Asm. Gary Schaer

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Economic Emergency Investment Stabilization Program," allowing New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to make equity investments in businesses significantly impacted by major economic emergencies. It directly affects New Jersey-based businesses that meet strict criteria, including physical presence in the state, majority NJ-based employees, and pre-emergency financial stability. The EDA will match private investments dollar-for-dollar (up to a set limit), using funds from the existing Economic Recovery Fund, with the goal of exiting investments within 1-10 years after the emergency ends. The program requires businesses to demonstrate recovery potential to avoid losses when the EDA sells its stake.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific requirements for New Jersey hospitals that advertise level-one or level-two pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Hospitals must maintain dedicated PED spaces with board-certified pediatric emergency physicians as directors, certified pediatric emergency nurses as managers, 24-hour staffing by qualified providers, and access to pediatric subspecialists (e.g., cardiology, neurology) within one hour. Level-one PEDs also require separate pediatric inpatient/intensive care units, while level-two PEDs may use transfer agreements with level-one facilities. The Department of Health must include hospital-specific PED performance data in its annual hospital report. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to advertise PED services and aims to standardize pediatric emergency care quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2948) allows New Jersey municipalities to impose curfews during disorderly conduct or riotous behavior. It authorizes mayors to declare a local emergency and enforce a curfew (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for up to seven days if five or more people engage in conduct likely to cause harm and refuse to disperse after a peace officer’s order. The curfew applies to all people in the affected area and requires notification to the mayor and police chief before implementation. It directly affects residents in neighborhoods where such incidents occur, aiming to enhance local law enforcement’s ability to restore order during civil disturbances.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 587) proposes the "Succeed in New Jersey" program, which would provide student loan reimbursement to eligible New Jersey residents working in designated fields. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 3 months, hold a U.S. undergraduate degree from 2014 onward, have an income under 500% of federal poverty guidelines, and work full-time in one of five fields identified by the Department of Labor as having workforce needs or providing public benefit. Reimbursement would cover up to $6,000 annually (based on income tier) for a maximum of three years, with total state spending capped at $10 million yearly. The program requires participants to maintain NJ residency, stay current on loans, and verify employment annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public exposure to lead in soil and drinking water. The plan must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing, and private well results to identify high-risk geographic areas and prioritize public funds for remediation. It also mandates the DEP to develop a public education program about lead health risks and prevention measures. The plan must be posted online, submitted to the legislature, and updated every five years.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 84) expressing New Jersey's support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks. It condemns Hamas as a terrorist organization, details the attacks' casualties (including 1,400 Israelis killed and 30 Americans), and states the resolution "stands with Israel as it defends itself." The resolution has no legal effect; it will be formally transmitted to Israel's leadership, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. It directly affects no individuals or policies, serving only as a symbolic statement of support.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which provides health coverage to state employees. It creates a new 11-member State Health Benefits Commission (replacing the previous structure) and a separate 12-member Plan Design Committee. The Commission includes the Treasurer, agency heads, and members appointed by labor unions representing state employees, while the Plan Design Committee focuses specifically on designing health plan benefits like medical, dental, and prescription coverage. These changes affect all state employees enrolled in the SHBP by altering who oversees their health plan offerings and administration. The bill does not change the actual benefits provided, only the decision-making bodies managing the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "Sikhism" to New Jersey's list of protected classes under the state's bias intimidation law (N.J.S.2C:16-1), explicitly including Sikhs in legal protections against hate crimes motivated by religious bias. It directly affects Sikh residents and community members who face discrimination or violence due to their religious identity, such as attacks targeting turbans, beards, or gurdwaras. The key mechanism amends the statute to cover offenses committed "because of their membership within a protected class," including Sikhism, and creates a legal presumption that bias was a motivating factor in such crimes. The bill also appropriates $100,000, likely for educational or support programs related to Sikh community awareness, though specific funding details aren't outlined in the text.