Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryS 3413, the "New Jersey Kids Code Act," requires online services likely accessed by minors to implement age-appropriate design standards. It directly affects major platforms with significant child users (like social media and gaming services), mandating default privacy settings that protect minors and prohibiting the use of their data for harmful purposes. Key provisions include designing products with children’s developmental needs in mind, preventing exposure to harmful content, and ensuring data practices don’t negatively impact minors’ well-being. The law adopts New Jersey’s version of an "Age-Appropriate Design Code" to create safer online experiences for children.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and personnel to call 911 during potential life-threatening emergencies involving students. It also mandates that school buses transporting students with disabilities be equipped with specific safety features (though the exact features are not detailed in the provided text). The bill updates training requirements to include recognizing life-threatening emergencies and proper procedures for students with disabilities, requiring twice-yearly training and certification for all personnel. These changes apply to school bus contractors and school districts in New Jersey, with implementation tied to a pending training program update. The bill includes funding (an appropriation) for these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2565) expands access to closed-circuit television testimony for victims and witnesses specifically in human trafficking cases. It allows courts to order such testimony after finding clear evidence that testifying in person would cause severe emotional distress, with safeguards ensuring the victim/witness testifies under oath, faces cross-examination, and their demeanor remains observable. The law permits victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges to request this testimony, and includes special confidentiality rules for minors (under 18) regarding audio recordings of their testimony. This directly affects human trafficking victims and witnesses in New Jersey criminal trials, making it easier for them to participate without facing traumatic in-person courtroom settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary "provisional" license for new motor vehicle dealers in New Jersey, allowing them to operate while meeting full licensing requirements. It directly affects new dealers who are setting up their businesses, giving them a short-term license before they must comply with all standard rules (like maintaining an established business location and selling a minimum of four new vehicles annually). The key mechanism creates a new license category under existing law, enabling provisional operation while dealers fulfill requirements such as having proper documentation and business infrastructure. This change streamlines entry for new dealers without altering the core standards for full licensure.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates time limits for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, allowing criminal charges to be filed at any time. For civil cases where victims sue traffickers, it extends the filing deadline to 10 years after the crime occurred, or until the victim turns 18 if they were a minor at the time, or two years after discovering the harm. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking (who gain extended legal options) and individuals accused of trafficking offenses (who face no time limit for prosecution). It modifies existing laws to remove fixed time periods for both criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits related to human trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to use $65.55 million in state funds to provide loans for transportation infrastructure projects during the 2027 fiscal year. The legislation specifically allows the bank to lend money to local government units for construction costs and includes a provision for up to $1 million in loans that may be forgiven for planning and design work if certain construction milestones are met. Additionally, the act permits the bank to increase its available funds to cover specific operational expenses, such as bond issuance costs and reserve requirements, ensuring the bank has the necessary resources to manage these loans. Ultimately, the measure directly affects local governments seeking financing for road, bridge, and transit improvements by establishing the legal framework and funding source for these loans.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows online news websites to publish required legal notices by meeting specific traffic thresholds instead of relying solely on traditional print circulation numbers. To qualify, an online publication must demonstrate a certain number of monthly unique visits based on its geographic reach, such as 4,000 visits for a municipality, 50,000 for a county, or 350,000 for the entire state. The legislation also mandates that these sites remain free to access, archive notices for at least one year, and display their traffic statistics clearly to the public. Additionally, the bill extends a grace period for newspapers that are currently eligible to continue meeting these standards during the transition.

Maddy summaryS 3387 allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer part of their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester at New Jersey public colleges. Under this bill, a spouse can receive the full benefit (100%, up to 16 credits), while a dependent child receives half (50%, up to 8 credits). To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled as a student and have applied for other available financial aid, and the member can only transfer the benefit to one person.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to two years of volunteer service at their local fire department. The policy amends New Jersey's education rules to accept fire academy completion as fulfillment of specific graduation requirements, directly affecting eligible students in participating school districts. It does not replace existing junior firefighter auxiliary programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in public places like restaurants, stores, and facilities to train staff about the legal rights of people with disabilities to bring service or guide dogs. Employers must provide training based on a state-created pamphlet explaining relevant state and federal laws (including the Americans with Disabilities Act), or use approved free training resources. Each employee must receive a printed copy of the pamphlet and sign an acknowledgment form confirming they reviewed it. The law takes effect immediately.