Asm. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to provide confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living with the officer) who are in a mental health crisis or suicidal. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers to deliver these services, with priority given to providers located within one hour of where clients live to reduce travel barriers. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, publish approved providers online, and oversee implementation once funded.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age to obtain a firearms purchaser identification card in New Jersey from 18 to 21 years. It directly affects individuals under 21 who wish to purchase rifles or shotguns (excluding antique models), as they would no longer be eligible for the required card. The key provision amends New Jersey Statute 2C:58-3(c)(4) to increase the age threshold for this specific permit. The change applies only to rifles and shotguns, not handguns (which already require a 21+ age for permits). The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryBill A 1082 provides emergency state school aid to specific New Jersey school districts facing closure due to state aid cuts. It directly affects districts located in municipalities listed on historic registers, with only one federally built school building (which would revert to federal control if closed), high student achievement, and financial risk from reduced state funding. The bill requires districts to apply annually, and the Commissioner of Education must provide aid equal to the exact amount of state aid reduction threatening the school's operation. This aid aims to prevent closure, protecting both students and the community's historic legacy. The program covers the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands requirements for public awareness signage about human trafficking. It adds 10 new locations where businesses and facilities must display the Commission on Human Trafficking's sign, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The sign must be 8.5x11 inches, in 16-point font, and bilingual (English/Spanish), containing the national trafficking hotline number. Businesses failing to display or replace defaced signs face $300 fines for first offenses and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects the listed establishments by mandating visible signage to aid trafficking victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's data breach law to require businesses and public entities to disclose security breaches involving geolocation data. It adds "geolocation" (the location of an individual determined by electronic devices like phones or tablets) to the legal definition of "personal information," which already includes Social Security numbers and financial account details. Under the change, if a breach compromises geolocation data, the entity must notify affected consumers, just as they currently must for other personal information breaches. This expands existing disclosure requirements to cover location data collected by apps, services, or devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school districts serving grades 4-12 to hold an annual, 3-5 day program focused on bullying prevention and intervention. The program must include age-appropriate sessions covering bullying types and effects, cyberbullying prevention, bystander intervention skills, empathy, and creating supportive peer relationships for all students. School staff must also receive related training as part of the program, and districts may use the Bullying Prevention Fund for grant support if resources are lacking. Non-compliance may result in withheld state aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), and the State Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) to cover specific mammogram screenings. It mandates one baseline mammogram for women aged 35 and annual screenings for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) as determined by their provider. Additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs are covered if needed due to dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or other risk factors. The law applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, ensuring these screenings are covered without additional out-of-pocket costs for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3945) protects hospitality franchisees - such as owners of hotels, motels, and inns - from certain unfair practices by franchisors. It prohibits franchisors from: - Keeping hidden payments from vendors (requiring full disclosure and sharing with franchisees or a committee), - Forcing franchisees to buy goods/services exclusively from them (unless reasonable standards apply), - Opening competing locations in a franchisee’s protected territory, or - Unilaterally changing terms without justification (like health/safety updates). The law also requires franchisors to disclose all fees in advance and get franchisee approval for new charges, with a Franchisee Advisory Committee overseeing fund use. It applies only to franchises operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program to fund renovations of underused buildings (like vacant malls, hotels, or office parks) into housing for homeless individuals and families with very low incomes (earning ≤30% of area median income). It appropriates $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide low-interest loans to qualified developers for these renovations, with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency administering the program. The housing must include supportive services to help residents transition to stable housing, either as temporary transitional housing (up to 24 months) or permanent supportive housing.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases the annual income limit for seniors (65+) and disabled residents to qualify for a $250 property tax deduction. It raises the limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2014 and onward, with future limits automatically adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation. The deduction amount itself remains fixed at $250 annually, and the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect. This change directly affects eligible homeowners aged 65+ or disabled residents with incomes up to the new adjusted limit.