Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the New Jersey Transit Corporation create a written nondiscrimination policy that aligns with federal and state laws against employment discrimination and harassment. The policy must be distributed to all current employees within 60 days of the bill's effective date and to new hires within five days of starting their jobs. Each employee is required to sign a written acknowledgment of receiving the policy, and the corporation must provide annual training on these nondiscrimination standards to all staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation to review and prioritize the creation of park-and-ride lots near large warehouse facilities, defined as buildings of at least 100,000 square feet used for storing goods. The legislation aims to reduce traffic congestion on local roads by ensuring these parking areas connect to public transit or carpooling options for workers. If a review finds no existing solutions to ease commuter traffic, the Commissioner of Transportation must establish new facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature every two years detailing the number and locations of available and newly created park-and-ride spots.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May as "Pet Appreciation Month" and the third full week of May as "Pet Adoption Week" throughout New Jersey. The resolution directly affects residents, pet owners, and animal shelters by encouraging public recognition of pets and promoting adoption efforts during the specified period. It relies on the Governor to issue an annual proclamation inviting citizens and officials to observe these designations with related programs and activities. The measure does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about pet ownership benefits and the need for animal shelter support.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the harassment or capture of specific animals, such as bobcats, raccoons, and squirrels, during competitive events where participants are rewarded for taking wildlife. It also bans individuals from organizing or participating in such events if they involve harming these animals, with the only exception being licensed field trials. Violators face criminal charges and a five-year suspension of their hunting licenses and wildlife possession privileges. Additionally, the law mandates that any injured animals be treated by professionals and requires the state to take ownership of remains from illegal events. Law enforcement agencies and wildlife officials are authorized to enforce these new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows visiting advanced practice nurses who are not currently certified in New Jersey to prescribe certain medications and devices if they meet specific educational requirements. The law aims to expand prescribing authority for these out-of-state professionals under limited conditions without requiring them to obtain full New Jersey licensure. By amending existing nursing statutes, the legislation clarifies the scope of practice for visiting nurses while maintaining oversight through educational qualifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in New Jersey who have a driver's license marked for hearing impairment to apply for a free windshield placard featuring the international symbol of the deaf. The placard must be displayed on the vehicle as directed by the Motor Vehicle Commission and does not grant access to parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities unless the driver also holds a separate placard for that specific benefit. By removing the fee for this specific placard, the legislation expands the ability of hearing-impaired drivers to obtain official identification for their vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey civil service rules to allow police departments to hire or promote law enforcement officers from a list of the top five eligible candidates, rather than the current requirement to choose from only the top three. Under the new provision, the Civil Service Commission would certify five ranked applicants for police positions, while other government agencies would continue to follow the existing "rule of three." The change applies specifically to open competitive or promotional lists for law enforcement officer titles within political subdivisions of the state.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign focused on Alzheimer's disease. The program would educate the general public on symptoms and early detection while providing specialized training for law enforcement, firefighters, and social workers to better assist affected individuals. Additionally, the department must publish easy-to-understand information about the disease in both English and Spanish on its website. The initiative relies on available state funds and may accept external grants or services to support its efforts.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits the farming of fur-bearing animals, including fox, rabbit, mink, and muskrat, by making it illegal to breed, raise, produce, or market them for fur. The law explicitly excludes pets, domestic companions, and service animals from this ban, ensuring they can still be bred and sold. Additionally, the bill removes fur-bearing animals from the state's list of agricultural products and excludes them from definitions of land used for farming purposes in tax and zoning regulations. Violations of the ban are classified as disorderly persons offenses, while existing laws regarding the release or importation of these animals remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to organize monthly seminars, either in person or online, to educate customers about electric power and gas suppliers. The legislation also mandates that utility companies provide a one-page contract summary in both English and Spanish that clearly explains pricing, contract terms, and the risks of unauthorized provider switching. Additionally, the bill establishes new rules to prevent discrimination in customer acceptance, standardizes advertising costs to avoid hidden fees, and ensures that credit requirements are applied equally to all residential accounts. These changes directly affect residential and small commercial energy customers by increasing transparency and protecting them from unfair marketing practices.