Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3182 prohibits businesses from using facial recognition or similar biometric surveillance systems on customers at their physical locations without specific conditions. Businesses must post clear signs if they use such systems for lawful purposes, and if they deny access or remove a customer based on this technology, they must provide a detailed explanation of their decision. The bill also bans businesses from selling, leasing, or profiting from biometric data collected through these systems. Violations are treated as consumer fraud under state law, with first-time offenders given 30 days to comply before potential fines up to $20,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3180) changes New Jersey's NJBEST savings program from a one-time $750 grant to an annual $1,500 grant for eligible account owners. It provides a three-to-one match on annual deposits (up to $1,500 per year) for contributors with adjusted gross income between $0 and $75,000, until the designated beneficiary turns 14. The grant is funded through administrative fees collected by the program. This policy directly affects low-to-moderate-income New Jersey families saving for higher education.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most public and private entities in New Jersey from collecting, storing, or sharing biometric data like facial recognition scans, fingerprints, or voice patterns without specific notice. It directly affects businesses (e.g., retailers using facial recognition) and government agencies that use biometric surveillance systems. The key exception requires entities to post clear, plain-language notices at all entry points about their use of such systems. Violations carry civil penalties ($5,000 first offense, $10,000 for repeat offenses) and, for repeated violations (5+ in 30 days), could lead to criminal charges (fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in jail).

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants or applicants additional rent, fees, or security deposits specifically for keeping pets in residential rental units. Landlords cannot require pet fees as a condition of leasing, include them in lease agreements, or charge more than a $500 refundable security deposit (which must be counted toward the total security deposit limit). The law directly affects renters and prospective renters in standard residential leases (excluding hotels/motels), ensuring they aren’t charged extra for pets. Tenants can sue landlords for violations and recover $1,000 per offense plus attorney fees, in addition to existing legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate for New Jersey's public higher education institutions (like Rutgers and NJIT), reflecting actual retirement costs instead of the previous general rate, with a $47 million cap on increased costs. It requires public colleges and universities to pay for health care benefits for part-time faculty who teach at least 24 credits in a fiscal year (July-June) and 12 credits between July 1 and December 31. Part-time faculty meeting these credit thresholds will be treated as full-time for health coverage eligibility, with billing proportional to the credits taught. The bill amends existing law to ensure institutions cover these costs, replacing the prior system where part-time faculty typically paid full health care premiums.

Maddy summaryS 3175 removes the requirement that public work contractors must participate in a registered apprenticeship program to bid on or perform construction projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage laws. The bill repeals a previous provision (P.L.2021, c.423, section 6) that mandated this participation. Instead, it establishes standards for apprenticeship programs that contractors may choose to use, requiring that any such program's training requirements meet or exceed U.S. Department of Labor standards. This change directly affects contractors bidding on or working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements.

Maddy summaryS 2157 requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create and maintain a user-friendly online payment system for toll fees and fines paid through New Jersey's E-ZPass system. The system must be easy to use, accessible to all users, minimize errors, and include a live chat feature for assistance. Authorities must regularly update the system and ensure any contracted vendors comply with these standards, conducting annual performance audits of the payment processing. This directly affects drivers using E-ZPass who pay tolls or fines online.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2422 establishes a state-level occupational heat stress standard and prevention program under the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill requires all employers (including public entities) to implement written heat illness prevention plans by June 2025, mandating practices like providing potable water below 59°F, paid rest breaks in cool areas, and emergency response protocols for heat exposure. It also requires employers to monitor heat levels, acclimatize workers, and activate heat alert systems during forecasted heat waves, including postponing non-essential tasks and increasing staffing to reduce individual exposure. The law directly affects all workers in New Jersey, with heightened focus on high-risk sectors like agriculture, construction, and indoor workplaces without climate control.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3085 requires public service employers (like government agencies, schools, and public libraries) to certify qualifying employees' work history for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Employers must provide completed PSLF forms to employees upon request, annually, or when leaving their job, and credit 3.35 hours of work for each hour of teaching time for educators. The bill also mandates the Secretary of Higher Education to create and distribute plain-language materials - including a standardized letter, fact sheet, and FAQ - to all public service employers and their employees about the PSLF program. These materials must be shared annually with current staff and provided to new hires within 30 days of starting work.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for motor vehicle theft and related crimes for both juveniles and adults in New Jersey. For adults convicted of first-time motor vehicle theft, it mandates a minimum 180-day prison sentence without parole eligibility, rising to one year for repeat offenses. Juveniles convicted of first-time theft face 30 days in custody, with 60 days followed by a nonresidential program for second offenses, and six months followed by such a program for third or subsequent offenses. The bill also eliminates restitution requirements for juveniles convicted of these specific offenses and imposes minimum sentences of six months to one year for adults who recruit minors to commit these crimes, with five or more years for repeat offenses.