Sen. Joe Cryan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most New Jersey residents to register body armor they already own within 90 days of the law taking effect. It also mandates that anyone purchasing new body armor must obtain a permit from the Attorney General, which is valid for 30 days. Exemptions apply to law enforcement officers, active military personnel, government employees using armor for work, and licensed body armor dealers. Violations - such as possessing unregistered body armor or selling without a permit - carry fines up to $1,000 or third-degree criminal charges. The law does not restrict government entities or exempt groups from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2156) requires casino operators in New Jersey to include specific warning messages in all advertising for casino games and sports wagering. It mandates that all billboards, signs, print ads, and other promotional materials display two key messages: "Bet with your head, not over it" and a gambling help hotline ("If you or someone you know has a gambling problem... call 1-800 GAMBLER"). The bill also prohibits targeted advertising toward self-excluded gamblers (per state law) or individuals under the legal gambling age. These provisions directly affect casino licensees and their marketing practices, aiming to prevent deceptive advertising and promote responsible gambling awareness.

Maddy summaryS 2146 establishes a 12-member Commission on Oversight of Public Institutions of Higher Education to examine New Jersey's public college and university system. The commission, including representatives from state colleges, research universities, county colleges, faculty, student leaders, a labor union, and a fiscal expert, will study financial transparency (like tuition disclosures), accountability (student outcomes, program quality), and oversight mechanisms. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days of organizing, recommending improvements to the system's structure. This bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in New Jersey and their students through potential policy changes based on the commission's findings.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 549) makes it a fourth-degree crime to secretly install or use electronic tracking devices or apps to monitor someone's location without their consent, punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. It specifically targets unauthorized tracking for unlawful purposes, with key exemptions for parents tracking minor children, employers monitoring work vehicles (with required notice), and businesses disclosing location data in privacy policies. The law creates a legal presumption that secret tracking is intended for unlawful acts like stalking or harassment. Government use of tracking equipment is explicitly exempt from the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts licensed master plumbers in New Jersey from needing an electrical contractor business permit when performing specific routine maintenance tasks. It directly affects licensed master plumbers who replace standard electric water heaters (up to 240 volts) or air conditioning condensing units (up to 240 volts) in residential settings. The key provision adds these common plumbing-related tasks to an existing list of exempt activities under electrical licensing law, removing the requirement for a separate electrical permit. The exemption applies only to work within these defined parameters and does not affect other electrical work requiring permits.

Maddy summaryS 1321 amends New Jersey's tax sale law to require that after a lienholder (whether a municipality or private entity) forecloses a tax lien and is reimbursed for the property taxes and interest they paid, any remaining equity from the property sale must be returned to the original property owner. This directly affects property owners who fall behind on taxes but whose properties sell for more than the owed amount, preventing "equity theft" where excess proceeds were previously kept by lienholders. The bill responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's *Tyler v. Hennepin County* ruling (2023), which found retaining excess sale value without compensation violates constitutional protections. It mandates that courts return excess equity to owners after reimbursing lienholders for taxes and interest, aligning New Jersey law with constitutional requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the penalty for drivers who flee the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death from a second-degree crime to a first-degree crime. It directly affects drivers involved in fatal crashes who leave the scene, regardless of whether they knew someone died. The key change increases potential penalties: first-degree offenses carry 10-20 years in prison (up from 5-10 years) and fines up to $200,000 (up from $150,000). The law also ensures separate sentences for related charges like aggravated manslaughter, with consecutive prison terms for multiple convictions.

Maddy summaryS 2153 allows current New Jersey elected officials who are members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) to retire and receive pension benefits while continuing to serve in their elected office and earn the full salary for that position. This applies only if the pension amount isn’t based solely on service in the elected role. The bill eliminates the requirement for these officials to make new retirement contributions for their service in elected office. It specifically targets current officeholders, reversing a 2011 policy change that had blocked this arrangement.

Maddy summaryS 2138 amends New Jersey's bribery statute (N.J.S.2C:27-2) to explicitly include candidates for public office and individuals elected but not yet in office as covered under bribery laws. It makes it illegal to offer, accept, or agree to accept a benefit as consideration for influencing a decision, vote, or official action - even if the recipient was not yet qualified to act (e.g., not yet in office). The law clarifies that the recipient's lack of qualification cannot be used as a defense in prosecution, and bribery is classified as a second-degree crime (or third-degree for benefits under $200). This change ensures attempts to influence candidates or newly elected officials before they assume office are prosecuted as criminal acts, while excluding lawful campaign activities like soliciting contributions under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that hire qualified ex-offenders. It allows a 15% credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax, capped at $900 per employee, for wages paid to individuals who: (1) were convicted of a first- to fourth-degree crime in New Jersey, and (2) were hired within one year of conviction or release from incarceration. The credit reduces tax liability but cannot exceed 50% of the tax due or lower it below the statutory minimum. Businesses directly benefit by lowering their tax burden when employing eligible former offenders.