Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill caps residential rental application fees at $50 for most properties, prohibiting landlords or agents from charging more. Landlords violating this limit face a $1,500 penalty per offense, with $250 of each penalty returned to the tenant. The $50 cap automatically adjusts annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the New York-Northern New Jersey area if inflation exceeds zero, and the fee limit does not apply to single-family or two-family homes. The bill also requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to create an online system for tenants to report violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes fire safety standards for short-term farm labor housing in New Jersey. It requires such housing (defined as accommodations for seasonal farm workers for up to three months) to include fire extinguishers, smoke/CO detectors, and proper exit routes to automatically comply with the state's construction code. The law directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt implementing rules within six months of enactment. It directly affects farm labor camps that house seasonal workers, ensuring their temporary housing meets baseline fire safety requirements without additional permitting. The bill focuses on concrete safety measures, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey voters to apply for mail-in ballots electronically through the Secretary of State's website up to seven days before an election, using an electronic signature in the Statewide Voter Registration System. The electronic application requires the same information as a paper form, including voter address and contact details (which will not be publicly disclosed or considered government records). Voters must still apply at least seven days before an election, and the bill maintains existing in-person application options until 3 p.m. the day before the election. This change provides a new, accessible method for requesting mail-in ballots without altering current deadlines or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $5 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities improve disaster relief services for residents. Municipalities can apply for grants of up to $30,000 to fund staff training, stockpiles of supplies, and technology for processing disaster relief applications and related paperwork. The Office of Emergency Management will prioritize funding based on each municipality's risk assessment, and grantees must report after one year on how funds improved emergency preparedness. The program is funded through a state appropriation and administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology to create and maintain a single, centralized website to help people navigate mental health and substance use disorder services. The website must provide easily searchable information on treatment options, hotlines, housing resources, state procedures (like involuntary commitment), and agency oversight, all organized by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other relevant departments. It directly assists individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, their families, and concerned third parties seeking support. The site must include hyperlinks to providers, educational materials, recovery housing, and state reports, with prominent links on state agency websites. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" in New Jersey's General Fund to support abortion providers and clinics. The fund would provide funding for three specific programs: clinical training to increase the number of providers (especially in underserved areas like southern counties), security grants for clinics facing threats like violence or cyberattacks, and loans to help facilities operate. It directly affects reproductive health care facilities, clinics, and health care professionals providing abortion services statewide. The bill requires the State Treasurer to allocate these funds to the designated programs, aiming to strengthen access to abortion care through direct financial support.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1366) prohibits life insurance companies in New Jersey from discriminating against individuals based on transgender status or gender identity. Specifically, it amends state law to ban insurers from denying coverage, charging higher rates, or refusing to renew policies due to: (1) transgender status or diagnosis of gender dysphoria, or (2) any mismatch between a person's gender identity and their sex assigned at birth or gender listed in their records. The bill directly affects transgender individuals seeking life insurance by requiring insurers to evaluate applicants solely on actuarial risk, not gender identity. It adds these protections to existing anti-discrimination law, making such discrimination illegal under New Jersey statute. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Assembly Resolution (AR 25) formally recognizes Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey - as one of the nation’s two surviving Negro League stadiums - and the annual football rivalry game between Montclair State University and William Paterson University held there. It does not create new laws or funding but publicly affirms the stadium’s historical significance and the cultural value of the university game. The resolution directs copies to university leaders, the Governor, relevant legislators, and the New Jersey Historical Society to support ongoing preservation and community engagement efforts. It specifically aims to honor the stadium’s legacy in African American sports history and promote its educational role.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2334) exempts veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying annual motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans with this specific disability rating who own a vehicle in New Jersey. The bill requires the Adjutant General (in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission) to notify eligible veterans about this fee exemption. The exemption applies to one vehicle owned by the veteran and does not cover commercial vehicles or additional vehicles. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes while being trafficked. It allows individuals to avoid prosecution for offenses (like theft or assault) committed as a direct result of their trafficking situation, provided they were trafficking victims at the time of the offense. The defense applies even if the trafficking case against them didn't result in a conviction. It directly affects people exploited through human trafficking who may have broken laws while trying to survive or escape. The law amends New Jersey's criminal code to explicitly recognize this defense, shifting focus from punishing victims to addressing their exploitation.