Sen. Jim Holzapfel

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement to place underage individuals (under 18) who illegally possess alcohol or cannabis into temporary custody on a first offense, then notify their parent or guardian. For subsequent violations (second or third), it mandates written warnings for all ages, with parents notified for minors and referrals to community services (like counseling) for both the minor and their guardian. It specifies that refusing these services won’t result in legal penalties. The law applies directly to minors caught violating underage alcohol/cannabis possession rules in public places, schools, or vehicles. It does not impose fines, jail time, or court action for non-compliance with service referrals.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1139 ("Parents Bill of Rights Act"), grants parents and guardians in New Jersey public schools a fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow review of classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permit opting a child out of any curriculum conflicting with their moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students in New Jersey public schools and mandates specific transparency and choice mechanisms for curriculum access.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows honorably discharged veterans in New Jersey to obtain special license plates displaying "Veteran" and their military branch insignia. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (like a DD-214) and pay a $15 fee on top of standard registration costs. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans may continue using the plates on their vehicles. The plates are designed by the Adjutant General in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the commission will notify drivers about the option during registration renewals.

Maddy summaryS 133 requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to maintain and display a publicly accessible list of all registered ticket brokers on its website. This bill directly affects ticket brokers who must register with the Division and consumers who can verify brokers' registration status online. The key provision amends existing law to mandate that the Division update and post this list, ensuring transparency in the ticket brokerage industry. The bill does not change registration requirements for brokers but makes their registration status publicly visible.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create a website where voters can report problems with mail-in ballots they receive, such as ballots sent to deceased or non-resident voters. Voters would submit their contact details and describe issues through a simple form, which automatically forwards to county election officials for investigation. The bill also establishes a 9-member "Vote by Mail Study Commission" to investigate mail-in ballot integrity, including voter roll accuracy and ballot delivery procedures, with public hearings across the state. The commission must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, while the Secretary of State will annually report aggregated data from the website to lawmakers.

Maddy summaryS 434 prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops and their customers. It repeals the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act" and requires pet shops to collaborate with animal shelters, rescues, and pounds to facilitate adoptions instead of selling animals. The bill defines "pet shop" separately from breeders and pet dealers, ensuring the law does not restrict responsible breeders or other sellers, but bans pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers for sale. The legislation aims to reduce sales of animals from puppy mills and increase adoptions from shelters, which the bill cites as having "unadopted" animals available.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 148 authorizes a special license plate to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Vehicle owners in New Jersey can apply for the plate by paying a $50 fee, with an annual $10 renewal fee until January 1, 2028. Proceeds from these fees fund the preservation of Revolutionary War sites through a dedicated state fund. The plate must be displayed on the front of a vehicle and expires permanently after 2028.

Maddy summaryS 110 creates legal immunity for New Jersey businesses against lawsuits claiming injury from COVID-19 exposure on their premises or during their operations. This protection applies to all businesses covered under the bill’s definition of "employer" (including corporations, partnerships, and groups managing activities), but excludes cases involving reckless or intentional harm. The law adds this immunity to existing state and federal protections, meaning businesses cannot be sued for accidental exposure-related claims unless they acted recklessly or intentionally.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of urea specifically for melting or preventing ice/snow on outdoor surfaces (e.g., sidewalks, driveways). It defines "urea" as fertilizer-based products used for de-icing but explicitly allows urea’s continued use in other applications like agriculture. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforceable by the Department of Environmental Protection or local agencies. The bill does not restrict urea’s use in any other contexts, such as fertilizer, and excludes rock salt from its provisions.