Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) program to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, restricting permanent development. It directly affects landowners with at least five contiguous acres of woodlands managed under approved forest stewardship or woodland management plans. The program is funded through a new "Woodlands Protection Fund" using federal funds (including Forest Legacy Program money), private donations, state appropriations, and investment returns. Acquired easements must be recorded with local officials, and landowners are not required to provide public access to preserved woodlands.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes doxxing a crime in New Jersey by criminalizing the intentional disclosure of personal identifying information without consent, with the purpose of causing fear, violence, stalking, or mental anguish. The crime applies when such disclosure creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury, stalking, or inflicts mental anguish that places the person or their "close relation" in reasonable fear of physical harm. The bill broadly defines "close relation" to include family members, household members, and significant personal or professional relationships. Exceptions exist for good-faith disclosures to the public about unlawful conduct or to law enforcement, with penalties ranging from up to 18 months in prison (fourth degree) to 3-5 years (third degree) if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1930 broadens the criminal statute for cyber-harassment targeting minors. It lowers the age threshold for a third-degree offense from 21 to 18 years old and removes the requirement that offenders must impersonate a minor to be charged. The bill also mandates that minors under 16 convicted of cyber-harassment complete educational programs about online safety, and penalizes parents who fail to comply with court orders regarding these programs. These changes directly affect adults aged 18+ who cyber-harass minors, minors under 16 who commit such acts, and their parents or guardians. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey places of worship - such as churches, mosques, and synagogues - to create a security plan permitting one designated person to carry a handgun during religious services. The governing body of the worship facility must select a trained individual (who has completed an approved firearm handling course, unless they are a law enforcement officer) and ensure the person secures the weapon while traveling to or from the service. It does not override existing state laws prohibiting firearm possession in other contexts, nor does it require any place of worship to adopt this security measure. The law specifically applies to religious services held on the premises of registered 501(c)(3) organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to fly both the U.S. and New Jersey state flags at half-staff on all public buildings whenever the President directs the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff. It mandates the Governor to issue this directive immediately upon such a presidential order. The law applies specifically to state government buildings, including courthouses, state offices, and public schools, but does not affect private property. It creates a clear, automatic process to align state flag protocol with the President's directives on national mourning or tribute. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a proportional property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected permanent disability rated at 10% or higher. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses) by reducing their property taxes in line with their disability rating, with a $10,000 cap for exemptions below 100% disability. Veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected disability receive a full 100% exemption, matching current benefits for those with 100% disability ratings. The bill also requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax costs for these exemptions, including administrative expenses, through annual reporting by local tax authorities.