Sen. Declan O'Scanlon

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create and operate a single online portal where educators can submit one application for multiple public school districts across the state. The portal must be fully functional within 90 days of the bill's effective date, aiming to streamline job applications by reducing duplicate submissions. It mandates that the system prioritize educator-school connections, enhance job opportunity information sharing, and maintain strict data privacy and security standards. School districts retain the option to use their own application processes or request additional materials beyond the common portal.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow certain health care practitioners to refer patients to pharmacies where they, their immediate family, or both have a significant financial interest - specifically for pharmacies that received permit approval before the effective date of the original law (P.L.1989, c.19). Practitioners must disclose this financial interest to patients in writing and post the disclosure form in their office. It directly affects practitioners who owned or co-owned pharmacies prior to 1989, enabling continued referrals to those pharmacies under strict disclosure rules. The change does not alter existing prohibitions on referrals for other services or create new financial incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $20 million for Summer Tuition Aid Grants in New Jersey's fiscal year 2025, specifically to fund summer 2025 semester aid. It directly affects eligible New Jersey college students who received tuition aid in the prior fall or spring semester, are enrolled in at least six credits during summer 2025, and continue in the same undergraduate program. The key provision requires that these students receive 75 percent of the maximum grant amount for which they qualify under current law (instead of the current 50% for 6-8 credits). The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to administer these grants for the summer 2025 term.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's small employer health benefits plans to include volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders (like first aid, rescue, or ambulance squad members) who serve their municipalities. It directly affects these volunteer emergency personnel by allowing them to enroll in the same group health insurance plans available to full-time municipal employees. The key change updates the definition of "eligible employee" in existing law to specifically include these volunteers, removing barriers they previously faced. This ensures they can access affordable health coverage through their municipal employer's plan, similar to paid municipal staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that the penalty statement for false or fraudulent voter registration be displayed on electronic signature pads at New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission locations. Currently, paper voter registration forms include a statement about penalties, which include fines up to $15,000, imprisonment up to five years, or both. The bill ensures this penalty information is provided to voters using electronic signature pads when registering to vote or updating registration during driver's license or ID card transactions. It applies to anyone registering to vote through Motor Vehicle Commission services, maintaining consistency between paper and electronic registration processes.

Maddy summaryS 3555 requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a year-long study on the "zipper merge" method for use on state roadways during construction or infrastructure projects that close lanes. The study must examine how alternating lane usage at merge points (where two lanes combine into one) affects traffic congestion, safety, and accident rates, while reviewing existing research from other states and identifying necessary signage or infrastructure changes. If the study finds the method effective, the DOT would then develop an implementation plan. The bill mandates a final report to the Governor and Legislature within six months of the study's completion.

Maddy summaryS 1017 (now P.L.2024, c.59) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to notify sexual assault victims about key developments in their criminal cases, specifically regarding DNA evidence. Victims have the right to be informed whether DNA from the assault was collected, entered into forensic databases, or matched to a suspect’s DNA (with exceptions if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation). Victims can request written or email updates about evidence processing status, and agencies must provide this information in a timely manner upon request. This law directly affects sexual assault victims in New Jersey by ensuring they receive specific, actionable updates about their case evidence under the state’s crime victim rights framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide up to $7,198,045 in low-interest loans for six specific hazard mitigation and resilience projects across six local governments (including Jersey City, Hoboken, and Bergen County). The loans, part of the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP), will finance projects like flood mitigation at pump stations and park resilience improvements to reduce climate-related risks. The bank may use interest from repayments and loan origination fees to fund these projects and cover operational costs, with all loans requiring repayment within 30 years. The authorization is specific to fiscal year 2025 and expires on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum respite care service hours available to eligible families in New Jersey. It allows families caring for children with functional impairments to access up to 90 hours of respite care (temporary relief for caregivers) over a 90-day period, funded through the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Respite care can be provided by either an agency-hired worker (paid through DCF contracts) or a self-hired worker (paid directly by the family). The Commissioner of Children and Families must use existing state and federal funds to implement this change, without altering eligibility criteria.