Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires healthcare facilities to provide safeguards for nursing home residents and those with health conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, guarantee adequate care and therapy, allow family visitation, and protect legal directives like "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers with open offices and ensures access to legal services during emergencies. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online and require all healthcare facilities to display them prominently.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Local Governmental Process Activities Disclosure Act," expands lobbying disclosure requirements to New Jersey's local government level. It requires anyone acting as a "governmental affairs agent" (a person who influences local measures, regulations, or processes) to register with the Election Law Enforcement Commission before communicating with local officials or providing benefits. The bill mandates quarterly reports on lobbying activities and annual reports detailing expenditures, with specific limits on gifts to local officials ($250 annually) and their immediate family members. It applies to all local government entities including municipalities, counties, school districts, and local authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-year pilot program to help New Jersey fire departments test new technology for fighting electric vehicle (EV) fires. County fire marshals or code enforcers can apply for $5,000 grants to purchase and test emerging firefighting tools, with up to $115,000 total funding drawn from the Universal Service Fund. Grantees must submit a report after one year detailing the technology used, its effectiveness, and whether additional equipment would be beneficial. The program is temporary and requires participating departments to evaluate new methods for suppressing high-voltage battery fires, addressing known challenges reported by fire safety experts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A385) creates legal protection for physicians who provide prenatal care, shielding them from civil lawsuits if a child is born with a birth injury or congenital defect, provided specific conditions are met. It directly affects doctors who deliver prenatal care and their patients (mothers). Key requirements include: the physician must have met standard medical care, the mother must have chosen not to continue prenatal visits in the final eight weeks, the physician must have advised the mother about the importance of ongoing care, and either the issue wasn't detectable during care or the physician fully informed the mother about risks, consequences, and medical options. The immunity applies immediately to births occurring on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A688 lowers the time threshold for being classified as a "governmental affairs agent" from 20 hours to one hour per calendar year. This means individuals or organizations spending more than one hour communicating with lawmakers, the Governor, or executive staff to influence laws, regulations, or government processes must now register and report their activities. Previously, activities under 20 hours were exempt as "isolated, exceptional, or infrequent," but this change expands reporting requirements to cover a broader range of engagement. The bill directly affects lobbyists, advocacy groups, and employers who previously engaged in minimal government communication without disclosure obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with documented history of causing or worsening downstream flooding. For these reservoirs, the DEP must study downstream flood risks and water supply needs, then set maximum water levels to balance flood prevention with community water access. Reservoir owners must create and follow an approved flood action plan (including flood gates) within 90 days of DEP rules. The Office of Emergency Management can also order immediate water level reductions during severe weather to prevent flooding, with the state indemnifying owners who comply with these orders and approved plans.

Maddy summaryAJR 21 designates the third full week in December each year as "Teen Driver Safety Awareness Week" in New Jersey, honoring Kyleigh D'Alessio, a 16-year-old who died in a teen driver crash. The bill asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the week with safety-focused activities. It directly affects state officials (via the proclamation request) and aims to raise awareness among teen drivers, parents, and teachers about safe driving practices. The resolution does not create new laws but promotes existing safety messaging to address teen driving risks highlighted in the bill's context.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents who buy a passenger car through a private sale (from a non-dealer) to legally drive the vehicle for three days without permanent registration or title transfer. To do this, the buyer must apply online through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC), providing insurance details, vehicle information, and seller details. Upon approval, the NJMVC issues an electronic receipt and a printable temporary license plate that must be displayed on the car. The three-day period requires the vehicle to remain insured, and operation beyond this time requires standard registration or registration in another state. Violations carry a fine of up to $100.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's 2019 "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act," which allowed terminally ill patients to request medication for self-administration to end their lives. It removes a legal exception that previously prevented such actions from being prosecuted as suicide or assisted suicide under state law. The repeal directly affects terminally ill patients who could have sought this option and healthcare providers who facilitated the process. The key mechanism is the elimination of this exception, restoring the state's general criminal law on aiding suicide to apply to these situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all school bus drivers in New Jersey - employed by public school districts or private/parochial schools - to undergo unannounced drug and alcohol testing twice each school year. It directly affects school bus drivers by mandating testing for alcohol, narcotics, and habit-producing drugs under state law, with immediate ineligibility for operation if results are positive or if a driver refuses testing. Drivers must be given an appeal process to challenge testing accuracy before termination, and school districts must submit testing evidence annually to county superintendents. The law aims to enhance student safety through regular, surprise screenings, building on existing background checks and medical requirements.