Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a surtax on non-public utility businesses with over $1 million in taxable net income. The surtax, which was set at 2.5% for 2018 and 1.5% for 2020-2021, is eliminated for all tax periods beginning January 1, 2019. Affected businesses will no longer owe this additional tax. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen for high-risk pregnancies using established medical guidelines and refer patients to specialists (perinatologists) when needed. It mandates reporting fetal deaths occurring at 20+ weeks gestation to a state electronic database, which currently only required reporting for births and deaths. The policy directly affects physicians, midwives, clinics, and hospitals providing prenatal or newborn care, particularly serving low-income expectant mothers at risk for complications. The goal is to improve birth outcomes by ensuring timely specialist care and better data collection during the perinatal period (20 weeks gestation through 28 days after birth).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2637) updates rules for public utility franchises (operating permits for companies providing electricity, water, or sewer services). It limits new franchises to seven years, requires utilities to get state board approval for new agreements, and gives local governments the power to revoke franchises if utilities violate terms. The bill also increases penalties for non-compliance from $100 to $25,000 per violation for failing to meet service or environmental standards. These changes directly affect utilities, local governments, and the State Board of Public Utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2648) requires involuntary commitment to mental health treatment for adults who have been administered an opioid antidote (like naloxone) for an apparent opioid overdose and are unwilling to accept voluntary treatment. It directly affects individuals experiencing opioid overdoses who receive emergency antidote treatment but refuse further care. The key provision amends the definition of "dangerous to self" to automatically include anyone who received an opioid antidote for overdose, eliminating the need for separate evaluation of risk in these cases. This changes the criteria for initiating involuntary commitment under New Jersey's mental health laws. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill), not a law. It urges Congress and the President to enact the federal "Kids Online Safety Act" (KOSA), which would require social media platforms to prevent addictive design features, expand parental controls, and block harmful content for minors. The resolution directly affects children and teens (ages 8-17) by advocating for federal policy changes to address mental health concerns linked to social media use. It has no binding effect and serves only as a symbolic request to federal lawmakers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to provide financial assistance and support services - such as low-cost workspace, mentoring, and technical guidance - to early-stage startup businesses focused on advanced technology fields (including biotechnology, information technology, and advanced materials) located within business accelerators or incubators. It directly affects qualifying startups, business accelerators, and incubators by creating a "Startup Businesses in Business Incubators Development Program" administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority. Key mechanisms include funding for these facilities through a new grant program and defining eligibility criteria (e.g., startups must be in early development and engaged in specific tech sectors). The program aims to strengthen New Jersey's innovation ecosystem by connecting startups with resources at research institutions and urban transit hubs.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $500,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Borough of North Caldwell specifically for restoring the Walker’s Family Home at Walker’s Park and the surrounding 17-acre park property. The funds are intended to cover restoration costs for the historic home and park, which the borough acquired in 2016. The appropriation is added to the existing 2024 state budget through a supplemental funding measure. The borough will determine how to use the restored property after completion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that any bill certified for a fiscal note or estimate cannot be released from committee until a complete fiscal note or estimate is prepared. It directly affects legislative committees, bill sponsors, and the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, who must provide the fiscal analysis. The key mechanism mandates that committees must withhold releasing such bills until the fiscal note is finalized, preventing premature committee action. The bill does not change how fiscal notes are created but enforces a procedural requirement for their completion before bills advance. This applies to all bills requiring fiscal analysis under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThe "Madison Holleran Proper Reporting Act" (Bill A 2636) requires New Jersey colleges and universities to publicly post on their websites the total number of enrolled students who died by suicide or attempted suicide in the previous academic year. Starting with the 2019-2020 school year, institutions must update this information annually for public access. The law aims to increase transparency about student mental health outcomes, aligning with data showing suicide as the third-leading cause of death for New Jersey youth aged 10-24. It does not impose new mental health services but mandates annual reporting of aggregate statistics.

Maddy summaryACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.