Asm. Katie Brennan

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-1728) prohibits public school districts from denying students admittance due to tardiness or violations of dress code or uniform policies. It specifically allows denial only for clothing indicating gang affiliation with criminal activity. Schools may still enforce other conduct policies not covered by this law. The bill directly affects all public school students and districts in New Jersey, ensuring students cannot be barred from school for these specific infractions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3318) prohibits third-party reservation services (like apps or websites) from advertising, listing, or selling reservations for restaurants without a written agreement with the restaurant. It directly affects restaurants (food service establishments) and third-party reservation platforms, requiring explicit permission before they can list a restaurant’s reservations. Violations carry daily civil penalties up to $500 per restaurant per day, and restaurants can sue for damages, attorney fees, or injunctions against unauthorized services. The law aims to prevent third parties from charging customers for reservations they cannot legally offer.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Family Development to maintain a waiting list for income-eligible applicants whose child care assistance applications cannot be processed immediately due to limited funding. It mandates the division to create procedures for adding applicants to the list, notify them when funding becomes available (including via website), and publish an annual report tracking key metrics like applications received, approvals, and those placed on the waiting list. The law directly affects low-income families seeking state child care assistance who face funding delays. The report must be published online and submitted to the Governor and Legislature annually.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a legal pathway for individuals to sue when immigration enforcement actions violate the U.S. Constitution. It permits civil lawsuits against law enforcement officers or agencies conducting immigration enforcement who knowingly breach constitutional rights, allowing successful plaintiffs to recover monetary damages (including punitive damages), attorney fees, and other relief. Key provisions require courts to consider factors like whether officers failed to identify themselves, wore facial coverings, bypassed body cameras, used crowd control equipment, or violated court orders when determining punitive damages. The bill explicitly states that qualified immunity remains a valid defense against such lawsuits. It directly affects individuals subjected to immigration enforcement and law enforcement officers or agencies involved in those actions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires food service businesses to clearly inform customers about major food allergens present in each menu item. Covered establishments, such as restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores, must display this information directly on menus, via digital codes linking to websites, or through separate written materials like charts and booklets. The law mandates that allergen notices use common names or approved standardized symbols and applies to both permanent and temporary menu items, while exempting prepackaged foods already regulated by federal labeling rules. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Health or local health boards, which can issue written notices and order corrective action if violations occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies, municipalities hosting World Cup venues, and the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee to submit reports on implementing human rights commitments made in the 2021 NY/NJ Human Rights Report. State agencies must submit an initial report within 30 days of the bill's enactment and a final report by July 19, 2026, detailing actions taken to protect workers' rights, prevent discrimination, ensure safety, and uphold anti-trafficking measures. Municipalities must create and submit local human rights plans by the same initial deadline, guided by FIFA's 2024 Human Rights Framework, and provide a final implementation evaluation by the 2026 World Cup's conclusion. The bill focuses on documenting progress on existing commitments - rather than creating new policies - to safeguard residents, workers, and visitors during the event.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act permits sheriffs and other officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property online instead of in person. It requires counties to contract with vendors for these sales under specific terms, including a $1,000 fee cap per auction, mandatory public bid visibility during the sale, and identity verification for bidders. The bill mandates that vendors must maximize recovery for debtors and lenders, collect detailed information from successful bidders (including sanctions list checks), and handle funds securely. This change directly affects sheriffs, county vendors, and bidders by establishing a standardized online process for foreclosure sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear standards for courts to determine if a rent increase is "unconscionable" (extremely unfair), directly affecting landlords and tenants in New Jersey. Courts must consider factors like the rent amount, landlord expenses, comparable local rents (including HUD data), tenant bargaining power, and property condition, with landlords bearing the burden of proof. It also excludes certain eviction court records from public access - specifically dismissed cases and cases where possession was granted over seven years ago - while exempting rent-controlled properties or regulated housing programs. The law codifies existing court practices to provide consistent, objective criteria for rent disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2762) expands New Jersey's Jersey Fresh Program to officially include marketing and promotion of locally produced liquor, beer, and wine. It directs the Department of Agriculture to develop a quality grading system for these products - similar to its existing system for fruits and vegetables - and appropriates $100,000 annually from the General Fund to fund this promotion. The program will specifically target alcoholic products made from agricultural commodities grown in New Jersey, such as grapes for wine or grains for beer. This change formally adds alcohol products to the Jersey Fresh branding and marketing efforts, which previously focused on non-alcoholic agricultural goods.