Sen. Shirley Turner

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new health care facilities in New Jersey to be constructed using Type I or Type II fire-resistant building standards, mandating noncombustible materials to prevent rapid fire spread. It specifically prohibits the use of fire-retardant treated wood in these facilities. The law applies to a broad range of institutions, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and rehabilitation facilities. The commissioner of health will develop implementing regulations to enforce these standards, aiming to enhance safety for patients with limited mobility during fire emergencies.

Maddy summaryS 2485 establishes New Jersey's Residential Property Repair Program, appropriating $30 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide low-interest loans (up to $50,000 per home) for fixing serious home defects. The program directly affects eligible homeowners or prospective homeowners in designated municipalities who meet income limits (under 120% of area median income) or are first responders, covering defects that make homes uninhabitable or create health hazards like lead or mold. Key provisions require applicants to commit to living in the repaired home as their principal residence for five years (with a $5,000 penalty for early departure) and complete homebuyer counseling before receiving funds. The program, administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, cannot replace existing home repair funding and is limited to properties in municipalities with abandoned property lists.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2522 prohibits crisis pregnancy centers from making deceptive or misleading advertisements about pregnancy-related services under the state's Consumer Fraud Act. The bill specifically targets centers that falsely claim to provide medical services (like ultrasounds or prenatal care) or misrepresent their ability to offer such services, while clarifying these centers must not provide abortion referrals or mimic licensed medical facilities. Violations could result in enforcement actions by the Attorney General, including injunctions against deceptive advertising and court-ordered corrective measures. The law directly affects nonprofit crisis pregnancy centers operating in New Jersey that advertise pregnancy counseling or related services.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2524 criminalizes individuals who falsely claim ownership or possession of residential properties (like houses, apartments, or mobile homes) to rent them out or gain a benefit without the lawful owner's consent. The bill specifically targets "imposter landlords" who either directly claim the property for rental purposes or cause others to take possession without authorization. Violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes, punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. The law explicitly excludes legitimate tenants, subtenants, and people acting in good faith with a reasonable belief in their rights. It does not replace other applicable criminal or civil charges for fraud or theft.

Maddy summaryS 2489 creates a publicly accessible online registry for specific domestic violence cases, allowing anyone to search the database. It includes detailed information for individuals convicted of domestic violence-related homicide, sexual assault, or aggravated assault (such as name, aliases, offense details, physical description, vehicle info, and residence), but excludes most restraining orders. The registry must include warnings about misuse, accuracy statements, and require the Attorney General to maintain data integrity. Using the information to threaten, harass, or commit crimes carries penalties including fines up to $1,000 or third-degree criminal charges.

Maddy summarySCR 85 is a New Jersey Senate concurrent resolution requesting the federal government to change Medicaid rules so that substance use disorder treatment programs in certain facilities can receive federal funding. Currently, federal Medicaid law excludes funding for such programs in facilities classified as Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs) because substance use disorder is defined as a mental disease under federal law. The resolution asks Congress and the President to consider repealing the IMD exclusion, removing substance use disorder from the definition of mental disease for IMD purposes, or increasing IMD bed limits. This would allow states like New Jersey to access federal Medicaid funds for these programs, reducing state costs and potentially expanding treatment access for individuals with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryS 2488 requires county prosecutors to notify New Jersey's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability before starting criminal investigations into misconduct by state, county, or municipal law enforcement officers. The Office must then supervise these investigations to ensure objectivity. The Attorney General may also take over an investigation if they determine it serves the state's interests. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers facing misconduct allegations, county prosecutors, and the Attorney General's office. It changes the process for handling such investigations by adding oversight and potential state-level supervision.

Maddy summaryS 2519 requires New Jersey municipalities to notify property owners in writing before reassessing the value of their properties under a "compliance plan." This applies to property owners whose valuations are being adjusted through "assessment maintenance" (a process to correct non-uniform assessments), not routine tax reassessments. The notice must explain how the reassessment will be implemented, its potential impact on the property's value, and the owner's right to appeal. The requirement applies after the county board of taxation approves the compliance plan and before the reassessment takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1551) would have authorized New Jersey municipalities and counties to establish civilian review boards to oversee police operations. It specified that boards must have at least seven members (appointed by mayors or county officials with community experience), require training before reviewing officer conduct, and mandate a quorum of four members. The bill included a $600,000 state appropriation to support these boards and required boards to document their work. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration in February 2024 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders to provide reverse mortgage borrowers with pre-loan counseling and a 7-day right to cancel the loan. It mandates lenders to give borrowers a written checklist covering key topics (like impacts of moving, alternatives to reverse mortgages, tax effects, and home maintenance costs), along with contact information for five HUD-approved, conflict-free counseling agencies. Borrowers must receive in-person counseling and sign a certification verifying this, which must be dated at least three business days before closing. Failure to comply voids the loan or triggers a $1,000 civil penalty for lenders, while borrowers gain the right to rescind the loan within seven days of accepting the lender's commitment.