Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to ensure juvenile defendants (14+ years old, or under 14 for murder charges) who voluntarily choose to be tried as adults fully understand the differences in sentencing and consequences before proceeding. It mandates a court hearing to confirm the election is made knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily, explaining how adult convictions differ from juvenile dispositions. If a juvenile elects adult trial, the law presumes they will serve custodial sentences in juvenile facilities until age 21, with limited options for transfer to adult facilities. The bill also allows courts to remand cases back to juvenile court later if it serves the juvenile's best interests or public safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to establish minimum cell size standards for state prison housing. It mandates at least 35 square feet of usable space per person in single-occupancy cells and 25 square feet per person in shared cells, with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet. These standards must meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. The law directly affects all state prison inmates by setting concrete habitability requirements for their living conditions. It was introduced to the Assembly Public Safety Committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow judges to admit evidence of a defendant's prior domestic violence, child abuse, or sexual assault offenses in related criminal cases. It directly affects prosecutors and victims in these specific cases by providing additional evidence to support prosecutions when victim testimony is unreliable or unavailable. Currently, New Jersey's evidence rules block such prior acts, making cases harder to prove despite statistics showing 63,058 annual domestic violence reports. The change aligns New Jersey with states like California that permit this evidence to strengthen prosecutions without requiring multiple trials.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1698) allows eligible voters to register to vote on election day or during early voting at their assigned polling place or early voting site, provided they meet specific requirements. It directly affects voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline before an election. Key provisions require voters to provide valid ID (like a utility bill or photo ID), complete a provisional ballot affirmation statement confirming they haven't voted already, and submit the registration in person. The bill updates existing law to make same-day registration at polling locations a standard option, ensuring provisional ballots from eligible voters are counted if all requirements are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain New Jersey school districts (specifically those in second-class cities ordered by the Supreme Court to address segregation) to provide transportation - such as bus services or equivalent assistance - to elementary students living more than 2 miles and secondary students living more than 2.5 miles from their chosen school. Sending districts (the districts students attend from) receive state transportation funding, which they must pay directly to the choice district. If the choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed this state funding, it can receive supplemental state aid after demonstrating cost-efficient routing (like centralized pick-ups). The choice district must annually report cost differences to the Department of Education for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax incentives for New Jersey residents with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses through ABLE accounts. It provides a one-time $750 dollar-for-dollar matching grant for initial deposits into a New Jersey ABLE account (for taxpayers earning $150,000 or less annually) and allows a state tax deduction for all contributions to these accounts. The matching funds are subject to annual state budget approval, with the Department of Human Services determining allocation if funding is insufficient. The program expands New Jersey’s existing ABLE program, which allows tax-advantaged savings for expenses like housing, education, and assistive technology, without affecting Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It formally expresses the New Jersey General Assembly's appreciation to all its staff members - including the Chief Clerk, committee staff, administrative personnel, and others - for their dedication and service during legislative sessions. The resolution commends their "outstanding dedication, cooperation, and excellent work" in supporting the Assembly's operations. It requires the Clerk to send copies of the resolution to every staff member. As a procedural measure, it has no legal effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault statute to elevate certain assaults against specific healthcare workers to aggravated assault. It directly affects direct care workers at State or county psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes who are clearly performing their duties. The key provision (added as subsection b(5)(k)) makes it aggravated assault to intentionally cause bodily injury to these workers while they're identifiable in their roles, increasing penalties. The law does not cover disabled individuals as victims but protects the workers who support them. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.