Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1453) amends New Jersey law to allow inmates participating in college or associate degree programs to earn time credits toward reducing their parole eligibility date. Currently, inmates receive up to one day off parole eligibility for every five days in "productive occupations" like vocational training; this bill explicitly adds college/associate degree programs to that category. The credits would apply to all inmates in correctional facilities who complete these educational programs, without affecting existing good behavior deductions or other sentence credits. The bill does not change current wage or compensation rules for inmates.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits sports wagering licensees (such as casinos and racetracks) in New Jersey from offering bets that target specific college athletes, like "Will Player X score a touchdown?" It directly affects sports betting operators by banning these "player-specific proposition bets" on college sports events. The key provision adds a new restriction to existing sports wagering law, explicitly banning such bets to protect college athletes and reduce gambling risks. This policy change amends New Jersey's sports wagering regulations (P.L.2018, c.33) to include this prohibition. The bill does not alter licensing structures or operational rules detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at Rutgers School of Public Health. The center will research suicide causes, prevention methods, and treatment approaches - including individual, community, and societal factors - and work with state policymakers to develop evidence-based programs. It will recruit new researchers, run a competitive grant program for suicide research, and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its activities and funding. The bill requires annual state funding for the center and allows it to accept additional grants or donations for suicide-related research.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides legal protection by granting civil immunity to police officers employed by private nonprofit colleges and the colleges themselves. If these officers act in good faith while enforcing laws, they and their institutions cannot be sued for damages. The immunity does not exceed the protections already available to other duly appointed police officers. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 1488 establishes a three-year pilot program to fund research and development of nonlethal weapons for law enforcement in New Jersey. The bill creates a $3 million "Non-Lethal Weapons Innovation Fund" to award up to $1 million each to three state higher education institutions (with priority for private-sector partnerships) for developing weapons designed to minimize fatalities and injuries during officer encounters. A 10-member review committee - including law enforcement, civil rights, and medical experts - will evaluate grant applications and annual progress reports, then recommend to lawmakers whether to extend the program. The initiative directly affects New Jersey colleges conducting this research and law enforcement agencies potentially using resulting technologies, but does not mandate deployment or create new weapons. The program expires after three years unless lawmakers decide to continue it based on the final report.

Maddy summaryS 1513 allows elected municipal officials in New Jersey (such as mayors or council members) to qualify for retirement benefits while still holding their elected position, provided they stop receiving salary for that role and their pension isn't based solely on service in that office. The bill requires officials to voluntarily forfeit their position's compensation to access retirement benefits under existing pension systems. It does not change pension eligibility rules but modifies how service in elected roles counts toward retirement. The law would take effect immediately if federal pension regulations permit the change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1444) requires casino operators in New Jersey to include specific warnings on all advertising for casino games and sports wagering. It mandates that all ads display the phrase "Bet with your head, not over it" and the gambling help hotline "1-800 GAMBLER" in clear, legible text. Additionally, the bill prohibits casinos from targeting advertisements toward individuals who have self-excluded from gambling or those under the legal gambling age. These rules apply directly to casino licensees, their employees, and agents when promoting gaming services.

Maddy summaryS 1464 prohibits businesses in New Jersey from using face recognition or other biometric surveillance technology on consumers at their physical locations, except when they provide clear notice (like a posted sign) and use it for lawful purposes. Businesses must explain their use of such technology to deny access or remove a consumer, and cannot sell or profit from the collected biometric data. If enacted, violations would be unlawful under consumer fraud laws, potentially leading to fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects businesses operating physical locations and their interactions with consumers. (Introduced January 13, 2026; pending in Senate Law and Public Safety Committee).

Maddy summaryS 803 creates a program for New Jersey to acquire development easements on privately-owned woodlands, permanently restricting future development to protect land for farming, forestry, and conservation. Woodlands must be at least 20 acres, used for agriculture or forestry production, and managed under approved stewardship plans to qualify. The program will use existing farmland preservation funds and coordinate with federal agencies to access additional support, such as the federal Forest Legacy Program. Landowners who sell these easements retain ownership but lose development rights, with restrictions recorded to last indefinitely.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits force-feeding ducks, geese, or other poultry to produce foie gras (a food product made from enlarged liver), except when done for a bird's health. It also bans the sale or distribution of foie gras unless the product comes from a state or jurisdiction that already prohibits force-feeding. Violations carry a written warning for the first offense, followed by $100 civil penalties for repeat violations (with each day of ongoing violation counting separately). The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.