Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to review and incorporate recommendations from local environmental commissions when considering development applications. It directly affects these municipal boards and environmental commissions by changing how they interact during development reviews. Key mechanisms include mandating that boards provide environmental commissions with actual copies (not just informational copies) of all development applications, and requiring boards to consider and incorporate environmental recommendations into their decisions where possible. The bill updates existing law, which previously allowed boards to ignore environmental recommendations without consequence.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to cover transportation costs for eligible individuals attending support group meetings. It directly affects residents of New Jersey who have survived traumatic brain injuries and need transportation to access these meetings, which are defined as gatherings focused on sharing information and improving well-being related to their injuries. The fund will now pay for transportation to these meetings as part of its existing purpose, alongside existing coverage for medical appointments and treatment. This change builds on the current fund structure, which already provides up to $100,000 per person annually for transportation and other support services when other resources are unavailable.
Maddy summaryS 500 expands New Jersey's Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide higher funding and broader support for eligible nonprofits at high risk of attacks. It increases maximum grants to $50,000 for security personnel or training/planning and $150,000 for target-hardening equipment (up from $10,000 and $50,000). The bill requires the Office of Homeland Security to annually request $10 million in state funding (up from $2 million) and prioritizes organizations that haven’t received similar federal grants recently. The program directly supports nonprofits - primarily religious groups - by covering security personnel costs, training, and physical security upgrades within New Jersey. Grants cannot fund security needs outside the state or for travel.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2236 establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Children within the Attorney General's office (though operating autonomously). The ombudsman will directly support children at risk of abuse/neglect, those in foster care, and youth under state supervision by investigating systemic issues, monitoring child welfare services, and ensuring agencies comply with standards. Key mechanisms include accessing child welfare records, inspecting facilities like group homes and shelters, issuing subpoenas for investigations, and operating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office will report findings to the Governor and Legislature to improve coordination and address gaps in child welfare services across state agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault law (N.J.S.2C:12-1) to expand protections for emergency medical personnel. It adds "any person engaged in emergency first-aid or medical services" to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault charges (subsection b(5)(c)). The change makes it a more serious offense to assault someone providing emergency medical care while they are clearly performing their duties. This applies specifically to responders like EMTs or paramedics, not to disabled victims as the title incorrectly states. The bill is currently in the early legislative stage (introduced January 13, 2026).
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 New Jersey bill (S 489) creates a new criminal offense called "victimization of a senior citizen or person with a disability" when someone commits certain crimes (like assault or theft) against these individuals. It directly affects seniors (62+ years) and people with medically determined disabilities that substantially limit their ability to resist. The key mechanism requires that this new offense be charged separately from the underlying crime, with sentencing one degree higher (e.g., a third-degree crime becomes a second-degree crime for the victimization charge), and mandates separate sentences for both offenses. The bill defines "senior citizen" as 62+ and "person with a disability" as someone with a pre-existing impairment making them substantially unable to resist.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures pediatric NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries transitioning from the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program to the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program automatically retain their previous weekly private duty nursing hours and can carry forward unused hours. It requires managed care organizations to justify any reduction in nursing hours solely based on changed medical need (not other factors) and mandates that benefits continue during appeals for 30 days after an adverse decision. The bill also directs the state to review past transitions (within 5 years) to identify beneficiaries eligible for increased nursing hours and expands appeal protections by extending the appeal window from 10 to 30 days. These changes aim to prevent coverage gaps and streamline access to necessary nursing services during program transitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction contractors to pay fees under the State Uniform Construction Code using electronic methods, such as credit cards or online transfers, when entering into contracts. It also mandates that local governments (like cities and counties) establish a system for accepting these electronic payments by passing a resolution. The bill applies specifically to fees required by the State Uniform Construction Code Act. Local units must set up the payment system for construction code fees but cannot use credit cards for overdue payments or liens.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to order drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents to provide financial support for minor children when the deceased was their parent or guardian. Specifically, it amends New Jersey's vehicular homicide law to mandate that offenders convicted of reckless driving while violating DUI laws (R.S.39:4-50) pay restitution for affected children. The provision applies only when the victim was a parent or guardian of a minor child at the time of death. Courts must include this financial obligation as part of sentencing, in addition to other restitution orders. The bill does not change DUI penalties but adds a specific requirement for child support in these cases.