Sen. Linda Greenstein

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2051 requires law enforcement officers to conduct a risk assessment for domestic violence victims who agree to participate. Officers must use the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) tool, gathering details on recent incidents, injuries, and weapon use. If the assessment indicates elevated risk of serious harm, officers must inform the victim and, with consent, connect them to crisis services or charge the suspect. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims (through consent-based assessments) and law enforcement officers (through mandated training and procedures).

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime to possess, sell, or manufacture machine gun conversion devices, which are defined as devices designed to modify semiautomatic firearms to fire multiple shots with a single trigger pull. It establishes a third-degree crime for possessing such devices, punishable by 3-5 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine, and creates a separate third-degree crime for manufacturing, selling, or distributing these devices. The bill clarifies that firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices are considered machine guns under existing law, which is currently a second-degree crime. This law applies to anyone who possesses, sells, or manufactures these conversion devices, regardless of whether they are also in possession of a firearm.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to create a special pricing structure (tariff) for data centers within 180 days of the law taking effect. The tariff must prevent regular residential and business customers (non-data center ratepayers) from facing higher electricity costs due to data centers' increased energy demand. It also mandates that the pricing structure encourage data centers to improve energy efficiency, such as by using waste heat from their operations. Utilities must implement this tariff for all data centers in their service area one year after the bill becomes law, with the Board of Public Utilities overseeing approval. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to create special pricing rules (tariffs) for data centers within 180 days of the law taking effect. The tariffs must protect regular electricity customers (non-data center ratepayers) from cost increases caused by data centers' high energy use. Utilities must also design tariffs to encourage data centers to improve energy efficiency, including using technologies that capture and reuse waste heat. The Board of Public Utilities will review and approve these tariffs, and utilities must implement them for all data centers in their service area one year after the law passes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5195) requires manufacturers to provide written notice to purchasers when selling firefighting personal protective equipment (like jackets, helmets, or gloves) containing chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The notice must state that PFAS is present, explain why it's used, and list the specific chemicals. Beginning six months after the bill takes effect, manufacturers must provide this notice at sale, and both parties must keep copies for three years. Two years later, the bill prohibits selling, manufacturing, or distributing firefighting gear that intentionally contains PFAS. It directly affects manufacturers of firefighting PPE and fire departments purchasing this equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2373 (the "New Jersey First Responders PTSD Protection Act"), protects paid first responders (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) who are diagnosed with work-related PTSD. It prohibits public employers from firing, harassing, or discriminating against these employees for taking leave related to a PTSD diagnosis verified by a licensed medical professional. Employers must reinstate employees to their prior roles after medical clearance and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if they retaliate. The law applies only when PTSD arises from trauma directly tied to job duties, such as witnessing incidents or experiencing vicarious trauma while performing official responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a licensing system for businesses that collect and transport scrap tires (scrap tire haulers) and a permitting system for sites that store, collect, or dispose of scrap tires. It mandates that only licensed haulers can move scrap tires and only permitted sites can handle them, with haulers required to maintain $150,000 in financial assurance and sites needing closure funds. The bill also creates a tracking system for tire shipments and sets fines up to $25,000 per violation for non-compliance, while exempting small businesses storing fewer than 500 tires or up to 1,000 tires in secure containers. These requirements directly affect tire haulers, disposal facilities, and businesses handling scrap tires.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General guidelines for investigating bias incidents into law. It requires all county and municipal law enforcement agencies to report suspected or confirmed bias incidents through the Electronic Uniform Crime Reporting system within 24 hours of initial response. The bill also mandates immediate notification to the Bias Crime Unit and county prosecutor in cases involving homicide, aggravated assault, hate group perpetrators, or potential large-scale public unrest. Additionally, it establishes specific criteria for confirming bias incidents and requires law enforcement agencies to develop written policies, provide officer training, and update investigation protocols for bias-related incidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to establish and regularly update guidelines for investigating bias incidents (such as hate crimes based on race, religion, or sexual orientation). It mandates that local police and prosecutors report confirmed or suspected bias incidents to the state within 24 hours, notify the Attorney General for serious cases (like homicides or organized hate groups), and follow specific investigation procedures. The guidelines also require law enforcement training on identifying bias incidents, ensure victims receive referrals to civil rights offices, and set standards for notifying state agencies like the Division of Criminal Justice. The bill directly affects county/municipal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and state offices handling bias incident investigations.

Maddy summaryS 4018 requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for behavioral health issues in children under 18. It mandates that providers can bill for these services using an "at-risk diagnosis" (which considers factors like family circumstances without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis) and alternative codes like Social Determinants of Health Z-codes. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for all covered children. This applies to all health insurance carriers, the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare).