Sen. Parker Space

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a $37,500 minimum balance requirement for Maintenance and Preservation Funds held by cemetery companies established before December 1, 1971. Currently, such companies must transfer all existing maintenance funds into these accounts but lack a defined minimum they must retain. The bill requires these older cemeteries to keep at least $37,500 in their funds, with any excess amount applied directly to cemetery maintenance. This differs from the existing $75,000 minimum for newer cemeteries established after December 1, 1971.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 970) extends existing motor vehicle registration fee exemptions to cover toll exemptions for certain disabled veterans on New Jersey's toll roads. It amends laws to require the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to waive tolls for veterans already exempt from registration fees under Section 1 of P.L.1948, c.28. Eligible veterans include those qualifying under specific New Jersey statutes, federal laws (Public Law 663 and 187), World War I veterans with service-connected disabilities, or holders of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The exemption applies to veterans using electronic toll collection systems on toll facilities operated by these authorities. The bill is pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee as of January 2024.

Maddy summarySJR 63 designates the fourth Saturday of September each year as "New Jersey Hunting and Fishing Day" to recognize these activities' importance. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public participation and directs the Division of Fish and Wildlife to publicize the day and coordinate it with at least one of the state's existing free fishing days. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents, wildlife agencies, and conservation programs by promoting hunting and fishing engagement. It does not create new regulations but establishes a recurring observance to highlight these activities' role in recreation, economic activity, and wildlife conservation funding.

Maddy summaryS 1673, the "School Safety and Security Act," establishes new criminal penalties for specific actions that disrupt school safety measures in New Jersey. It makes it a fourth-degree crime to intentionally enter school property after being told not to, provide false information to school staff, interfere with security devices or emergency protocols, or falsely trigger lockdowns. The bill also prohibits sharing school safety plans, drills, or security procedures without written permission from school officials, restricting public access to these materials. These provisions directly affect visitors, students, staff, and anyone entering school property, aiming to protect school safety operations. The bill fills a gap in current law by creating specific criminal penalties for school safety-related violations.

Maddy summaryS 418 allocates $17 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for Fiscal Year 2023 to provide grants for lake management. The bill directly affects qualified entities - including lake commissions (like Greenwood Lake Commission and Lake Hopatcong Commission), local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits - that manage publicly-accessible lakes. Key provisions require the DEP to prioritize grants for projects improving water quality, preventing harmful algal blooms, and increasing recreational access, with funds covering stormwater management and lake maintenance costs. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, directing existing resources toward specific lake conservation activities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 725) criminalizes squatting by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering vacant dwellings without permission to occupy), "unlawful occupancy" (taking up residence without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning to property after being evicted by court order). It presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they provide a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. The law affects individuals occupying vacant properties without owner consent, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. Currently, squatting isn't a criminal offense in New Jersey, requiring owners to seek court-ordered evictions instead.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's law to allow all human trafficking victims and witnesses to testify via closed-circuit television in criminal trials, removing a current limitation that only applied to trafficking involving sexual activity. Courts may order this testimony only after finding by clear evidence that the person would suffer severe emotional distress testifying in person, with specific requirements to protect cross-examination rights and allow observation of demeanor. Victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges may request this option, and the law specifies rules for recording, confidentiality (especially for minors), and access to testimony records. The change aims to reduce trauma for vulnerable witnesses while maintaining legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryS 1988 eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking crimes in New Jersey, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time - without the current five-year deadline - against offenders for specific human trafficking offenses listed in the bill (including those under N.J.S.2C:11-3 and N.J.S.2C:11-4). This directly affects victims of human trafficking, who can now report crimes later, and prosecutors, who gain flexibility to pursue cases regardless of when the crime occurred. The bill amends New Jersey law to explicitly state that prosecution for these offenses "may be commenced at any time," removing the previous time limit. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Judiciary Committee; it is not yet law.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Jobs Protection Act (S 1847) requires employers in New Jersey to verify the work authorization of all employees using the federal E-Verify system, aiming to prevent the hiring of individuals without legal permission to work in the U.S. It directly affects all employers in the state - including businesses, local governments, and self-employed individuals - who would face penalties for intentionally or knowingly employing unauthorized workers. Key provisions include a $10,000 fine per unauthorized employee for first violations, mandatory termination of such employees, and a three-year probation period requiring quarterly E-Verify reports for employers. The bill focuses on holding employers accountable, not on immigration enforcement against workers, and mandates that work authorization verification be done through federal channels, not state officials. The bill was introduced in January 2024 and referred to the Senate Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryS 723 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons from acquiring or purchasing agricultural land in New Jersey after the bill's effective date. Current foreign owners must sell their land within five years to a non-foreign entity (such as a U.S. citizen or business), with a deed ensuring the land remains devoted to agricultural use. The bill requires annual reports to the governor and legislature detailing foreign ownership acreage, top nationalities, and land use trends. Limited exceptions apply for land acquired through debt collection (requiring sale within two years) or inheritance, and the law does not override U.S. treaties with foreign nations.