Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2652 revises laws to better protect children from sexual exploitation. It creates a civil right for victims (or their guardians/advocacy groups) to sue perpetrators for three times the profits gained from distributing child sexual abuse material, holding both individuals and corporate employees personally liable. The bill also expands sex offender registration requirements to include anyone working with children in schools or jobs for over 14 consecutive days, clarifies which offenses trigger registration (like creating or sharing exploitative material), and adds a limited exception for juvenile-created nude photos under strict conditions. These changes directly affect victims of child exploitation, perpetrators, and institutions that facilitate such abuse. The law passed unanimously in 2024 (P.L.2024, c.92).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers, making it a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs (previously a third-degree crime). It expands protection to include firefighters and emergency medical personnel who are assaulted while performing their duties. The bill requires offenders to provide a blood or biological sample for testing for communicable diseases, with any positive results shared with the victim. It also prohibits plea bargains for assault on law enforcement officers and prevents convictions from merging with other offenses. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThe "Medicaid Transportation Brokerage Program Oversight and Accountability Act" establishes vehicle, staffing, and performance standards for New Jersey's non-emergency medical transportation program that serves Medicaid beneficiaries. It requires transportation providers to maintain properly registered and inspected vehicles (with specific mileage limits), ensure staff are trained and licensed, and provide transportation within 15 minutes of scheduled pick-up times. The Department of Human Services must designate an evaluator to monitor the program, review complaints, conduct annual performance evaluations of transportation brokers and providers, and impose liquidated damages for non-compliance. The bill also mandates detailed documentation of transportation services, including trip timing and vehicle information, and requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on program performance and compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to State workers in Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided essential frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by State agencies in consultation with the union president, with each eligible employee receiving a direct bonus payment. It specifically targets workers who maintained critical state operations amid pandemic challenges. The appropriation is supplemental to existing 2024-2025 funding and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public high schools (enrolling grades 9-12) to display a specific human trafficking awareness sign in a clearly visible location. The sign, developed by the Commission on Human Trafficking under existing law, must be at least 8.5x11 inches, in 16-point font, and bilingual (English/Spanish), featuring the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline. The requirement applies to all schools in the specified grade range and must be displayed for employees, students, and parents/guardians. This is a direct policy change mandating the physical display of existing awareness materials, not creating new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits distributing intentionally deceptive audio or visual media (such as deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if the intent is to deceive voters about a candidate or election. It criminalizes such distribution as a disorderly person offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The prohibition does not apply if the media includes a clear, visible disclosure (e.g., "This advertisement contains manipulated images or sound") that remains readable throughout video or audible at the start of audio. Registered voters and candidates can seek court injunctions or sue for damages in violation cases. News organizations publishing such media for newsworthy purposes with the required disclosure are exempt from the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Board of Paramedicine to regulate paramedicine professionals including mobile intensive care paramedics, emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care nurses, flight paramedics, and flight nurses. The board will consist of 15 members with specific representation from the regulated professions and medical specialists, and will establish standards for licensure, competency evaluation, and continuing education. The bill also establishes a Board of Paramedicine Fund to support the board's operations, training programs, and research related to paramedicine, while repealing previous regulations governing these professions. The board will maintain a registry of licensed professionals, conduct investigations, and develop guidelines for emergency medical services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from collecting immigration status information unless strictly necessary for service eligibility and from assisting federal immigration authorities. It requires government entities to adopt policies protecting sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and shelters from immigration enforcement activities, ensuring immigrants can access public services without fear. The law mandates law enforcement training on these restrictions, prohibits detaining individuals based on immigration status, and requires annual reporting on interactions with federal immigration authorities. It also establishes a public awareness campaign to inform immigrants of their rights under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8,000,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to Monmouth County's Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The funds are specifically designated to help purchase the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, New Jersey, for permanent preservation. The bill directly affects Monmouth County by enabling the acquisition of this farmland, preventing its development into a warehouse site. The key mechanism is a supplemental funding allocation added to the existing 2025 state budget, targeting the $25 million purchase price. This action preserves the historic property (a Revolutionary War site) and prevents proposed warehouse construction that local residents opposed.