Asm. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new public buildings or substantial renovations (costing $40,000 or more) to install induction loop listening systems, which transmit sound directly to hearing aids with a telecoil feature. It applies to spaces regularly open to the public, such as libraries, theaters, banks, medical waiting areas, and grocery checkouts. Building owners must post visible signage indicating the system’s availability and confirm its functionality every two years. Installation may be exempt if a local agency deems it impractical for the specific space.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a new license allowing wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to directly ship wine to consumers. Currently, wineries exceeding this production threshold are prohibited from direct shipping, while smaller wineries (250,000 gallons or less) can ship directly to consumers. The new license would permit these larger wineries to ship up to 12 cases of wine per year (with each case not exceeding nine liters) to consumers aged 21 or older for personal consumption only, not for resale. Wineries would need to collect and pay applicable taxes, and maintain records of shipments for inspection by enforcement officers for three years. This change would expand direct shipping options for larger wineries that currently cannot ship directly to consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes individuals who falsely claim ownership or possession of a residential property to rent it out or gain a benefit without the owner's consent. It targets "imposter landlords" who advertise rentals they don't legally control, making such actions a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The law does not apply to legitimate tenants, subtenants, or real estate professionals acting in good faith with a client's verified occupancy rights. It also explicitly excludes online platforms from liability under federal Section 230. Violations would also trigger New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, allowing for triple damages and attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school students aged 16 or older to have an excused absence on election days when working as paid poll workers. It requires schools to record such absences as excused on attendance records and not count them toward perfect attendance. Students must provide documentation to school officials verifying their poll worker role. The law applies to all public school districts in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Police Training Commission to include a mandatory police misconduct training course in the basic curriculum for all new police officers. The course, to be taught by instructors with advanced degrees in sociology or related fields, uses real cases like George Floyd's death to address excessive force, bias, and the duty to intervene in misconduct. It also covers how smartphones document police actions, the community impact of poor policing, and strategies for handling civil unrest. The training will count for three credits toward the total requirements for completing basic police training.

Maddy summaryAssembly Bill A873 appropriates $1 billion in supplemental funding for "Grants for After School Recreation in Urban Areas" under New Jersey's Department of Education. The funds are exclusively available to municipalities that are members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA), which represents urban communities with documented need for youth programs. The bill specifies that funds must be used to improve recreational infrastructure (like playgrounds and pools), reopen closed parks, and support after-school programs - including computer science education, home economics, and life skills training - through mentorship, sports organizations, and summer educational initiatives. The Commissioner of Education will administer the grant program via a process established by the department.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3285) helps veterans who served in the National Guard or Reserves during specific military operations (after 9/11/2001) but couldn't complete police or firefighter hiring requirements due to their service. It requires that if a veteran passed the civil service exam but was delayed by at least 30 days of continuous active duty, their name must be placed on the next eligible list for the same job in order of their exam score. The bill also waives age requirements if the veteran met the age limit by the original exam closing date. This applies to veterans called to duty between 9/11/2001 and the end of designated operations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a legal presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in a child's best interest, meaning courts must assume both parents should share decision-making authority and the child should spend equal or nearly equal time with each parent. A parent seeking to avoid joint custody must provide clear and convincing evidence that it would harm the child, and the court must document its reasoning if it deviates from this presumption. The bill does not change the requirement that custody arrangements must align with the child's best interests but shifts the starting point for court decisions to joint custody. It applies to all child custody cases in New Jersey and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires newly constructed multiple dwellings (like apartment buildings) and hotels to install monitored carbon monoxide detectors. It specifically applies to new buildings that already have a monitored fire alarm system (which alerts emergency services during a fire). The bill mandates that these buildings must also include a monitored carbon monoxide system - meaning the detector not only sounds an alarm but also automatically notifies the fire department if dangerous carbon monoxide levels are detected. This requirement would take effect after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Forensic Science Laboratory at Rutgers University-Camden to provide shared forensic services for law enforcement agencies in southern New Jersey. The lab will offer real-time testing for fingerprint analysis, DNA identification, firearm examination, and other forensic services to support crime investigations. It requires the lab to collaborate with external partners for research and education, and to submit a two-year progress report to the state legislature. The bill appropriates up to $500,000 from the state budget to cover the lab's operational costs.