Asm. Balvir Singh

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of three new urban enterprise zones (UEZs) in New Jersey, including one joint zone, expanding the existing program. It directly affects qualifying municipalities that meet specific criteria, such as those previously designated or listed in prior legislation. The key mechanism allows businesses in these new zones to qualify for tax benefits, including reduced sales tax on qualifying purchases, provided they meet employee residency or low-income hiring requirements. These zones aim to stimulate economic development in distressed areas by incentivizing business investment and job creation. The bill amends existing statutes to formalize the designation process and eligibility standards for the new zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board's role to implement an annual progress review program for New Jersey's child advocacy centers and teams, ensuring they meet national accreditation standards. It also creates a new "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program" to support youth under 18 exhibiting developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviors (including tech-related issues like sexting), with $8.5 million in funding. The program will use specialized care coordinators to connect affected youth and families with medical, mental health, and community resources. It directly affects child advocacy centers, multidisciplinary teams, and youth/families experiencing these behavioral challenges. The bill amends existing law to establish these requirements and funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for certain long-term incarcerated individuals in New Jersey to seek release. It allows inmates who have served at least 20 years (or 30 years for murder convictions) and are age 60 (or 62 for murder) to receive a "Certificate of Eligibility for Rehabilitative Release" from the Corrections Commissioner. The process requires a court hearing where the individual must demonstrate they are not a danger to the community, have engaged in rehabilitation while incarcerated, and that justice warrants release - considering factors like victim input, their crime's severity, and a reentry plan. If approved, the individual receives a modified sentence and five years of parole supervision.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2518) clarifies when hotel or motel occupants qualify as "residential tenants" rather than transient guests, directly affecting long-term guests seeking protection under the Anti-Eviction Act (P.L.1974, c.49). It establishes a seven-factor test: stay duration (3+ months), intent to stay long-term (e.g., changing address or school registration), owner notification, being the occupant’s only residence, presence of kitchen appliances, and personal housekeeping. Exceptions include occupants receiving emergency housing assistance (who retain tenant protections until benefits end) and those who fail to provide registration information (though property owners who neglect to collect this info cannot deny tenant status). The bill codifies existing court standards to ensure consistent application of residential eviction rules for qualifying long-term occupants.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3300) requires New Jersey public utilities to charge nonprofit organizations the residential utility rate - instead of the higher commercial rate - for services at their primary operating location, if the residential rate is lower. It directly affects nonprofits (defined as IRS 501(c)(3) groups or NJ nonprofit corporations) and public utilities like electricity, gas, or water providers. The key mechanism mandates utilities to establish a certification process (with the Board of Public Utilities) for nonprofits to verify their status and qualify for the lower rate. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1696 updates optometrists' scope of practice by expanding their ability to provide eye care services. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances under specific conditions), administer immunizations for coronaviruses, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and perform minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies or treating chalazions. It also permits certain non-invasive laser/ultrasound treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using only topical anesthesia, while explicitly prohibiting invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. These changes apply to all optometrists practicing in New Jersey and require adherence to CDC guidelines for immunizations and reporting to the state immunization registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1415) prohibits debt collectors from reviving time-barred consumer debt claims after the six-year statute of limitations expires. It specifically blocks the revival of claims based on subsequent payments, debt acknowledgments, or promises to pay made after the six-year filing deadline. The law applies to debts incurred for personal, family, or household purposes - including medical debt and consumer credit - as defined by existing New Jersey law. This directly affects consumers whose debts would otherwise be "renewed" through minor interactions with collectors after the legal deadline. The bill eliminates a legal loophole allowing debt collection to restart through actions like partial payments, which courts previously permitted under case law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a cap-and-invest program under New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from major polluters. It directly affects large facilities (like factories or power plants) that emit significant greenhouse gases, requiring them to purchase annual emissions allowances or use offset credits equal to their total emissions over a four-year compliance period. The program sets annual emission limits, creates a system for auctioning allowances, and allows entities to meet obligations through verified emission-reduction projects (offset credits). The DEP must report on implementation annually and develop specific compliance pathways for industries most impacted by the rules.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires employers and employment agencies to conduct annual independent audits of automated tools used for hiring, promotion, or employment decisions to identify potential bias. The audits must measure the tool’s impact on protected categories (like race, gender, age, and disability) by calculating selection rates and impact ratios, and provide actionable recommendations to address disparities. Employers cannot use these tools if they haven’t had a recent audit, and independent auditors must have no conflicts of interest with the employer or tool developer. The law directly affects job seekers and employees evaluated by such tools, aiming to ensure fairer employment practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most tobacco retailers (excluding cigar shops) to stock and sell at least one FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product, such as gum or patches, to help people quit smoking. Retailers can choose which specific NRT products to carry, how much to stock, and whether to offer multiple types, but must display these products behind the counter with clear signage and include the NJ Smoking Quitline contact information. If a retailer runs out of NRT products, they must order new stock within five business days and restock within 14 days. The law aims to increase access to smoking cessation tools at the point of tobacco purchase.