Sen. Jim Holzapfel

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 109) caps license fees for sleep technologists in New Jersey. It sets a maximum fee of $150 for initial and renewal licenses for polysomnographic technologists and technicians, and $50 for trainees - reducing current fees (e.g., $500 for technologists). The bill amends existing law (P.L.2005, c.244) to establish these fee limits under Section 7. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySCR 61 creates a special 14-member committee (with balanced political representation) to investigate costs and decisions affecting New Jersey's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases in state health programs, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations of executive branch influence on Treasury staff regarding a $34 million contract, and implementation of a 2019 law establishing fund subaccounts and third-party reviews. It will gather evidence through hearings and subpoenas (with joint approval of co-chairs and leadership) and issue a report with findings and recommendations. The committee directly affects state health care program administration and the Department of the Treasury's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to use up to 30% of their municipal development fee trust funds - designated for affordable housing programs - to provide down payment assistance grants to first-time veteran homebuyers, with each veteran eligible for up to $15,000 per grant. The grants will not be counted as income for determining eligibility for other state benefits or for tax purposes. This policy change directs existing municipal funds toward supporting veterans in purchasing homes, supplementing other state housing assistance programs without creating new funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1126) requires immediate parole revocation for New Jersey parolees who assault or threaten law enforcement officers (or their family members) with the intent to cause imminent fear of death or physical harm. It directly affects parolees convicted of or arrested for such acts, mandating that the Parole Board detain them and begin revocation proceedings without waiting for a criminal conviction. Key provisions include: (1) applying to threats made to officers' spouses, parents, children, or other household relatives; (2) extending protection to retired officers based on their former status; and (3) requiring the threat to create a belief of immediate danger. The bill does not change existing parole revocation for other crimes but adds specific triggers for officer-related offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school funding formula to include the value of certain properties normally exempt from property taxes (like government-owned land) when calculating a school district's "equalized valuation." This change directly affects all public school districts receiving state aid, as it alters how the state determines each district's share of funding. The key mechanism updates the definition of "equalized valuation" to explicitly add exempt property values to the tax base used for aid calculations. As a result, districts with significant exempt properties may see adjustments in their state aid amounts based on this revised valuation method. The bill does not change the overall funding level but modifies the formula used to distribute existing state aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state officials, including the Commissioner of Health, from requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend public K-12 schools. It directly affects public school students and families by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. The key provision bans state government entities from making SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment or attendance in public primary or secondary schools. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, with no exceptions for school attendance requirements. It does not address other vaccination requirements or private school policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 108) allows minors aged 14-15 to work until 11 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. during the summer period from Memorial Day through October 1, with written permission from a parent or guardian. It specifically applies to retail settings like restaurants and supermarkets, as well as roles like little league umpires. The bill does not change total weekly work hours, prohibited occupations, or required rest periods for minors. Current law already permits 14-15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during this timeframe, so this amendment extends the evening window by two hours. It affects minor workers in seasonal retail and service jobs during summer months, with no broader policy changes to labor regulations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 121 bill changes the daily pay rate for jurors from $5 to $40 per day for all grand and petit jurors starting immediately. This replaces the current system, which paid $5 daily plus $35 for days beyond three, making $40 the base rate from the first day of service. The bill appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to cover the increased costs. It directly affects all citizens summoned for jury duty in New Jersey courts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1046, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes procedures for law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants charged with specific serious crimes. It applies to individuals not citizens, lawful residents, or authorized under certain federal programs (like DACA or asylum) who face charges including first-degree crimes, motor vehicle offenses causing injury, or federal aggravated felonies/crimes of violence. The bill requires officers to verify immigration status via DHS; if confirmed as unlawfully present, officers must comply with federal immigration detainers and prosecutors must seek pretrial detention, overriding state bail reform laws. The bill repeals prior state laws restricting immigration enforcement and ends the "Immigrant Trust Directive" that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers during encounters with underage individuals regarding alcohol or cannabis possession, unless the officer intentionally discriminated against the person based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Currently, officers faced criminal charges for certain enforcement actions (like improper stops or searches) regardless of discriminatory intent. The bill changes this by requiring proof of discriminatory purpose to impose criminal liability. It directly affects law enforcement officers and underage individuals in these specific situations. The policy change clarifies that routine enforcement actions without discriminatory intent will not result in criminal charges.