Asm. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4374) makes two specific violations of New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act criminal offenses. It targets employers who knowingly falsify payroll records for public construction projects or submit false information on contractor registration forms. Currently, these violations result in fines up to $25,000 and disqualification from public work; the bill upgrades them to a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to $10,000 in fines, 18 months in jail, or both. The law applies directly to employers working on state or local public construction projects requiring prevailing wage compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for fire departments in New Jersey to stop using Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) by one year, allowing continued use until January 1, 2028, instead of the original January 1, 2027, deadline. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to expand a grant program that reimburses municipalities for replacing PFAS-containing foam with compliant alternatives. The extension provides fire departments additional time to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foam while ensuring funding is available for the replacement process. The bill does not change the ultimate prohibition date but gives fire departments more time to comply with the broader PFAS restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires all subscription service providers (such as streaming platforms, gym memberships, or recurring payment services) to give customers an easy way to cancel their subscriptions using the same method they signed up (e.g., online, by phone, or in person). It also mandates that providers using "negative option" features (where silence or inaction is treated as acceptance) must clearly disclose terms, obtain explicit consent before charging, and provide a simple cancellation mechanism. Violations can result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, expanding previous rules that only applied to health clubs to cover all subscription services.

Maddy summaryThis bill classifies tianeptine, an antidepressant medication, as a Schedule II controlled substance under New Jersey law. It makes possession, distribution, or manufacturing of tianeptine illegal without authorization, with penalties including up to 10 years in prison for larger quantities (second-degree crime) or 3-5 years for smaller amounts (third-degree crime). The law directly affects anyone possessing or distributing tianeptine, including patients prescribed the drug, as it would require a prescription to legally obtain it. The policy change aligns tianeptine with other high-risk substances under New Jersey’s Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5195) requires manufacturers to provide written notice to purchasers when selling firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, or gloves) containing chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's used, and list the specific chemicals. Beginning six months after the bill takes effect, manufacturers must provide this notice at sale, and both parties must keep copies for three years. Two years later, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing firefighting gear that intentionally contains PFAS. It directly affects manufacturers of firefighting PPE and fire departments purchasing this equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether small modular reactors (SMRs) - nuclear reactors under 300 megawatts - can be feasibly deployed statewide. The BPU must complete this 18-month study, using $5 million in state funds, and consult with environmental and economic agencies. The study will examine suitable locations (like retired power sites), regulatory requirements, economic costs, safety, environmental impacts, and public input through three hearings. It will also assess how SMRs could integrate with existing energy infrastructure and recommend a potential pilot program for future deployment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4651) imposes penalties on parents or legal guardians who fail to properly supervise minors, leading to specific juvenile offenses. If a minor causes property damage due to the guardian's willful disregard, the guardian faces a $1,000 civil fine. For a first offense where a minor incites a public brawl, the guardian could be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine). For second or subsequent public brawl offenses by the minor, the guardian faces a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine). The bill directly affects parents/guardians whose supervision failures result in juvenile adjudications under N.J.S.2C:33-1 (public brawl) or N.J.S.2C:33-2 (property damage).

Maddy summaryS 2961 requires contractors working on New Jersey public works projects (funded by public money) to certify that each employee meets one of three minimum qualifications: a high school diploma or GED, enrollment in an equivalent apprenticeship program, or four years of documented trade work experience verified by tax filings. Contractors must submit this certification as part of their registration with the state, alongside other required documentation like business details and insurance proof. Non-compliance could lead to denial, suspension, or revocation of the contractor’s public works registration. The bill directly affects contractors bidding on public projects and the workers they employ on those projects.

Maddy summaryBill A5538 prohibits New Jersey municipal water utilities from charging fire districts for fire protection systems when the utility is already charging water service fees to customers who are taxpayers of that fire district. This prevents double-charging for the same fire protection water service - once through utility bills and again through fire district taxes. The bill amends state law to require that water utility rate structures exclude such charges on fire districts under these specific circumstances. It directly affects municipal water authorities and fire districts across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that home improvement and home elevation contractors in New Jersey must either hold a state license or work under the direct supervision of a licensed contractor. It directly affects individuals and businesses performing these specific services, requiring them to meet one of these two licensing conditions. The bill amends existing law to make this requirement explicit, ensuring no unlicensed person can perform such work independently. It does not create new licensing standards but clarifies the current enforcement mechanism.