Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill bans most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization (conception), requiring physicians to determine the unborn child's post-fertilization age before performing an abortion. It directly affects women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and physicians who perform such procedures. Key exceptions allow abortions for: (1) life-threatening medical conditions of the pregnant person; (2) rape (if reported to authorities and 48-hour counseling is obtained); or (3) incest involving minors (if reported). If an abortion occurs under an exception and the child survives, the bill requires a neonatal care specialist to be present to provide life-saving care.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for emergency treatment of students with seizure disorders, specifically for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using manual vagus nerve stimulators. It directly affects students with diagnosed seizure disorders, school nurses, and designated school staff trained to provide these emergency interventions. Key provisions include mandating written parental consent, requiring school nurses to train at least two volunteer staff members, ensuring medication access, and requiring hospital transport after emergency treatment. The policy also includes liability protections for school employees acting in good faith under the guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Veteran Grant Program, providing tuition assistance for veterans attending public colleges and universities in New Jersey. It directly affects veterans who completed at least one year of active military service (including National Guard or Reserves), hold an honorable discharge, reside in New Jersey, and apply for other available grants first. The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to 18 credits per semester after other aid is applied, with public institutions required to waive any remaining balance. To qualify, veterans must maintain good academic standing, not be in student loan default, and not receive ROTC scholarships, with grants renewable annually based on continued eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's electric utilities to proactively manage "dangerous vegetation" (trees or plants near power lines) to prevent outages, following ANSI tree care standards. It requires utilities to notify property owners and local governments before trimming or removing vegetation, with specific timing (7-45 days for property owners, 2 months for municipalities). The law overrides existing forestry protections like the Shade Tree Act to prioritize grid reliability after storms caused widespread power disruptions. It directly affects investor-owned electric utilities, property owners near utility rights-of-way, and local government entities through new management and notice requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow students attending nonpublic (private) schools to try out for and participate in their district's high school sports teams, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students. Nonpublic school students must provide proof of district residency and satisfy the district's standard requirements for sports participation, such as physical exams, academic standards, and fees. Districts may charge nonpublic students a fee up to the actual per-pupil cost of the sport (excluding those qualifying for financial hardship), but are not required to provide transportation or alter team schedules. The law does not change existing eligibility rules set by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits school buses from driving in the left lane of roadways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, except under three specific circumstances: preparing for a left turn (up to one mile), entering/exiting the roadway (up to one mile), or responding to safety emergencies like accidents, poor visibility, or snow. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers who must follow this lane restriction. Violations carry a fine of $100-$300 plus a $50 surcharge. The law amends New Jersey’s traffic code to enhance safety by keeping school buses out of faster-moving left lanes unless necessary for turns or emergencies.

Maddy summaryAJR 88 designates April of each year as "Autism Acceptance Month" in New Jersey. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities raising awareness about autism spectrum disorders. This resolution aligns New Jersey with the existing National Autism Acceptance Month in April and addresses the state's status as having the highest autism rate in the U.S., per CDC data. It focuses on awareness rather than new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate for corporations filing tax returns. It lowers the standard tax rate from 7% for tax years ending after December 31, 2020, to 5% in 2021, 3% in 2022, and 2.5% in 2023. Small New Jersey S corporations with net income under $100,000 will see reduced rates (3.5% for 2020-2021, 2.5% for 2021 onward). The changes apply to corporations calculating tax under existing law, modifying the rate schedule in Section 5 of P.L.1945, c.162.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts protective face coverings (such as medical masks and respirators) from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects individuals purchasing these items for personal use to protect against infection spread. The key provision adds "protective face coverings" as a specific item to the existing list of tax-exempt medical products under the Sales and Use Tax Act. The exemption applies to all face coverings designed or sold to protect wearers or others from illness transmission. The bill became effective immediately upon enactment.