Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A4668 would strengthen the state's assault weapons ban by revising the definition of "assault firearm" to include more weapons. The bill would classify rifles, shotguns, and pistols as assault weapons if they have just one military-style feature (like a folding stock, pistol grip, thumbhole stock, or additional handgrip), rather than requiring two features as currently required. This change would expand the number of firearms covered under the ban by adding specific features to the definition. The bill affects gun owners, manufacturers, and dealers in New Jersey who possess or sell firearms meeting the new definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific work hour rules for minors (ages 14-15) employed as professional athletes by sports leagues or teams. It allows these young athletes to work after 11 p.m. on nights continuing a workday that started before 11 p.m., but only with a written parental/guardian permit specifying allowed hours. The bill prohibits work before 6 a.m. or after 3 a.m. on days preceding a school day, and requires the permit to detail permitted work times. It amends New Jersey's existing minor labor laws to create this exception for professional sports employment.

Maddy summaryACR 140 proposes amending the New Jersey Constitution to permit sports wagering on all college athletic events through casinos and current or former horse racetracks. This would remove the current prohibition on betting for events held in New Jersey or involving New Jersey college teams. If approved by voters, the amendment would allow the Legislature to pass laws enabling such wagering, including on events featuring New Jersey teams or held within the state. The bill itself does not authorize wagering but changes the constitutional framework to permit future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to appropriate $1 million annually to educational services commissions that primarily serve students from School Development Authority (SDA) districts. Currently, these commissions do not receive direct state funding for school facility projects (like building renovations or construction) or security improvements (such as security cameras, emergency notification systems, or access control systems). The funds would be sourced from the General Fund and allocated to the Department of Education to support these specific needs. The legislation aims to address an existing funding gap, ensuring these commissions have equitable resources comparable to SDA districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4705) increases the annual assessment rate on health maintenance organizations' (HMOs) net written premiums in New Jersey from 5% to 6%. It directly affects all HMOs operating in New Jersey that hold a certificate of authority to operate in the state. The additional 1% assessment, effective for fiscal year 2025 and beyond, will generate approximately $83 million annually for the Health Care Subsidy Fund. This fund uses the revenue to provide charity care payments to hospitals, following the existing distribution formula established under prior law. The bill requires HMOs to pay the assessment quarterly but prohibits them from passing these costs to enrollees through higher premiums or fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. It creates a new crime for interfering with these services (including physical obstruction, intimidation, or damaging property), with penalties ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. The bill also prevents New Jersey from extraditing people for legally protected health care activities, prohibits licensing boards from penalizing providers for services that are legal in New Jersey but illegal in other states, and protects patient privacy related to these services. It specifically ensures that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no independent legal rights under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to receive a 75% credit against their state income tax for donations to approved scholarship organizations. It directly affects nonpublic school students who meet income criteria (household income ≤2.6x the federal reduced-price lunch threshold) attending schools complying with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying laws. The key mechanism requires scholarship organizations to spend 95% of donations on student aid, limit administrative costs to 5%, and adhere to strict eligibility rules. The program would have been capped at $37.5 million annually (adjusted for inflation), but the bill was withdrawn from consideration on June 13, 2024, and never became law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey employers (including public employers and part-time workers) to provide employees with 20 hours of paid leave annually for pregnancy-related health appointments, such as check-ups, tests, or doctor consultations. Employees may take the leave in one-hour increments and will receive their regular pay for time taken. Employers cannot retaliate against or discriminate against employees who use this leave, and unused leave does not need to be paid out upon separation. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients from paying municipal parking meter fees when their vehicle displays a special license plate or placard issued by New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It applies directly to these veterans and recipients when they are driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle displaying the MVC-issued plate or placard. The exemption covers standard parking meter fees but does not apply if a vehicle is parked for more than 24 hours at one location. The bill amends existing law to clarify this exemption and requires the MVC to issue the necessary placards.