Sen. Jim Holzapfel

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Barnegat Bay Protection Fund to support conservation efforts in New Jersey's Barnegat Bay estuary watershed. It directly affects residents and businesses in Ocean and Monmouth Counties (home to over 500,000 people) by dedicating 1% of fertilizer sales tax revenue, establishing "Protect Barnegat Bay" license plates with a $50 initial fee and $10 annual fee, and collecting donations at boat registrations, vessel renewals, and beach access points. Funds will be used exclusively for watershed preservation, remediation, and public education campaigns. The fund is managed by the State Treasurer with input from the Environmental Protection Department, and annual reports will detail fund sources and uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 902) would allow New Jersey to enter a federal agreement enabling designated corrections officers to check an inmate’s immigration status *at the time of incarceration*. Specifically, these trained officers would investigate whether an inmate is a lawful U.S. resident and report findings to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if the inmate’s presence is unauthorized under federal law. The agreement would outline required training, reporting protocols, and federal funding for the program. It directly affects inmates in New Jersey state and county correctional facilities and designated corrections officers who volunteer for this role.

Maddy summaryS 119 requires New Jersey to pay "just compensation" to businesses ordered to partially or completely close due to public health emergency orders (e.g., pandemic-related closures). Business owners may claim lost income during/after closure or loss of their business if forced to shut down permanently, but must prove the loss directly resulted from the emergency and provide evidence of the compensation amount. Claims must be filed within one year of the emergency order ending, and the law applies to emergencies declared on or after January 1, 2020. The bill shifts the burden of proof to the business owner and does not create new emergency powers.

Maddy summaryS 1968 requires New Jersey public schools to obtain written parental consent before students can participate in health, family life, or sex education programs. Parents gain access to all curriculum materials (including videos) through school online portals and in-person reviews during office hours. School districts must also post summaries of these programs on their websites to help parents understand the content. This replaces current law, which only allowed students to be excused for religious/moral conflicts without requiring prior consent.

Maddy summaryS 352, the "Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act," requires manufacturers and sellers of Internet-connected devices (like tablets or smart TVs) to include digital blocking technology that automatically restricts access to obscene material, child pornography, revenge pornography, and websites linked to human trafficking or prostitution. For devices sold to minors, the blocking must be active by default; adults can deactivate it by paying a $20 fee, and companies may pay a $20 opt-out fee per device instead. Companies must also establish a reporting system for users to flag wrongly blocked or unblocked content and fix such issues within five business days. Fees collected from consumers or companies will fund the state’s Commission on Human Trafficking, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense.

Maddy summaryS 2375 requires mental health practitioners licensed in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete four hours of approved suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete this training before licensure, and all licensed practitioners must renew it every six years. Existing practitioners must complete the initial training within one year of the law's effective date. The Division of Consumer Affairs will maintain a list of approved training programs, which must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings. This bill directly affects all 9 licensed mental health practitioner categories under Title 45 of New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 77) expands New Jersey's stalking protection law to allow **any alleged victim of stalking**, regardless of age or mental capacity, to directly apply for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the alleged stalker. Currently, only specific groups (children under 18, developmentally disabled individuals, or adults with mental disabilities that impair understanding) could have a parent or guardian file for a TRO. The bill removes this limitation, enabling all victims to seek emergency TROs without waiting for a criminal conviction, with a court hearing required within 10 days to determine if the order should continue. The standard for continuing the TRO is a "preponderance of evidence," not criminal guilt, and the order remains in effect until the defendant is convicted or the victim requests dismissal.

Maddy summaryS 113 establishes the Jersey Shore Safety and Economy Task Force to develop safety protocols for tourism-dependent businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth counties during the pandemic. The task force, composed of 14 members including health officials, tourism representatives, and business stakeholders, must create guidance on safe reopening (including social distancing), assess economic impacts on businesses, and evaluate effects on virus spread. It is required to submit a report within 30 days of the bill's passage. The task force will operate without pay for members but with expense reimbursement, and the bill expires upon report submission.

Maddy summaryS 2797 would have required New Jersey public school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a goal of achieving legible cursive writing proficiency by the end of third grade. The bill mandated incorporating specific activities and materials into the curriculum to develop students' ability to read and write cursive, citing research linking cursive instruction to improved cognitive, motor, and literacy skills - particularly for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted through P.L.2025, c.284.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for New Jersey disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability impairing their ability to walk. Eligible veterans (certified by the VA and verified by a licensed physician) must pay a $15 fee and display the plate to park in disability-reserved spaces without needing separate disability placards. The plates, marked "Disabled Veteran" and featuring a wheelchair symbol, are non-transferable and require valid display while parked. Misuse of the plate can result in revocation of the plate and associated privileges.