Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Red Tape Review Task Force within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to review state regulations and identify unnecessarily burdensome requirements affecting businesses, non-profits, and other private entities. The task force, composed of nine state officials and legislators (including agency heads and legislative leaders), will work to streamline government interactions with these groups and promote economic growth. It must submit a written report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within three years of the bill's effective date, after which the task force will expire. The report will be advisory only and cannot be used for legal challenges against state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurers in New Jersey - including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and individual/group health plans - to cover comprehensive testing for suspected dyslexia. It mandates that insurers provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, and related neuropsychological examinations as part of standard medical benefits, without exclusion. The policy applies to all covered contracts issued, renewed, or executed in New Jersey on or after the effective date, ensuring coverage is provided "to the same extent as for any other condition." It directly affects individuals seeking dyslexia evaluations, including children and adults, by removing financial barriers to diagnostic testing.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5750) changes how fines for speeding violations under "Antwan's Law" are handled. It requires all tripled fines collected for violating the reduced speed limits in specific Route 130 zones in Burlington City to be paid directly into the local municipality's treasury. These funds must be used for law enforcement purposes, rather than the current system where half the fines go to the municipality for general use and half to the county for road projects. The bill specifically targets fines from Antwan's Law violations (which apply to certain stretches of Route 130 in Burlington City) and directs all such revenue to local police departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4652) creates a new offense for "inciting a public brawl" when someone purposefully organizes or promotes a group of four or more people to engage in disorderly conduct. It upgrades penalties for disrupting public gatherings or events, making such conduct a "disorderly persons offense" (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) instead of a lesser "petty disorderly persons offense." The bill also adds a provision penalizing people who conceal their identity during disorderly conduct to avoid arrest. These changes directly affect individuals organizing group disturbances or attempting to hide their identity at public events. The law amends New Jersey statutes N.J.S.2C:33-1 and N.J.S.2C:33-2.

Maddy summaryAJR 56 designates May of each year as "Older Americans Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to honor older residents' contributions and encourage community recognition of their ongoing value. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies, but formally recognizes older Americans' roles in society, including their workforce participation and community engagement. This ceremonial designation aligns with the national observance established since 1980.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents or guardians to file a guardianship complaint for a minor up to six months before the minor turns 18, establishing a clear timeframe for these filings. It ensures any guardianship order only takes effect on the minor's 18th birthday to prevent gaps in legal protection during the transition to adulthood. The bill also specifies that guardianship complaints cannot be withdrawn without evidence the minor has capacity or has died. This change aims to streamline the process for minors who will need guardianship upon reaching adulthood.

Maddy summaryAJR 45 designates June 23 of each year as "International Widows' Day" in New Jersey. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day through appropriate activities. The resolution highlights that nearly one million U.S. women become widowed annually, with 70% of married women experiencing widowhood in their lifetime, and many facing ongoing financial, legal, and health challenges. This is a symbolic designation without new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThe bill establishes a three-year pilot program for electronic monitoring of defendants charged with or convicted of sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, domestic violence crimes, or contempt of domestic violence orders in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties. Electronic monitoring would require victim consent and be ordered only after a court hearing considering risk factors using a standardized assessment tool. Defendants would pay an initial $250 fee and $50 per day (with waivers for financial hardship), with all funds going to the Electronic Monitoring and Crime Victim Notification Fund. The monitoring system would operate 24/7 and notify victims when offenders approach within specified distances (3 miles, 1 mile, and 1/2 mile). The bill appropriates $15 million total ($12 million for the monitoring program, $3 million for domestic violence victims).

Maddy summaryBill A5241 prohibits local governments (counties, municipalities, or other approving authorities) from approving site plans for large warehouses within 1,000 feet of a historic district. It defines a "large warehouse" as any storage facility of 100,000 square feet or more used for goods intended for sale or distribution, and a "historic district" as areas listed on both the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places (excluding waterway-designated districts). The law applies immediately to all pending construction permit applications that haven't yet been declared complete by the enforcing agency. This prevents new large warehouse developments near designated historic areas without requiring additional approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) for someone to enter the dwelling of a domestic violence victim protected by a restraining order against them, if they intend to cause harm or commit another crime. It creates a legal presumption that such intent exists if a restraining order is active or if the person has prior domestic violence charges or convictions involving the victim. This presumption prevents judges from imposing nonimprisonment sentences (like probation) for these offenses. The bill directly affects individuals who violate domestic violence restraining orders by trespassing in a victim's home.