still need to pay the full surcharge amount within 36 months, but the incarceration period would not be included in that timeframe.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Type S School Bus Certificate" that would allow certain qualified drivers to operate specific school buses without needing a commercial driver's license, passenger endorsement, or school bus endorsement. To qualify, drivers must be at least 21 years old, have held a basic driver's license for three years, pass physical and eye exams, complete a knowledge exam, and finish special training for students with special needs. The certificate would apply to "Type S school buses," defined as vehicles designed for nine passengers or less (excluding driver) with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more, used for transporting students to and from school. This would streamline school bus operations for qualified drivers while maintaining safety standards for student transportation. The bill amends existing school bus regulations to include this new certification pathway.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow taxicabs, limousines, and transportation network companies (like Uber and Lyft) to provide paratransit services for a two-year period. Currently, paratransit services - transportation for people with disabilities that are not fixed-route bus services - are legally excluded from being provided by these companies, but the bill removes that exclusion. The change modifies the definition of "paratransit service" in state law to include these providers, expanding potential service options. This directly affects transportation companies and people with disabilities who rely on paratransit services, without altering the core requirements for such services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities through labor organizations. The program requires labor unions to identify job pathways in their trades and develop plans for hiring returning citizens, directly benefiting individuals recently released from prison who face high barriers to employment. It aims to reduce recidivism by addressing a key factor cited in the bill: the lack of viable jobs for this population, which correlates with higher reoffending rates. The program operates under the State Employment and Training Commission and mandates consultation with labor organizations to create sustainable career opportunities. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism to create and maintain a public website featuring information on the state's historic sites, districts, and roadside markers. The website must include an interactive map, driving directions from all compass points, tour schedules, photos, contact details for site owners, and links to local historical marker programs. It mandates regular updates when new sites are added by state agencies and allows public submissions for new roadside markers through an electronic form. The initiative aims to improve public access to New Jersey's historical resources for tourists and residents.