Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryS 601, "Dylan's Law," requires vessel owners in New Jersey to receive specific information about U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) when applying for vessel numbers. It mandates that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission include details on required and recommended PFD types in vessel application forms, and that approved boat safety courses must cover this information as part of their curriculum. The law directly affects vessel owners seeking registration and boat safety course providers. Key mechanisms include adding PFD requirements to application forms and course content standards, ensuring boaters understand proper safety equipment usage under state and federal rules.

Maddy summaryS 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to approve "reformation assessments" for certain water and wastewater treatment and conveyance systems. These assessments are independent evaluations designed to analyze the current condition and performance of aging or damaged infrastructure and identify options for reforming ownership, management, and operations. The bill directly affects municipalities that own water or wastewater systems facing serious risks due to infrastructure deterioration or damage beyond their capacity to repair. If an assessment determines that transferring assets to a capable private or public entity could better protect drinking water and the environment, the municipality may have the option to lease, sell, or transfer those assets under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent unit within New Jersey's State Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities, older adults, limited English proficiency, transportation barriers, or financial constraints. The unit will determine needs before/during/after emergencies, assess resource availability, address access barriers, and coordinate with local emergency offices to implement best practices. The unit will include a full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to serve all regions of the state. The bill takes effect four months after enactment, requiring the Office of Emergency Management to establish this dedicated resource.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3684) updates New Jersey's Crime Victims' Bill of Rights to clarify and strengthen protections for individuals impacted by crime. Key changes include adding a new right for victims to communicate with prosecutors about plea negotiations *before* such discussions begin (Section 3, point o), and ensuring victims aren't charged fees for accessing their own case records (Section 3, points 42-47). It directly affects crime victims navigating the state's criminal justice system, ensuring they receive clearer information, greater input during plea processes, and no financial barriers to accessing their case documents. The revisions refine existing protections without creating new rights, focusing on practical improvements to victim support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of homes or small apartments (in buildings with fewer than three units) to install fuel gas sensors or dual-function carbon monoxide/fuel gas detectors before selling, leasing, or allowing new occupancy. It applies to residential properties where a municipal certificate of occupancy or inspection is required, exempting units with no gas or carbon monoxide hazards. Owners must obtain a certificate from local fire safety officials confirming sensor installation or hazard exemption, following safety standards from Underwriters Laboratories and NFPA. Violations may result in a $100 fine, but the bill focuses on preventing gas-related incidents through mandatory sensor placement.

Maddy summaryS 1574 allows New Jersey counties to create voluntary registries for senior residents (65+), enabling them to receive emergency assistance. Counties must collect basic contact and medical information from participants, keep this data confidential, and run public awareness campaigns about the registry. Each county may also prepare and distribute emergency supply kits to registered seniors during crises, with kit contents determined by local emergency management offices. The bill requires counties to maintain registry data solely for emergency preparedness and prohibits public disclosure of registry information.

Maddy summaryS 680 requires new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in New Jersey to use electricity exclusively from new renewable energy sources or newly constructed nuclear power. Applicants must submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities detailing how they will minimize energy use for cooling, optimize water sourcing, and improve building efficiency. The bill aims to prevent these facilities from increasing strain on the state's power grid and raising electricity costs for ratepayers. All electricity must be derived from new clean sources as measured hourly, with no net decrease in verifiable clean energy on the grid.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all licensed general and special hospitals in New Jersey to create and implement evidence-based protocols for early sepsis recognition and treatment. The protocols must cover screening, treatment guidelines (with separate adult and pediatric components), infection source identification, antibiotic timing, and exclusion criteria for inappropriate cases. Hospitals must submit protocols to the Department of Health within 120 days of enactment, train staff regularly, and annually report data to track adherence and mortality rates for quality improvement. The law focuses on standardizing care for a life-threatening condition that can cause organ damage or death if untreated.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2980) requires nursing home owners to submit detailed financial and ownership information before transferring ownership or delegating management to third parties. It mandates disclosure of 100% ownership structures, organizational charts, and third-party service providers paying over $200,000 annually, along with resolution of outstanding Medicaid debts. The Department of Health must publicly post applications (with privacy redactions) and allow a 30-day public comment period. These changes aim to increase transparency for prospective buyers and the public while ensuring new owners meet financial and operational standards.