Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryBill A-1075 would change where fees for certain firearm permits are deposited. Currently, fees paid by applicants for handgun purchase permits and firearms purchaser identification cards go into the Violent Crime Control and Enforcement (VCCO) account. This bill redirects those fees into the state’s General Fund instead. It directly affects individuals applying for these firearm permits who pay the associated fees. The change applies to the specific permit types covered under New Jersey Statutes 2C:58-3 and 2C:58-4.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities (including proprietary institutions) to notify the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority when the federal government approves a student loan discharge under "borrower defense" rules. Specifically, institutions must inform the Authority within a reasonable timeframe if a student - especially a New Jersey resident during enrollment - is approved for federal student loan forgiveness due to institutional misconduct. The law does not change federal loan rules but adds a state reporting requirement to help track discharges affecting residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides workers' compensation benefits for New Jersey public safety workers (like firefighters, police, and emergency responders) who developed illnesses or injuries from exposure during the September 11, 2001 attacks, if they are enrolled in the federal World Trade Center Health Program. It creates a legal presumption that such conditions are compensable under state law, removing standard time limits for filing claims - requiring claims to be filed within two years of the bill's effective date or when the disability was known, whichever is later. If workers previously received federal or state benefits for 9/11-related conditions, those payments are credited against future state compensation to avoid duplicate payments. The bill also requires state agencies and employers to notify affected workers about these benefits through official channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission to monitor medical cannabis prices and establish a price cap when prices become excessive. It directly affects medical cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, and clinical registrants by imposing this pricing oversight. The key mechanism is the Commission's authority to set and enforce price caps under specific conditions to prevent unreasonable pricing. The bill focuses on concrete regulatory action, not speculative outcomes or political commentary. (Note: This summary focuses on the price cap provision described in the bill title and context, as the provided text primarily details permit rules rather than the price cap implementation details.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all subscription service providers in New Jersey (like streaming services, gym memberships, or software subscriptions) to give consumers a clear, easy way to cancel their subscriptions using the same method they signed up with - such as online, by phone, or in person. It specifically bans "negative option features" where silence or inaction is treated as agreement, mandating providers to get explicit consent before charging and to clearly disclose terms upfront. Providers must also place a prominent cancellation link on websites or in emails, making it simple for consumers to stop automatic renewals. The law expands existing rules (previously limited to health clubs) to cover all subscription services and prohibits misleading marketing or hidden cancellation processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's child custody procedures by requiring courts to prioritize a child's expressed preferences (when age-appropriate) and consider recommendations from the child's licensed mental health professional when making custody decisions. It also imposes strict conditions before courts can order "reunification therapy" (family therapy to reconnect estranged parents and children), requiring scientific evidence of its safety and effectiveness, plus the child's willingness to participate. The bill affects courts, parents, and children in contested custody cases by mandating specific record-keeping for custody arrangements not agreed upon by parents and adding weight to the child's voice. It does not change existing custody factors but refines how courts must weigh certain considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2397) requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create campus food waste reduction programs. It mandates redirecting unused food from dining halls, events, and facilities to local food security programs (like pantries and shelters) while meeting food safety standards. Institutions must annually report their contributions to food security programs to the Governor and Legislature, with reports posted online. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.309, meaning it is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to keep nasal rescue medications (like diazepam or midazolam sprays) and portable oxygen devices in secure, accessible locations throughout all school buildings and during school events. School nurses must designate trained staff to administer these during seizures if the nurse isn't present, after obtaining parental written consent and confirming staff training through state-established protocols. Parents must sign agreements acknowledging the school has no liability for injuries from administration and agree to cover potential costs. The state will reimburse districts for these costs, with training protocols developed by the Department of Education and Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use-of-force policy every even-numbered year, ensuring it prioritizes de-escalation, limits force to necessary and proportional measures (with deadly force as a last resort), and includes officer duties like intervention and reporting. It mandates three public hearings across the state to gather community input and requires all law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the State Police to receive the revised policy. The bill also establishes a public online reporting system for use-of-force incidents, compiling data under open records laws for public access. Additionally, it sets detailed guidelines for handling barricaded individuals - emphasizing mental health crisis protocols and de-escalation - and mandates training for law enforcement on these procedures.

Maddy summaryBill A 451 establishes a three-year pilot program to strengthen collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational schools in New Jersey. The pilot, implemented in three areas, requires joint development of workforce training programs with industry credentials, coordinated marketing, and integrated funding planning to better serve job seekers. Community colleges and vocational schools are designated as the primary providers for workforce training and adult literacy programs under this initiative. The State Employment and Training Commission must annually report on outcomes like employment rates and credential attainment, and develop a plan for statewide expansion. The program is funded through state and federal resources and expires after three years.