Asm. Katie Brennan

Maddy summaryThis bill designates and permanently preserves the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park (Jersey City, Hudson County) as natural habitat. It specifically protects the area's estuarine ecosystem, critical bird breeding habitat, and urban environmental education resource, overriding prior laws that might conflict with this designation. The bill applies directly to the land parcel identified on Jersey City tax maps (Block 27601/27701 Lots 1, Block 24307/24306 Lot 10/7). It takes effect immediately upon enactment, ensuring the peninsula's ecological features are maintained without future development or alteration.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the FY2026 annual funding for New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations (CMOs). Specifically, it raises the NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rate for CMO services from $1,032 to $1,200 per client starting in FY2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs - county-based agencies providing coordinated care for youth with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities - are directly affected by this rate change. The funding adjustment ensures CMOs receive higher payments for services delivered under the NJ FamilyCare program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 24-month pilot program providing monthly cash assistance to 300 low-income renters in New Jersey at risk of eviction. It targets households where rent consumes a high percentage of income ("rent burdened"), with eligibility based on income, rent burden, and eviction risk. Selected households receive direct monthly cash payments (no spending restrictions) calculated using a department formula, funded by a $6.55 million appropriation. The program includes random county-based lottery selection, public outreach, and post-program surveys to evaluate impact.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A-3322, the "Homeless Bill of Rights," prohibits discrimination against homeless residents in public spaces, services, employment, healthcare, voting, and privacy. It guarantees homeless individuals the same rights as other residents, including free movement in public areas, equal treatment by government agencies, protection from employment discrimination due to lack of permanent address, access to emergency medical care, and confidentiality of shelter records. The bill allows individuals to sue for violations and seek court-ordered remedies, damages, and attorney fees. It directly affects all homeless residents in New Jersey by legally protecting their access to public life and services without housing status discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead companion animals. It mandates that veterinarians give owners a standard notification form detailing testing reasons, body handling protocols, and disposal rules (including that heads may not be returned after testing), along with a pamphlet explaining rabies vaccines and testing procedures. The pamphlet must be provided to owners when a rabies vaccine is administered, and veterinarians must display a related poster in their offices. The law applies to pet owners and veterinarians, with penalties for non-compliance, while also establishing optional mental health training for veterinary staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed the average per-pupil cost in their school district. It directly affects two groups: (1) homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their district of residence while attending school there, and (2) students displaced by terrorism or natural disasters (with state emergency declarations) who remain in their original district for up to two years. Under the bill, the state pays for transportation costs above the district’s average per-pupil transportation expense in both scenarios. The policy change modifies existing laws to shift this specific cost burden from local districts to the state.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2317) prohibits force-feeding geese, ducks, or other poultry via tube insertion to produce foie gras, except when done for the bird's health. It also bans selling or distributing foie gras unless the product comes from a state or jurisdiction that similarly bans force-feeding. Violations carry a written warning for first offenses and $100 civil penalties for repeat or ongoing violations, with each day of violation treated as a separate offense. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment and applies to producers, sellers, and importers of foie gras within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-3995) establishes standards to determine if rent increases for residential properties are "unconscionable" (extremely unfair). It directly affects landlords and tenants by requiring courts to consider factors like landlord expenses, comparable rents in the area, tenant bargaining power, and property condition when reviewing hikes. Key provisions include shifting the burden of proof to landlords to justify increases, mandating transparency (e.g., proper registration), and giving tenants 10 days to request written justification for proposed increases. If a court finds an increase unconscionable, tenants can recover treble damages, a $2,000 penalty, and attorney fees. The bill excludes rent-controlled properties and those under affordable housing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes licensed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (serving adults with developmental disabilities receiving Tier C+ services) to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives unanimously consent in writing. It mandates that group homes must actively seek this consent, provide annual notices about the option, and allow residents to withdraw consent anytime without affecting housing placement. Devices must record continuously, retain footage for 90 days, undergo weekly inspections, and permit residents to review recordings upon request. The bill explicitly prohibits using refusal to consent as a barrier to housing and requires visitor notices at entrances.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 1745 bill permits municipalities and school boards to adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections, including mayoral, council, and school board races. It allows communities to choose this voting method through local ordinances, resolutions, or voter referendums requiring at least 10% of eligible voters' signatures. For single-winner races (like mayor), it uses an "instant runoff" system where votes transfer if no candidate reaches 50%, while multi-winner races (like council seats) use a "single transferable vote" method to allocate seats proportionally. The bill does not require adoption but provides clear rules for implementation, currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.