Sen. Vince Polistina

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 4327) requires businesses offering automatic renewal or continuous service subscriptions (like streaming, gym memberships, or software) to clearly disclose key terms before charging customers. Businesses must obtain explicit customer consent before billing, explain pricing changes after free trials, and provide easy cancellation options - both online and via phone/email - along with a clear cancellation policy. If businesses send goods without prior consent, the items are treated as free gifts, and customers receive full refunds within 30 days if charged. The law applies to all such offers within New Jersey, with violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 under consumer fraud laws.

Maddy summaryS 4329, the "Political Donation Transparency Act," prohibits political candidates, committees, and parties from automatically enrolling donors in recurring contributions without explicit permission. It requires that any recurring donation must be initiated only after the donor actively consents and receives clear details about the contribution's frequency, amount, and nature. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime, carrying potential penalties of up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects all entities soliciting political contributions in New Jersey, aiming to prevent unintentional recurring donations. The Election Law Enforcement Commission may establish additional rules to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, parks, schools, or buildings) after a foreign terrorist organization designated by the federal government. It requires these entities to remove all existing signs, plaques, or displays referencing such groups within 30 days of the law taking effect and to rename the property within 90 days. The state will reimburse local governments for the costs of removal and renaming, and violations will trigger daily deductions from state aid. The Division of Local Government Services must maintain an annual list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands they control, excluding sovereign nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to include children of any age who are disabled due to intellectual disability or physical incapacity. Specifically, it adds a new provision (d) requiring the disability to prevent substantial gainful work for at least 12 months, as certified by a medical board. This change directly affects surviving family members of retired or deceased police and firefighter members who qualify as disabled children under the new criteria. The policy shift ensures these disabled children may now receive survivor benefits previously only available to younger or education-focused dependents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed New Jersey audiologists to select, prescribe, and order hearing aids - expanding their current authority to only fit and sell them - if they complete approved training. It directly affects audiologists who must now meet specific educational requirements and New Jersey residents needing hearing aids, particularly for prescription-grade devices under new FDA classifications. The key change aligns state law with updated federal rules that distinguish between over-the-counter and prescription hearing aids. This amendment modifies existing licensing standards under P.L.1983, c.420, requiring audiologists to complete coursework in the full scope of hearing aid services.

Maddy summaryS 2887 ensures that certain volunteer workers, including firefighters, first responders, emergency management volunteers, and registered health care personnel, receive the maximum workers' compensation benefit for work-related injuries or deaths, regardless of their outside job earnings. The bill removes the standard seven-day waiting period for these workers' claims. It specifically applies to volunteers in roles such as volunteer firefighters, ambulance drivers, forest fire fighters, and health care workers registered with the Emergency Health Care Provider Registry. This legislation clarifies and expands a 2019 court ruling requiring maximum benefits for volunteer firefighters without considering outside income.

Maddy summaryS 4103 establishes a voluntary training and registration program for commercial applicators (those who apply deicing substances for hire, not including government employees) to protect water quality by reducing excessive runoff from snow and ice removal. Commercial applicators must complete DEP-certified training, pass an exam, and register; they must also maintain records of their deicer use and report annually. Registered applicators gain limited liability protection for accidents when following trained methods, but lose this protection if they deviate from the methods or act recklessly. The Department of Environmental Protection will certify training providers (like community colleges) and maintain a public registry of registered applicators.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Veteran's Service Organization License" that would allow specific veteran groups to serve alcoholic beverages on their premises. The license would permit serving alcohol only to bona fide members of the organization, their guests (up to nine per occasion), affiliated members of other veteran organizations, and members of allied auxiliary organizations. The license holder could not sell alcohol off-premises, and for private events hosted by members, the member would need to provide alcohol purchased off-premises (not sold by the organization), with the organization only allowed to sell food and non-alcoholic beverages at such events. The license would cost between $63 and $188 annually, and would be separate from existing club licenses that veteran organizations currently use.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for licensed audiologists in New Jersey, allowing them to select, prescribe, and order hearing aids in addition to their current ability to dispense and fit them. To qualify, audiologists must complete an accredited program of coursework and clinical training covering these specific services. The change aligns New Jersey law with new federal regulations that created a distinct category for prescription hearing aids. It directly affects licensed audiologists who meet the training requirements and their patients seeking prescription hearing aids.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes penalties for underage gambling (by individuals under 21) from criminal offenses to civil fines. It imposes tiered fines: up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The bill applies to underage gamblers, casino licensees/employees who allow underage gambling, and individuals in lawful care of minors who permit gambling.