Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3233) adjusts the New Jersey veterans' income tax exemption amount annually for inflation. It directly affects veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or New Jersey Reserve. The exemption amount, currently $6,000, will be updated each year based on the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U) for the 12-month period ending August 31 of the prior year. If inflation is zero, the exemption amount remains unchanged. The change applies to tax years starting in 2023 and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific entities and data types from New Jersey's personal data notification and disclosure requirements under P.L.2023, c.266. It applies to healthcare providers (covered by HIPAA), financial institutions (under Gramm-Leach-Bliley), insurance entities, state agencies, consumer reporting agencies (under FCRA), research organizations (using federal human subjects protections), and other federally regulated entities. The key mechanism removes the need for these entities to comply with NJ's data disclosure rules when handling information already governed by federal laws. The bill was withdrawn in 2026 after becoming redundant due to another enacted law (P.L.2025, c.367).

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2730) authorizes New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conservation officers and park police to use drones (unmanned aircraft systems) during enforcement activities. It expands their existing authority to arrest individuals violating state laws when those violations are observed via drone, including for wildlife protection, trespassing, and park disturbances. The bill amends two existing statutes to formally permit drone use as a tool for observing and documenting law violations during enforcement, while requiring DEP to establish training programs for officers using this technology. The change specifically broadens current drone use beyond wildlife enforcement to cover additional duties under DEP jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Anthony's Legacy Act," modifies New Jersey's visitation rights law to provide special consideration for grandparents seeking visitation who are Gold Star family members (relatives of military service members who died in active duty). It requires courts to specifically weigh the grandparent's status as a Gold Star family member as part of the "best interests of the child" evaluation when reviewing visitation applications. The bill does not change the existing burden of proof or other factors courts consider, but adds this specific consideration to the list of factors under Section 1(b)(2). It directly affects grandparents in military-connected families seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. The policy change is limited to visitation proceedings and does not alter other aspects of family law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to add social media development services to its existing Small Business E-commerce Support Program. The program currently provides e-commerce and digital marketing consulting to eligible small businesses (like restaurants, retail stores, and personal care businesses in commercial locations), and this bill mandates that social media platform development assistance be included alongside current offerings like website and digital marketing support. It applies only to this specific pilot program under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, established by the 2020 Economic Recovery Act. The change would take effect immediately upon enactment, but the requirement ends when the pilot program terminates.