Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new expedited court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who never paid rent, had no lease, or permission to live on the property. Property owners must submit a verified complaint with specific certifications (e.g., occupant never paid rent or had written permission) and provide written notice to the occupant before filing. The court must schedule a hearing within 5 business days and issue a writ of possession if the certifications are verified, requiring immediate removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases can recover treble damages for unlawful occupancy beyond standard remedies. The process applies only to occupants without any legal basis for occupancy, as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts and public colleges to appoint mental health specialists specifically for student-athletes. The specialists must conduct three mental health screenings per season, develop mental health policies, and provide resources to student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Schools must collect aggregated, non-identifying data on student-athlete mental health to create a statewide registry for trend analysis. The bill includes liability protection for specialists acting in good faith and provides funding from the General Fund for implementation. It directly affects all student-athletes participating in public school and college sports programs across New Jersey.

Maddy summary"Sebastien's Law" changes New Jersey's window guard requirements from an opt-in system (where tenants must request window guards) to an opt-out system (where landlords must install window guards in units where children 10 or younger reside or are regularly present, unless tenants specifically waive this requirement). Landlords must provide tenants with annual notices about window guard requirements and maintain the guards with regular inspections. Tenants with children can waive the requirement in writing but may rescind this waiver at any time without penalty or lease violation. The law applies to multiple dwellings (apartment buildings with three or more units) and aims to increase child safety by ensuring window guards are installed where children are present.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. It expands the definition of "labor organization" to include any group formed for collective bargaining or mutual aid among employees, and adds membership in such organizations to the list of protected characteristics. This means employers, labor organizations, and others cannot discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their membership in a labor union or employee representation committee. The law already protects people from discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, and disability; this bill extends that protection to include labor organization membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include disabled children of any age. Specifically, it adds a new category for children who are unable to work due to a long-term disability (lasting or expected to last at least 12 months), as verified by a medical board. This change directly affects adult children of retired or deceased police and firefighter members, allowing them to qualify for benefits they previously might not have received. The amendment modifies the eligibility criteria without altering other aspects of the retirement systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits unauthorized drone operations near schools in New Jersey. It makes it a disorderly persons offense to fly a drone below 250 feet over school property for surveillance, to hover over school grounds without permission, or to use school buildings/grounds as a drone takeoff or landing site. School administrators must provide written authorization for any drone activity within this zone. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law specifically exempts authorized public employees and first responders operating drones for official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4108) requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to produce monthly reports starting January 1, 2025, showing in-demand jobs, required skills, and geographic needs across the state. The reports must specifically map which in-demand jobs align with veterans' existing skills, experience, and credentials. DOLWD must then share these reports monthly with military out-placement offices, education centers, and other state agencies helping veterans find work. The law directly affects veterans by connecting their qualifications to current job opportunities in high-demand fields.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to add a special notation to vehicle registrations for drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. To qualify, applicants must provide medical verification of 41 dB or greater hearing loss from an ENT or an audiologist certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The notation would only appear in law enforcement systems during traffic stops to alert officers, and would apply to registrations issued or renewed 180 days after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and replaces its system with a new municipal framework for meeting affordable housing obligations. Municipalities must now determine their own "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing through binding resolutions, using state-published calculations, while allowing advocates to contest these determinations. The law appropriates $16 million for housing programs to support new construction and rehabilitation of substandard housing, particularly in urban areas. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and low-to-moderate-income residents seeking housing, ending regional contribution agreements and establishing clearer deadlines to prevent previous compliance gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional state school funding to New Jersey school districts experiencing enrollment increases when age-restricted housing developments (like senior communities) are converted to regular housing. The aid amount equals the increase in student enrollment from the last full school year before the housing conversion multiplied by the district's actual cost per pupil or its tuition rate, whichever is lower. The funding is limited to the actual number of students who reside in the converted development and enroll in public schools. This assistance helps districts cover costs associated with new students from housing conversions. The bill applies immediately to districts where such conversions occur.