Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically send mail-in ballot applications to registered voters who are 17 years old upon reaching their 18th birthday. It directly affects 17-year-old registered voters who will turn 18 before the next general election. The key provision mandates that clerks mail these applications on the voter’s 18th birthday, rather than requiring voters to request them separately. The state will reimburse counties for any additional costs from implementing this change. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tuition credits for volunteers in fire and rescue services in New Jersey. It raises the annual tuition credit from $600 to $1,250 per year of service, with a new total maximum of $5,000 over a four-year commitment (up from $2,400). The program covers active volunteer members, their spouses, and dependent children who agree to serve four years in a volunteer fire company or rescue squad. Eligible individuals can use these credits at county colleges, vocational schools, or technical institutes for tuition-free enrollment, subject to space availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4596) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to form partnerships with businesses, community groups, healthcare providers, universities, and other stakeholders to strengthen emergency response during public health crises. The DOH must identify critical resources and at-risk populations, then establish formal partnerships to develop joint response plans, conduct shared training, and coordinate across agencies. These partnerships will focus on improving preparedness and response capabilities for future crises. The bill directly affects the DOH and the entities it partners with, aiming to create a more coordinated system without changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to revise its Pandemic Influenza Plan to better prepare for future large-scale flu outbreaks. The updated plan must address long-running pandemics, align with federal public health standards, clarify agency roles during emergencies, improve coordination with local health departments, establish healthcare guidelines for severe shortages, and address health equity gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH must seek input from the Governor’s Office, local health departments, and public health stakeholders during revisions and regularly update the plan for training exercises. The bill directly affects state emergency response systems and aims to strengthen New Jersey’s public health preparedness.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4744) requires six New Jersey authorities (NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA) to consider and prioritize minorities and women in hiring decisions and to consider and prioritize minority-owned and women-owned businesses when awarding contracts. The bill defines "minority" to include Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals, and specifies detailed criteria for minority and women-owned businesses. Each authority must publish demographic data about their employees and contractors on their websites, including counts by gender, race, and ethnicity with average salary and contract values, updating this information quarterly. The provisions for PANYNJ and DRPA will only become effective after New York and Pennsylvania pass similar legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to make a good faith effort to increase the use of certified minority and women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors in state procurement. It mandates agencies to develop specific goals based on a statewide disparity study (to be completed by August 2029), which found minority and women-owned businesses currently receive only 4-15% of prime contract dollars across different sectors. Contractors must submit utilization plans detailing how they'll engage these businesses, with waivers available for those who make good faith efforts but can't meet requirements. Agencies must report annually on progress toward goals, with the bill set to expire on December 31, 2029 if the disparity study shows no continuing disparity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Home Security Systems Anti-Burglary Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. The task force will study home security systems - including keyless entry, cameras, and alarms - to make recommendations for manufacturers and installers aimed at preventing residential burglaries. Composed of 14 members (including state officials, industry representatives from groups like the Security Industry Association, and public members with locksmith/alarm experience), it must submit a report within six months detailing improvements to security system design and product availability, along with any needed legislative or regulatory changes. The task force expires upon report submission.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's burglary statute (N.J.S.2C:5-5) to explicitly include keyless locking mechanisms under the definition of "burglar's tools." It makes it a crime to manufacture, possess, or publish plans for tools designed to bypass keyless locks with the intent to commit burglary. Manufacturing such tools or publishing plans is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), while mere possession is a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months or $1,000 fine). The law directly affects individuals who create or distribute devices specifically intended to illegally access premises through keyless systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) to ensure its child abuse reporting hotline provides callers with information about available support resources for victims and their families. The hotline, which currently handles abuse reports, will now also share details on community services such as counseling, parenting programs, and substance abuse treatment. This change mandates that all hotline interactions include referrals to these assistance programs, directly helping families seeking immediate support after reporting abuse. The amendment applies to the emergency hotline maintained by DCPP and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or guardians with 60 days' written notice before increasing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), first-class mail, or in-person delivery to the parent's last known address, and also post it on their website and display it prominently at the center. The notice requirement applies to all tuition rate changes occurring three months after the bill's enactment. This directly affects parents of children enrolled in licensed child care centers by giving them advance warning of fee changes.