Asm. Katie Brennan

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1684) amends New Jersey's brewery licensing laws but does not actually address wine shipping as its title suggests. The provided text only describes changes to *brewery* license classifications (for malt alcoholic beverages), including new tiers for breweries producing up to 300,000 barrels annually. It adds no provisions for wineries or direct wine shipping to consumers, contradicting the bill's title. The bill appears to be mislabeled or incomplete based on the text provided, as the amendments focus solely on brewery operations, not wine. No concrete policy changes for wineries or direct wine shipping are described in the text.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3287) clarifies that Medicaid in New Jersey will cover hearing aids and other assistive devices for hearing impairment as part of existing prosthetic device coverage. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries with hearing impairments who require these devices. The key mechanism is amending the state's Medicaid statute to explicitly include hearing aids under the "prosthetic devices" category listed in coverage provisions, aligning with federal Medicaid requirements. This change ensures that such devices are covered without requiring separate approval, streamlining access for eligible individuals. The bill is pending review by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans landlords from using credit scores or credit reports to screen applicants for affordable housing programs. It directly affects low- and moderate-income renters applying for subsidized housing or units restricted to income-eligible households. The law requires landlords to conduct individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent, rather than relying on credit scores, which often unfairly reject tenants facing financial hardship. It also defines key terms like "affordable housing applicant" and specifies income thresholds based on rent share, not total rent.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as second homes attached or detached from a main single-family dwelling, requiring them to be at least 30% of the main unit’s size or 1,000 square feet. It prohibits municipalities from banning ADUs on single-family lots or imposing restrictions like passageways between units, separate utility billing, minimum age requirements, or limits on occupants’ relationships. Homeowners and local governments are directly affected, as the bill standardizes ADU rules statewide while allowing municipalities to limit short-term rentals. The bill does not override building codes or require sprinklers in ADUs if the main house is exempt. (Bill A 3710, introduced 2026-01-13)

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mobile service providers and app developers from sharing customers' GPS location data with third parties without explicit consent. To obtain consent, app developers must provide a clear, bold notice requiring users to actively agree ("I agree to allow my location data to be disclosed"). Exceptions apply for legal requirements like law enforcement requests, and third parties accessing the data cannot sell it or share it beyond the purpose of the consent. Violations would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill is pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 1078 requires landlords to distribute annual eviction prevention information to tenants, including a statement of legal rights and a separate resource guide in English and Spanish. Landlords must provide this information within 30 days of its release by the Department of Community Affairs, at lease signing or renewal, and post it prominently in rental properties. The materials list specific resources like the New Jersey Eviction Guide, contact details for the Office of Eviction Prevention, and local court programs. Landlords who fail to comply face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, with tenants able to recover the penalty and related costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law allowing New Jersey municipalities to charge up to $200 for applying to a public defender. It would eliminate the fee entirely, directly affecting individuals seeking public defense services who might otherwise face this financial barrier. Currently, courts could waive such fees, but this bill removes that authority by deleting the fee provision. The legislation aims to remove financial obstacles to accessing public defenders, aligning with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the composition of New Jersey's Fish and Game Council by replacing three of the six sportsmen representatives with three animal welfare representatives. The council will now include three farmer representatives (recommended by the agricultural convention), three sportsmen representatives, three animal welfare representatives (recommended by approved animal welfare organizations), one member from the Endangered Species Advisory Committee, and one land-use expert. The total number of council members remains at 11, with no change to the council's responsibilities. The bill ensures animal welfare organizations gain direct representation on the council alongside other conservation stakeholders.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.