Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to add instruction about social media and cell phone risks to grades 6 through 12. It expands current requirements by moving this education from technology classes (grades 6-8) to the health curriculum for all grades 6-12. The instruction must cover responsible use, cyber safety, and specifically address how addiction affects mental health, relationships, and development. School districts must implement this as part of existing health education standards, with the state providing sample resources. The bill directly affects all public school students in those grades and their schools.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 996 makes it a misdemeanor to trick people into sharing personal details like Social Security numbers, credit card info, or biometric data for identity theft. The bill prohibits soliciting or requesting such information with the intent to steal identities, defraud, or harm others. It uses a broad definition of "personal identifying information" covering names, addresses, account numbers, and unique identifiers like fingerprints. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law directly targets scammers and fraudsters attempting to exploit personal data.

Maddy summaryS 984 would allow New Jersey taxpayers to reduce their state income tax bill by deducting the fair market value of vehicles donated to qualifying law enforcement agencies (like police departments, sheriff's offices, or state police). Taxpayers donating vehicles worth over $500 must provide an independent appraisal, and the agency must give written confirmation of the donation details. The deduction applies to cars, boats, or planes (not dealer inventory) donated to eligible agencies, but cannot lower taxable income below zero. Agencies are not required to accept any donated vehicle under this bill.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1046, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes procedures for law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants charged with specific serious crimes. It applies to individuals not citizens, lawful residents, or authorized under certain federal programs (like DACA or asylum) who face charges including first-degree crimes, motor vehicle offenses causing injury, or federal aggravated felonies/crimes of violence. The bill requires officers to verify immigration status via DHS; if confirmed as unlawfully present, officers must comply with federal immigration detainers and prosecutors must seek pretrial detention, overriding state bail reform laws. The bill repeals prior state laws restricting immigration enforcement and ends the "Immigrant Trust Directive" that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to waive the motorcycle road test for veterans applying for a motorcycle license. It directly affects veterans who provide proof of an honorable military discharge and have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course on a U.S. military base. The waiver applies only to the road test portion of the licensing process, not the written exam. Veterans must submit this documentation when applying for their license.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers during encounters with underage individuals regarding alcohol or cannabis possession, unless the officer intentionally discriminated against the person based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Currently, officers faced criminal charges for certain enforcement actions (like improper stops or searches) regardless of discriminatory intent. The bill changes this by requiring proof of discriminatory purpose to impose criminal liability. It directly affects law enforcement officers and underage individuals in these specific situations. The policy change clarifies that routine enforcement actions without discriminatory intent will not result in criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Governor, Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Assembly Speaker, and Assembly Minority Leader to meet in person at the State House in Trenton at least once every quarter (four times yearly) for a minimum of two hours per session. The meetings must begin with a private discussion period followed by a public portion where leaders report on state issues, pending legislation, and policy matters, and may answer questions from the public. All leaders must attend every meeting in person and cannot be represented by others. The bill is procedural, focusing on structured government transparency rather than policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's senior citizens' and disabled persons' property tax deduction by raising the annual income limit for eligibility from $10,000 to $25,000 and increasing the maximum annual deduction amount from $250 to $500. It directly affects qualifying residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled with household income under $25,000 who own or occupy qualifying housing. The changes would take effect only after voters approve a constitutional amendment revising these thresholds, as specified in the bill. The current limits (set in 1983) have not been updated since 1983.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1,500 nonrefundable state income tax credit for New Jersey residents who meet specific criteria. To qualify, a taxpayer must have graduated from both a New Jersey high school and a New Jersey institution of higher education (public or private nonprofit) with a 3.5+ GPA, then work full-time (25+ hours/week) for a New Jersey-based employer within two years of graduation. The credit applies for the first five consecutive tax years of eligible employment, but cannot reduce tax liability below zero. It directly targets recent NJ college graduates seeking to remain in-state for employment, aiming to incentivize retention in the state's workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes venue rules for juveniles charged with specific vehicle-related offenses who have prior delinquency records. It creates a presumption that cases must be heard in the county where the complaint was filed, rather than the county where the incident occurred or the juvenile's residence. The change applies only when a juvenile is charged with theft, unlawful taking, carjacking, or burglary involving motor vehicles and has previously been adjudicated delinquent for one of these offenses. This affects juvenile defendants in these specific cases by standardizing where their court proceedings occur. The bill amends existing law without altering penalties or rehabilitation processes.