Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of motorized skateboards, including hoverboards, by prohibiting anyone under 16 from operating them. It requires all operators to wear a properly fitted helmet meeting safety standards and limits operation to speeds of 10 miles per hour or less. Businesses selling or renting motorized skateboards must post warning signs about the age restriction and helmet requirement. Parents or guardians of minors violating these rules may be fined up to $100 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects young skateboard users, retailers, and operators throughout New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to cover transportation costs for eligible individuals attending support group meetings. It directly affects New Jersey residents with traumatic brain injuries who rely on the fund for post-acute care when other resources are unavailable. The key change adds "transportation services to access support group meetings" to the fund's eligible uses, defining such meetings as gatherings for information, perspective, and well-being related to their injuries. The fund continues to cover medical appointments, treatment, and vocational services under existing rules, with the same $100,000 lifetime limit per person. This is a targeted expansion of existing transportation coverage, not a new program.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the limit on annual property tax increases for New Jersey counties by revising how the maximum allowable tax levy is calculated. Currently, counties must ensure their tax levy does not exceed the lower of two calculations; the bill updates this to require counties to not exceed the greater of the two calculations. This directly affects all New Jersey counties in their annual budgeting process for property taxes. The change does not alter the underlying formulas but shifts the ceiling from the lower to the higher of the two amounts. The bill takes effect immediately and is retroactive to January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3682) requires utility companies providing electricity, gas, water, or sewer services to electronically notify New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at least five business days before scheduled work in public rights-of-way. The BPU must create and maintain a real-time online database of this information, accessible to all government agencies and utility providers to coordinate work and avoid conflicts. Exceptions apply for emergency repairs, where providers must notify the BPU "as soon as possible" after work begins. The law aims to improve communication and planning for infrastructure projects without altering utility service standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric facilities in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios (such as 1 nurse for every 4 medical/surgical patients, 1 nurse for every 2 critical care patients, and 1 unlicensed personnel for every 7 daytime patients) while mandating hospitals to implement an acuity-based staffing system to ensure adequate staffing levels. Hospitals found in violation may face civil penalties that increase with repeat offenses, with penalty revenue funding a dedicated "Patient Protection and Staffing Fund" to support nursing recruitment, retention, education, and inspector staffing. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Human Services to review staffing standards in developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals to align with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $70 million in federal pandemic recovery funds to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDA, in consultation with the State Council on the Arts, will distribute $50 million in grants for financial recovery (including $10 million specifically for arts education programs in schools and after-school settings) and $20 million for placemaking projects like public art installations, park beautification, and educational signage. Qualifying organizations - covering both non-profits and for-profit businesses - can use funds to offset pandemic-related revenue losses or build cash reserves for future disruptions. The funding comes directly from New Jersey's allocation of the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to allow individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to work as law enforcement and corrections officers. It amends statutes requiring officers to be U.S. citizens by adding "or has been granted relief under DACA" as an eligibility requirement for state correctional officers, county corrections officers, municipal police officers, and juvenile corrections officers. The bill also specifies that DACA-eligible officers appointed under these changes may carry firearms while on duty. It directly affects DACA recipients seeking these public safety roles, removing a prior citizenship barrier. The change aligns New Jersey's hiring standards with federal DACA protections for qualifying individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require all passenger vehicles and noncommercial trucks registered in New Jersey to undergo a safety inspection that checks both equipment and credentials affecting safe operation. The safety inspection would verify the presence and function of key safety equipment like horns, headlamps, tail lamps, turn signals, windshield wipers, tires, and seatbelts, as well as confirm a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and active insurance policy. Currently, these vehicles are only required to undergo emissions inspections, but this bill would add these safety equipment and credential checks to the inspection process. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would have the authority to add additional safety requirements to the inspection as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "restricted convenience store license" allowing convenience stores to sell beer and wine (not hard liquor) for off-premises consumption. It requires that at least 20% of alcoholic beverages displayed must be made by New Jersey breweries, wineries, or cideries, and defines convenience stores as those between 800-5,000 square feet primarily selling groceries. Stores must pay a $5,000 initial fee (75% to the municipality) and $1,000 annual renewal fee. Municipalities can opt out of issuing these licenses, but the bill removes existing limits on how many such licenses can be granted in a community.

Maddy summaryBill A3450 establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and certain state facilities (like psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers) in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios based on unit type, such as one nurse for every five patients in medical/surgical units or one nurse for every patient under anesthesia. Facilities must implement an acuity-based staffing system (approved by nursing staff or their union) to adjust staffing based on patient needs, and maintain float pools of nurses. The Department of Health will enforce these standards through inspections and investigations of complaints filed by staff or the public.