Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill creates group disability insurance for disabled members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It provides monthly income benefits equal to 60% of a member's base salary (minimum $50) while they are totally disabled, payable until age 70 if disability began before age 60. Members must have completed one year of continuous service to qualify, and coverage excludes pregnancy, war injuries, self-harm, imprisonment, or time outside the U.S. Canada. The State Treasurer purchases the insurance through a special fund, with premiums paid from employer contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey courts to extend the standard 48-hour timeline for pretrial release decisions when a defendant is charged with a firearm offense, allowing additional time for a firearms analysis. The extra time is limited to what is reasonably necessary for completing the analysis and providing results to the court. It applies only to cases involving the use or possession of a firearm and does not change existing release criteria or standards. This adjustment ensures courts have sufficient time to review firearm-related evidence before making release decisions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4976 creates two new firearm offenses: a third-degree crime for accidentally firing a gun within 100 yards of occupied buildings or schools/child care facilities (even if unoccupied), and a fourth-degree crime for other reckless discharges. This directly affects anyone who unintentionally discharges a firearm near schools, homes, or businesses. The bill specifies that convictions for these offenses won’t merge with other charges, requiring separate sentences, and mandates consecutive prison terms if multiple offenses occur. Third-degree violations carry up to 5 years in prison or $15,000 fines, while fourth-degree violations carry up to 18 months or $10,000 fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts minors under 16 who are featured in family-run vlogs (not creating their own content) from standard child labor restrictions. It defines a "vlogger" as a caregiver or family member creating compensated video content featuring a minor, excluding minors under 16 who produce their own vlogs. The exemption applies when a minor meets specific criteria over a 12-month period, allowing them to work as a vlog subject without needing a theatrical permit. This directly affects minors working in family vlog content creation and their caregivers. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Budget Committee after passing the Assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5195) requires manufacturers to provide written notice to purchasers when selling firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, or gloves) containing chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's used, and list the specific chemicals. Beginning six months after the bill takes effect, manufacturers must provide this notice at sale, and both parties must keep copies for three years. Two years later, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing firefighting gear that intentionally contains PFAS. It directly affects manufacturers of firefighting PPE and fire departments purchasing this equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily vehicle traffic limit for municipalities and counties to install certain speed humps (specifically flat-topped speed tables ≥10 feet) without New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) approval. It raises the threshold from 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day on residential streets (two-lane or one-way) and within 500 feet of schools or school properties. Municipalities may now install these flat-topped speed tables without DOT approval on eligible streets meeting the higher traffic threshold, while standard speed humps still require the lower 3,000-vehicle limit. The bill directly affects local governments planning traffic calming measures on residential streets near schools or in business districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DHS) and the State Board of Medical Examiners to create a faster process for reviewing applications from doctors who want to join NJ FamilyCare (the state's Medicaid and children's health insurance program). Specifically, the medical board must share a physician's license number with DHS within 5 days of issuing it (or provide denial documentation within 5 days if licensure is denied), and DHS must begin processing applications immediately if they include license details or proof of pending licensure. DHS must also notify applicants within 10 days of receiving the license number if additional documents are needed. The bill does not change existing licensing or enrollment requirements and clarifies that approval cannot be granted before DHS receives a National Provider Identifier number.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows adults, emancipated minors, and their authorized representatives (like parents or legal guardians) to create a formal written directive preventing healthcare providers from prescribing or administering opioids. The directive must be created using a form developed by the New Jersey Department of Health and entered into the patient's electronic health record. Healthcare providers are protected from liability or disciplinary action for following the directive in good faith, though opioids may still be prescribed if medically necessary. Individuals can revoke the directive at any time, either orally or in writing.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates tiered retirement benefits in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), moving all current non-retired members to the "Tier 1" benefit level previously available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disability recipients under long-term insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits if they apply within two years. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in eligible New Jersey counties (population over 950,000) to provide nursing services for students in nonpublic schools. It shifts funding directly to county consortia of nonpublic schools - replacing the previous system where school districts received funds - to cover nursing services for participating schools. Nonpublic schools in the pilot must stop offering "courtesy nursing services" to students and instead rely entirely on the county consortium for these services. The program requires schools to formally join the consortium by June 1 each year and includes annual audits and a state report on the pilot's effectiveness after two years.