Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryS 3349 requires the New Jersey driver's manual to include new information on carbon monoxide dangers and vehicle maintenance, sharing the road safely with pedestrians and cyclists, and safety procedures for non-motorized vehicles. This amendment applies to all new editions of the manual distributed to applicants for driver's licenses and license renewals. The Motor Vehicle Commission must add these topics to future versions, though existing copies may be distributed until the new manual is printed. The bill text does not include provisions about police stops, despite the title and synopsis suggesting this focus.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Department of Health to establish partnerships in international public health, specifically seeking participation in the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. The legislation directs the department to communicate with the network, submit applications, designate contact points, and engage in technical consultations and information-sharing activities to improve outbreak preparedness. It clarifies that the state does not join the World Health Organization itself and ensures no confidential health information is disclosed beyond existing legal protections. The law also confirms that the department cannot spend funds beyond what has already been appropriated for these activities.

Maddy summaryS 1279 establishes a 25-member "Youth Detention Task Force" to assess New Jersey's current youth detention system and recommend a better approach. The task force will evaluate existing county facilities, Youth Justice Commission-managed sites, or alternatives, considering factors like safety, rehabilitation opportunities, resources, and security. It includes legislative members, state agency heads (like the Attorney General and Youth Justice Commission Director), and public representatives from counties with and without detention facilities. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its first meeting.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans landlords and housing programs from using credit scores or credit reports to evaluate applicants for affordable housing. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households seeking subsidized housing or units restricted to such households. Instead of relying on credit scores, it requires individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent based on income relative to rent (2x or 2.5x rent, depending on subsidy type). The law aims to prevent discriminatory rejections that disproportionately impact people of color, disabled individuals, and others facing systemic barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual competitive auction system for film and digital media tax credits in New Jersey, directing the resulting funds to the state's Civic Information Consortium and public broadcasting system. It reduces the available tax credit percentage for certain film productions while maintaining higher rates for specific digital media projects that meet strict local hiring and spending requirements. The legislation also includes a $15 million appropriation to support these initiatives and requires all recipients to include promotional materials for New Jersey in their final credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey sports wagering licensees (like online betting platforms and casinos) to create, publish, and get approval for clear rules about account limitations - such as play time caps, maximum bets, or deposit limits. Licensees must display these rules publicly and notify patrons in writing whenever an account is limited, explaining the reason. They must also review limited accounts periodically and report annually to gaming regulators on the frequency and types of limits imposed. These rules aim to increase transparency for bettors about how their accounts are managed.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2362) modifies self-exclusion rules for gambling. It requires individuals seeking removal from a voluntary gambling exclusion list to first watch educational videos about gambling risks and support resources. The bill also allows third parties (like family members or joint credit card holders) to petition for someone else's exclusion if they can prove financial responsibility, legal dependency, or court-ordered obligations. These changes apply to all state gambling venues, including racetracks and online wagering systems, while maintaining the confidentiality of exclusion lists. The bill aims to strengthen safeguards for problem gamblers and expand exclusion options for those affected by others' gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement to study and implement specific language in casino and sports pool advertisements to promote responsible gambling. It mandates a 12-month study evaluating how words, phrases, font size, placement, and repetition affect public behavior - especially for problem gamblers, self-excluded individuals, and minors. Following the study, the division must develop 3-10 key phrases to be included in all such ads at optimized frequencies. The bill directly affects casinos and sports betting operators by requiring specific messaging in their advertisements, aiming to deter irresponsible gambling without restricting ad locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill raises the monetary amounts used to classify theft crimes into different severity levels. It directly affects prosecutors, judges, and individuals accused of stealing property by changing the financial thresholds that determine whether a case is charged as a second, third, fourth degree crime, or a disorderly persons offense. Under the new rules, thefts involving $100,001 or more become second-degree crimes, while amounts between $2,501 and $100,000 become third-degree crimes, and thefts of $1,001 to $2,500 become fourth-degree crimes. The bill also adjusts the threshold for fiduciary breaches from $50,000 to $100,000 for second-degree charges and lowers the disorderly persons threshold from $200 to $1,000.