Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryAJR 133 designates May of each year as Military Spouse Appreciation Month in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities honoring military spouses. It directly affects military spouses residing in New Jersey, recognizing their contributions to supporting service members and military families. The bill creates no new programs or funding, solely establishing an annual observance period.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) program to provide payments to dependents of victims who died from drug-induced deaths under strict liability laws. It adds "strict liability for drug-induced deaths" as a qualifying offense, allowing the VCCO to order compensation when a defendant has been charged for the drug-related death under the existing statute (P.L.1987, c.106). The bill does not change the strict liability law itself but extends compensation eligibility to these specific cases. Dependents of victims in such situations can now access financial assistance through the VCCO program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4228) requires the New Jersey State to reimburse school districts for the costs of transporting homeless students to school. Currently, the student's district of residence pays these transportation costs, but this bill shifts that responsibility to the state. It amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.290 and P.L.2015, c.228) to specify that the State must reimburse districts for transportation provided to homeless students. The change directly affects all school districts in New Jersey that transport homeless students, ensuring they are financially supported for this cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey residential psychiatric and long-term care facilities to provide residents with a quarterly written account of their funds, including itemized transactions and receipts. The account must show beginning and ending balances, list all deposits and withdrawals, and be given to the resident, their guardian, next-of-kin, and any person the resident designates. The bill amends existing law to add this financial transparency requirement as a specific resident right under state regulations. It applies to all facilities licensed for assisted living and comprehensive personal care under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits food delivery drivers from using electronic smoking devices (like e-cigarettes or vapes) or tobacco products (such as cigarettes or cigars) while delivering, handling, or transporting food to customers. It applies directly to drivers employed by restaurants, grocery stores, delivery services, or similar businesses during active delivery tasks. Violators face escalating civil penalties: $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third or subsequent violations, collected by municipal courts. The penalties fund municipal general funds, not state revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects $45 million in state funding for opioid-related hospital care from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to the General Fund. The funds must be distributed to four specific hospitals - $10 million to Hackensack, $15 million to RWJ Barnabas, $15 million to Cooper, and $5 million to Atlantic Health - for providing treatment to opioid-related health issues. Each hospital must submit quarterly reports to the state health commissioner detailing how funds were used, the number of patients served, outcomes data, and remaining balances. The bill repeals an existing provision (P.L.2025, c.74, section 111) that previously allocated these funds from the Opioid Recovery Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4195) ensures that law enforcement officers appointed by educational institutions, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and the Burlington County Bridge Commission receive the same statutory rights and privileges as municipal police officers. It amends existing laws to explicitly grant these officers access to benefits like legal protections, pension eligibility, and other standard officer entitlements under New Jersey law. The key provision requires these specialized officers to be treated identically to city or town police in terms of statutory rights, without altering their duties or authority. This applies to all such officers currently employed or appointed under the referenced laws.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 115) urges Congress to pass the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. Currently, federal law forces surviving spouses of military members who died of service-connected causes to forfeit part or all of their Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity when receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA - losing $1 in SBP for every $1 in DIC. The pending federal bill would end this offset for survivors under 60, prevent repayment of previously withheld benefits, and ensure payments to dependent children when no spouse is eligible. It directly affects military survivors whose spouses died on active duty or from service-connected causes, particularly those whose deaths occurred before 2001.

Maddy summaryThis bill, designated as Claudia's Law, requires healthcare providers to include specific information in patient chest x-ray reports when an abnormality is detected. It mandates that patients receive a standardized notification stating: "Your chest x-ray shows an abnormality that may be associated with a risk factor for various illnesses. Use this information to talk to your health care provider..." This directly affects patients receiving chest x-ray results with abnormalities. The law aims to prompt patients to discuss findings with their healthcare providers about potential risks and additional screening, without altering medical protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that encouraging someone to cause bodily injury - including by filming, photographing, or recording the act - is a criminal offense under New Jersey's "endangering an injured victim" law. It directly affects individuals who record violent acts without intervening or seeking help for the victim. The key change explicitly adds filming or recording as a form of "encouragement" that constitutes the crime, which was previously unclear. The offense remains a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison or a $15,000 fine, without merging with convictions for the underlying assault.