Asm. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity charge to customers through multiple prominent methods: on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website (if applicable). It directly affects restaurants that impose mandatory service charges, making failure to disclose a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, and triple damages for affected patrons. The law takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of nine human trafficking survivors with relevant expertise, must evaluate existing anti-trafficking laws, review assistance programs, and develop public awareness campaigns - including hotlines and signage - before and during the event. It is required to submit a detailed report with specific recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 240 days, covering best practices, law changes, and coordination with law enforcement. The bill appropriates $1 million to fund the council’s operations and mandates the Attorney General to issue guidelines for responding to trafficking risks during the World Cup.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3041 prohibits cooperatives from receiving public works contracts if any member contractor or subcontractor within the cooperative has failed to pay prevailing wages. The bill extends a three-year ban (currently applied to individual contractors) to cover entire cooperatives, meaning a cooperative cannot win contracts if one of its members violates wage laws. It defines a "cooperative" as a business with collective ownership and long-term member control, and includes a process for affected cooperatives to request a hearing if they believe the ban is wrongly applied. The prohibition applies to all cooperative entities with a member on the prevailing wage violation list, lasting three years from the date of listing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide students with information about food assistance programs. Specifically, institutions must include links to SNAP (food stamp) applications, NJ 211 (a state service for human services referrals), and details about campus or community food programs like pantries or meal swipes. This information must be included in initial admission offers and sent via email during each semester's registration. The policy directly affects public higher education institutions and students who may need access to food support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create a statewide policy for student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on school buses, or at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules (like banning non-academic use during class), allow emergency phone access, accommodate students with disabilities, and cover devices like smartwatches. School districts must adopt a local policy consistent with this DOE policy by the start of the next full school year, though districts may apply for an exemption. The policy also outlines storage options (e.g., lockers) and network restrictions for social media access.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated business tax funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation. The funds will directly support Oldmans Township in Salem County through a municipal planning incentive grant to help preserve farmland. The grant is intended to assist the township in developing local plans that protect agricultural land. The funding comes from existing constitutionally protected revenues designated for open space and farmland preservation under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1941) requires the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking to expand public awareness signage about human trafficking to 12 new types of establishments, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The signage must display the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline number and meet specific size (8.5" x 11") and language (English/Spanish) requirements. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects all covered establishments by mandating visible signage to educate the public on trafficking resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a central registry managed by New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to streamline background checks for employees and volunteers working with youth. It applies to organizations providing recreational, educational, or social activities for people under 18 (excluding schools), requiring them to register and pay a fee to participate. The registry mandates biennial background checks for all staff/volunteers - requiring written consent and capping check fees at actual cost - and automatically updates disqualification records for offenses like violent crimes, child-related offenses, theft, or certain drug violations. Organizations can check employee/volunteer status via a secure website or phone, ensuring consistent disqualification standards across all participating groups.