Sen. Declan O'Scanlon

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1676 requires doctors and nurse practitioners specializing in family medicine, obstetrics, or gynecology to ask female patients with flu-like symptoms (such as fever or vomiting) about their menstrual cycle and recent tampon use during medical visits. Specifically, providers must inquire whether a patient has an active period or last had one, when they last used a tampon, and if symptoms began during or after tampon use. They must also inform patients about toxic shock syndrome (TSS) symptoms and offer TSS testing if symptoms align with tampon use during a menstrual cycle. This law directly affects female patients visiting these providers for flu-like illnesses and aims to improve early TSS detection.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 725) criminalizes squatting by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering vacant dwellings without permission to occupy), "unlawful occupancy" (taking up residence without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning to property after being evicted by court order). It presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they provide a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. The law affects individuals occupying vacant properties without owner consent, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. Currently, squatting isn't a criminal offense in New Jersey, requiring owners to seek court-ordered evictions instead.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1393, would allow registered medical cannabis patients in New Jersey to grow cannabis at home for their personal medical use. It specifically permits registered qualifying patients or their designated caregivers (who must be 18+, registered with the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and not currently serving as a caregiver for more than one patient) to cultivate cannabis in their residence. The law explicitly excludes commercial entities, as home cultivation would not apply to permit holders like dispensaries or clinical registrants. This change would amend existing medical cannabis laws to add a personal cultivation option while maintaining registration requirements and background checks for caregivers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1663) allows prosecutors to charge domestic violence or child endangerment offenses as one degree more serious during declared emergencies (national, state, or county). It directly affects cases where a criminal complaint is filed under existing laws for domestic violence (per N.J.S. 2C:25-19) or child endangerment (N.J.S. 2C:24-4) occurring while an emergency is active. The key mechanism gives prosecutors discretion to upgrade the classification of the underlying offense, not to create new crimes. This change would result in potentially harsher penalties for defendants convicted of these offenses during emergency periods.

Maddy summaryS 1679 creates a 10% price preference for qualified service-disabled veteran-owned businesses when bidding on New Jersey state contracts paid with public funds. It directly affects businesses owned and controlled by disabled veterans (certified by the VA with service-connected disabilities) that meet specific criteria: 51% veteran ownership, New Jersey-based operations, and veteran-controlled management. The preference means if such a business meets all contract requirements and becomes the lowest bidder after applying the 10% discount, the state must award them the contract. If multiple qualified businesses bid low, the one with the lowest actual bid wins. The bill defines "qualified disabled veterans’ business" and includes provisions for surviving spouses to maintain eligibility if a veteran owner dies during the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1648) expands New Jersey's wrongful imprisonment law to include people who were wrongfully convicted and later civilly committed as "sexually violent predators" under P.L.1998, c.71. It allows these individuals to sue the state for damages if they prove, with clear evidence, they didn’t commit the crime and didn’t cause their own conviction through perjury or evidence fabrication. Damages would be calculated as either twice their pre-incarceration income or $50,000 per year of imprisonment, plus $25,000 per year under state supervision, with a maximum $1 million cap. Claims must be filed within two years of release, pardon, or conviction vacating.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's legislature passed SCR 15 to request Congress call a state-led convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The convention would propose constitutional amendments to limit federal spending, reduce federal government power over states, and impose term limits on federal officials and members of Congress. This is a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until at least two-thirds of states join the same effort. The bill itself does not change laws but seeks to initiate a process for potential constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 58) provides property tax exemptions for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows veterans with a 30% or higher disability rating (including specific conditions like blindness, amputations, or paralysis) to receive a tax exemption proportional to their disability percentage, up to 100%. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions under defined conditions. Crucially, the bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions, ensuring local governments aren’t financially burdened. The policy directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying disabilities and their surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1668) updates New Jersey's definition of "veteran" to clarify who qualifies for civil service and pension benefits. It specifies that veterans must submit service evidence to the state's Veterans Affairs office within eight days before employment lists are issued, with automatic eligibility for those with service-connected injuries or disabilities (regardless of service duration). The changes affect veterans of multiple conflicts, including World War I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and specific peacekeeping missions (e.g., Lebanon, Grenada, Panama), by aligning eligibility criteria with current federal standards. The bill does not alter benefit amounts but ensures consistent eligibility verification for veterans seeking state employment or pension benefits.

Maddy summarySCR 61 creates a special 14-member joint committee of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly to investigate costs in public employee health care programs. The committee will examine recent premium increases, the state's contract with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations about Governor's Office influence on contract disputes, and implementation of a 2019 law creating new funding structures. It will review all related decisions and documents, then issue a report with recommendations for policy changes. This procedural bill directly affects state health care program oversight and does not enact new policy.