Asm. John Azzariti

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state entities, including the Commissioner of Health, from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition for attending public K-12 schools. It directly affects students and families in New Jersey's public primary and secondary schools by removing a vaccination mandate for attendance. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment, preventing state-level enforcement of such requirements.

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 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 summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1007) gives courts authority to order parents to cover their unemancipated child's post-high school educational expenses, including college or vocational training. Courts must consider 22 specific factors like parents' financial ability, child's academic commitment, and availability of scholarships or loans when determining payment amounts. The court may require the child to contribute through work-study, grants, or loans, and parents' obligation typically ends when the child earns a bachelor's degree or equivalent certification. The law specifies that courts may modify or terminate parental contribution if the child fails to maintain enrollment, academic standards, or provide required documentation.

Maddy summaryAR 86 is a symbolic Assembly Resolution expressing New Jersey's support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas for launching a "massive, unprovoked war" involving rocket attacks, killings, abductions, and violence against civilians (citing 1,400 Israeli deaths and 30 American citizens among the casualties). The resolution formally supports Israel "as it defends itself" and directs copies to Israel's Prime Minister, U.S. ambassadors to Israel and the U.S., and New Jersey's members of Congress. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new laws but publicly affirms New Jersey's stance on the conflict.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A780) requires businesses, schools, and other entities that demand vaccination proof for access to services, employment, or venues to accept voluntary confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response instead. It directly affects individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and developed natural immunity, allowing them to use this confirmation in place of vaccination records. Entities must treat these individuals equally, offering the same access and terms as those providing vaccination proof, and may accept confirmation verbally. The law applies to schools, colleges, workplaces, and public accommodations but explicitly states it won’t override federal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides a $500 annual tax credit against gross income tax for volunteer firefighters who have been actively serving for three consecutive years. It directly affects volunteer firefighters employed by incorporated volunteer fire companies or part-paid fire departments in the state. To qualify, a taxpayer must have been an active member for the entire current tax year and the two prior years. The credit reduces the taxpayer's state income tax bill by up to $500 but cannot lower the tax below zero.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits medical students, residents, and trainees from performing certain examinations on female patients who are anesthetized or unconscious without the patient's informed consent. It requires a supervising health care practitioner to first obtain the patient's consent or confirm the exam is medically necessary. Female patients must be allowed to choose whether to undergo such examinations before or after anesthesia if the exam relates to their procedure or is deemed necessary beforehand. The law applies to all clinical settings where these examinations occur and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers to exclude certain retirement plan contributions from their state gross income tax. It applies to contributions made to 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, qualified pension plans, government deferred compensation plans (457 plans), and the federal Thrift Savings Fund. These contributions would be taxed upon withdrawal rather than at the time of contribution, effectively reducing taxable income for eligible taxpayers in the year they make contributions. The change would apply to contributions made in taxable years beginning January 1 following the bill's enactment.