Maddy summaryS 71 ensures religious organizations in New Jersey can continue holding in-person services during Governor-issued state or public health emergencies. The bill prohibits emergency declarations from restricting worship gatherings, travel to places of worship, or imposing penalties on religious institutions for exercising faith. However, it requires religious groups to follow the same health, safety, and occupancy rules applied to all essential businesses during emergencies. This directly affects religious congregations, leaders, and members seeking to maintain in-person worship during crises like pandemics or natural disasters. The bill does not override standard public health requirements but explicitly protects religious assembly rights under emergency declarations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires new planned real estate developments in New Jersey to install emergency power systems in common areas like clubhouses, ensuring these spaces can function as shelters during extended power outages. It directly affects developers of new planned communities, mandating these systems meet specific safety standards (aligned with NFPA-110) for reliability and capacity. The bill also provides tax incentives: developers can deduct up to $10,000 of the system cost as an expense (not capital cost) and receive a rebate for sales tax paid on the equipment. These provisions aim to enhance community safety during emergencies while reducing financial burdens on developers through tax relief. (Note: Bill is pending, introduced January 13, 2026.)
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 903 requires state law enforcement officers (specifically the chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police) to notify federal immigration authorities when a non-citizen applies for a firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit. This bill amends existing state law by adding a new notification obligation for these specific applications, directly affecting non-citizen residents seeking to purchase or possess firearms. The requirement applies during the standard background check process for firearm permits, where retailers already submit background check information to the State Police. The bill does not change eligibility criteria for permits but mandates an additional reporting step to federal immigration authorities for non-citizen applicants.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 189) amends New Jersey law to allow the state's Transportation Research Bureau to award research contracts to private colleges/universities and other eligible entities (like non-profits), not just public institutions. It requires the bureau to determine if such contracts serve the public interest and follow standard public bidding rules. The bill also mandates that all research funded under these contracts must consider transportation needs of residents with disabilities. It defines "entities" to include non-profits but excludes municipal planning organizations. The bill does not create new funding but changes how research contracts are awarded for transportation projects.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 94) allows defendants in real estate civil cases to seek a final court dismissal ("with prejudice") if the plaintiff fails to diligently prosecute the case after a prior legal notice (lis pendens) was removed. Specifically, if the lis pendens was discharged because the plaintiff didn’t pursue the case or couldn’t prove a likely win, and the plaintiff still fails to act for six months after that discharge, the defendant can request dismissal. This applies to all new cases filed after the law takes effect and to ongoing cases not yet decided. The goal is to help property owners quickly end meritless lawsuits threatening their property.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 318) criminalizes three specific acts related to vacant dwellings: forcibly entering without permission to take residence ("housebreaking"), occupying without permission ("unlawful occupancy"), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction ("unlawful reentry"). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they have a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. It directly affects property owners seeking to evict unauthorized occupants and occupants in vacant properties without documented authorization.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school with a library to post a comprehensive, publicly accessible online list of all library resources - including books, DVDs, periodicals, and digital databases - on its school website. Schools must add new resources to the list within 10 days of purchase. The school library media specialist (or the principal if no specialist exists) is responsible for maintaining and updating this list. The law applies directly to public school districts operating libraries and takes effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying senior citizens, blind individuals, and disabled persons from paying the general purpose fee and the state portion of the basic real estate transfer fee when selling their own one- or two-family home. It applies only if the seller (not the buyer) meets the qualifying status, owns and occupies the property, and the home is not jointly owned with someone who doesn't qualify. The exemption does not apply to properties selling for over $1 million (which are subject to a separate 1% fee), and it covers specific transfer fees under New Jersey's realty transfer tax system. This change directly affects low- to moderate-income senior, blind, or disabled homeowners selling their primary residence.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey from requiring students to wear face masks indoors or outdoors on school grounds, or while riding school buses. It directly affects all K-12 students attending these schools by eliminating mandatory mask policies. The law allows students to voluntarily wear masks if they choose, but does not require schools to enforce mask-wearing. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.