Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 380) requires businesses, schools, and other entities that mandate COVID-19 vaccination proof for access to services, employment, or venues to accept a voluntary verbal confirmation of prior COVID-19 infection or protective immune response as an equivalent alternative. It ensures individuals who recovered from COVID-19 and developed natural immunity face the same employment terms and access rights as vaccinated people. The law applies to schools (including preschools and universities), workplaces, and public accommodations, but explicitly states it does not override federal requirements or create a vaccine passport system. Entities must treat this confirmation as valid as vaccination proof without requiring additional testing.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of an occupied residence to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, changing it from the current third-degree classification. It directly affects individuals convicted of entering or remaining in a dwelling (like a home) where someone was present during the offense. The key provision requires offenders to serve 85% of their prison sentence before becoming parole-eligible, as mandated by the "No Early Release Act" (NERA). This applies specifically when a person was present in the residence at the time of the burglary, increasing penalties compared to burglary of unoccupied dwellings or other burglary scenarios.
Maddy summaryS 1855 requires New Jersey electric utilities (like investor-owned power companies) to create and maintain a toll-free phone number for the public to report broken power lines or trees/vegetation threatening power infrastructure. Utilities must list this number on every customer bill and on their website. The bill directly affects residents who can report hazards and the utilities responsible for maintaining power infrastructure. It takes effect immediately, with a 60-day delay for implementation.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from entering contracts for technology goods or services with companies owned, operated, or affiliated with the Government of China. It requires all companies bidding on such contracts to certify they are eligible to bid, and imposes penalties - including a civil fine of up to $250,000 or double the contract value, plus termination of the contract - for false certifications. The law directly affects technology contractors seeking state contracts and state agencies managing procurement. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summarySCR 13 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit most emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor to a 14-day period during a state of emergency. After 14 days, such measures would automatically expire unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending them. The amendment does not apply to orders rescinding prior emergency actions, federal compliance measures, executive branch rules, National Guard actions, or orders issued under existing laws with longer timeframes. This change would shift authority from the Governor to require legislative approval for extended emergency powers, while maintaining current flexibility for specific exceptions.
Maddy summaryS 1986 establishes a 7-member School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force to study New Jersey's current school funding system under the 2008 School Funding Reform Act. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and six public members with education/finance expertise, will evaluate specific aspects like how school district budgets and local shares are calculated, weighting for at-risk students, special education funding methods, and geographic cost adjustments. It must hold public meetings across the state and issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. This bill creates a procedural mechanism for reviewing the existing funding formula, directly affecting how state school aid is distributed to districts.
Maddy summaryS 1329 requires New Jersey school districts to provide parents with a voucher covering 75% of the district's per-pupil spending (prorated for remaining school days) if they withdraw their child from public school due to objections about curriculum content they deem harmful. It specifically includes objections related to material conflicting with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or morality. The voucher must cover tuition and fees for enrollment in a nonpublic school. This applies to all public school students in New Jersey whose parents make such objections.
Maddy summaryS 382 prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on fertilization timing (not the standard due date), directly affecting pregnant people seeking later-term procedures and physicians performing them. The law requires doctors to determine the unborn child’s probable post-fertilization age before performing an abortion, banning the procedure at 20 weeks or more unless exceptions apply. These exceptions cover life-threatening medical conditions for the pregnant person, rape (with prior police reporting and 48-hour counseling), or incest involving minors. If an abortion is performed under an exception and the child is born alive, the law mandates that a second physician trained in neonatal care must be present to provide immediate medical assistance.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program" within the Department of Agriculture. It directly affects state colleges and universities (like Rutgers) and New Jersey farmers by requiring institutions to expand kitchen facilities for local food use, adopt price preferences for local produce in purchasing, and create directories connecting farmers with institutions. Key mechanisms include developing rules for procurement, creating an online website for contracts and networking, and allowing the Department to accept private/public funding to support the program. The goal is to increase local food availability in campus meals by making it easier for schools to buy fresh, locally grown products.
Maddy summaryS 1854 allows corrections officers, firefighters, and police officers in New Jersey to administer epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) during allergic emergencies. The bill requires these officers to complete a health-approved training program and receive certification, authorizing them to use, maintain, and dispose of the devices. It clarifies that "firefighter" includes public fire department employees or volunteers, and "police officer" covers State, county, or municipal officers. This expands access to life-saving treatment during anaphylaxis by enabling trained first responders to act without immediate medical supervision. The bill amends existing law (P.L.2015, c.215) and was introduced in January 2024.