Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A3725 establishes a 11-member State Seal Task Force to review the state seal's design. The task force, appointed within 45 days, includes five public members (at least two high school students under 18 with parental consent), state officials, and representatives from historical and tourism agencies. It must study the seal's history, compare 1777 demographics with current New Jersey, assess inclusiveness, and evaluate redesign options over 18 months. The group will report findings and recommendations to the legislature and governor, with the task force dissolving after submitting its final report. The bill aims to determine if the 1777-era seal accurately reflects modern New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers working at public safety answering points (PSAPs) in New Jersey to obtain certification through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) in both Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) and Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD). It mandates this certification in addition to any existing training or certification requirements set by the Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services. The requirement takes effect 13 months after the bill becomes law, allowing time for implementation. This policy directly affects PSAP staff who handle emergency calls, aiming to standardize emergency response training across the state.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates October 31st of each year as "Juliette Gordon Low Day" in New Jersey. It honors Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, whose birthday falls on October 31, 1912. The resolution requests the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through appropriate activities. It has no legal effect beyond recognizing her legacy and the Girl Scouts' mission to develop leadership in girls.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permit New Jersey municipalities with volunteer fire departments to establish restricted parking spaces in front of volunteer firefighters' homes. Municipalities would issue permits identifying a specific vehicle and parking location, requiring the permit to be displayed prominently in the vehicle when parked. These parking spaces could only be created if they wouldn't interfere with normal traffic flow. The bill amends traffic control laws to add this provision for volunteer firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey resolution urges Congress to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to clarify that it does not block enforcement of state and federal laws against child sexual exploitation. It specifically proposes adding language to Section 230(e)(1) stating the law shouldn’t impair enforcement of Title 18 provisions on child exploitation (Section 110), obscenity (Section 223), and related criminal statutes. The amendment would help state prosecutors, as current Section 230 immunity has blocked enforcement of laws like New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Act, which criminalizes online advertising of child sexual abuse. This follows court rulings invalidating similar state laws under Section 230.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August as "Radon Awareness Month" and August 2 as "Radon Action Day" in New Jersey. It encourages residents to test homes for radon - a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer - following existing recommendations from the New Jersey DEP and U.S. Surgeon General. The resolution does not create new regulations or requirements but promotes awareness through annual proclamations by the Governor. It focuses on public education about radon testing and mitigation, which the DEP already advises for homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Regulatory Improvement Commission within New Jersey's Department of State to evaluate state regulations and recommend changes. The nine-member commission (appointed by the Governor, Senate leaders, and Assembly leaders) will prioritize regulations that impose high costs on small businesses, create excessive paperwork, or could be made more effective while reducing costs. It will gather public input through a 120-day comment period and focus groups, then develop specific recommendations for modifying, consolidating, or repealing regulations. The commission must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within 365 days of its first meeting, with the commission dissolving 30 days after submission. The goal is to reduce compliance costs, encourage economic growth, and improve competitiveness while maintaining public health and safety protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey crime victims' rights by clarifying two key provisions. First, it allows courts to permit non-victims (such as close family members, teachers, or coaches in homicide cases) to make in-person impact statements at sentencing, standardizing current inconsistent court practices. Second, it ensures victims can attend specific post-conviction hearings involving sex offenders (like registration reviews or risk assessments) and insanity acquittal commitments, though courts may exclude victims to protect offenders' privacy. The bill does not create new rights but clarifies existing ones under current law, applying to all crime victims and their designated representatives in these scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that evidence collected during a sexual assault medical exam, such as DNA samples, be preserved for 10 years from the date of collection. If the victim was a minor at the time of the assault, the evidence must be kept for 10 years after they turn 18. Custodians - including law enforcement, prosecutors, and healthcare facilities - must notify victims within 30 days of evidence collection that it may be destroyed after 10 years and make additional efforts to contact them more than 30 days before disposal. The county prosecutor may authorize destruction after 10 years, but the state can take custody to continue preserving the evidence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3752) expands eligibility for New Jersey's "Combat Infantryman Badge" license plate to include veterans who hold a Combat Action Ribbon, certified by their military discharge documents (DD-214 or Certificate of Release). Currently, the plate is only available to those with a Combat Infantryman Badge, excluding Marines who receive Combat Action Ribbons instead. The bill amends state law to allow applicants with either the badge or ribbon to obtain the special plate for a $15 fee, with surviving spouses retaining the plates if the veteran spouse passed away. It directly affects eligible veterans and their families by providing a new option for vehicle registration plates recognizing military service.