Asm. Katie Brennan

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3567 requires municipalities to adopt state-approved land use regulations that allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary homes on the same lot as a primary residence - within single-family and two-family zones. The bill mandates that local zoning rules must align with state model ordinances, ensuring property owners can develop ADUs without restrictive barriers. It directly affects homeowners seeking to add ADUs for rental income or family housing, as well as municipalities responsible for updating zoning codes. The bill, pending before the legislature, aims to expand housing supply by streamlining ADU development while maintaining neighborhood character.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all police basic training programs in New Jersey to include cultural diversity and implicit bias training. It directly affects police training schools, instructors, and new officers entering law enforcement. The key mechanism mandates that the Police Training Commission add specific curriculum materials developed under prior law, and requires instructors to have specialized training in this area. The bill defines "implicit bias" as unconscious attitudes or stereotypes about people. This is a concrete policy change to standardize training content, not a prediction about outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to permit a single exit stairwell in new multi-unit residential buildings (Group R-2, defined as structures with more than two dwelling units) up to six stories tall, overriding standard construction code requirements. It directly affects local governments, developers, and building owners by providing flexibility for new residential construction. The bill specifies that the first floor may include non-residential, nonhazardous uses (like retail) with separate entrances, and requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create a model ordinance for municipalities to adopt. These changes apply only to new development applications submitted after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides temporary mortgage relief to homeowners directly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 flooding. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a one-year payment pause (forbearance) to eligible homeowners who received federal disaster aid for storm-damaged primary residences, meet income limits (under 150% of median income), and have limited savings. During this period, servicers cannot charge fees, penalties, or report negative credit information, and must halt foreclosure actions. The relief applies only to those who obtained FEMA or similar federal assistance for damage sustained to their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing 1,4-dioxane above specific trace levels. It sets a maximum limit of 10 parts per million (ppm) for cosmetics and 2 ppm for personal care products (reducing to 1 ppm after two years), with the Department of Environmental Protection establishing these standards. Manufacturers may apply for a one-year waiver if they've reduced 1,4-dioxane levels but cannot comply, with a possible second waiver. The law takes effect one year after enactment, directly affecting product sellers and manufacturers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million annual "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" within New Jersey's Department of State, funded by the State General Fund. The fund will be invested, with all interest earnings added back to support efforts to ensure every resident is counted during each federal decennial census. It directly affects New Jersey's population counting process, which determines federal funding for schools, infrastructure, and services. The Department of State will use these funds to support state, local, and community organizations working to achieve a full census count.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a single online application portal for New Jersey residents to pre-apply for multiple affordable housing options (rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing) across the state. It consolidates 10 separate housing subsidy programs - including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and homeless prevention programs - into one application that can determine final eligibility. The portal will let applicants select specific municipalities or regions and replace the current system where residents must submit duplicate applications for each program. This change aims to simplify the process for low-income residents seeking housing assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $400 million in state bonds to fund the replacement of lead plumbing and service lines in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners, schools, and businesses - particularly in older homes built before 1986 - which may contain lead pipes linked to health risks. The funding includes $200 million in grants for homeowners and schools, plus $200 million in loans for water systems and businesses through a revolving fund. The bill addresses documented lead exposure risks, citing that 3,226 children in New Jersey had elevated blood lead levels in 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Transit Villages Act," which encourages municipalities to create designated "transit villages" centered around mass transit hubs. It requires local governments to amend their master plans to include specific provisions for compact, mixed-use development within half-mile zones of transit stops, featuring higher density housing, reduced parking for cars, improved bike/pedestrian access, and shared parking. The policy directly affects New Jersey municipalities by changing land-use planning requirements to prioritize transit-oriented development. Key mechanisms include mandating transit village plan elements as supplements to master plans and requiring updated official maps to reflect these zones. The goal is to increase transit ridership, reduce traffic congestion, and support smart growth principles outlined in state planning guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3705) modifies New Jersey's medical aid in dying law by waiving the standard 15-day waiting period between the patient's initial and second oral requests when a physician determines, with reasonable medical certainty, that the patient is not expected to survive 15 days. It directly affects qualified terminally ill patients with rapidly declining health who meet this medical criterion. The bill retains a 48-hour waiting period between the written request and prescription issuance, while requiring physicians to document the medical basis for waiving the 15-day period. All other requirements for medical aid in dying - such as written requests, physician consultations, and patient rights to rescind - remain unchanged.