Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools serving as polling places to create security plans ensuring voters cannot access or interact with students during elections. The plan must include a locked, separate voting area if school is in session, provided the school can implement it. It also clarifies that police officers may be present at senior residential centers or schools used as polling places only if requested by the center/school, must wear plain clothes, and cannot interfere with voters. Schools must notify election officials seven days before an election if requesting police presence, and all such requests trigger a chain of notifications to county and state election offices. The security plan requirement takes effect for the first election after the bill's enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all vehicle and licensing services - such as driver's license renewals, registration, and vehicle ownership transfers - in person at every MVC agency location. It prohibits the MVC from mandating online service completion or requiring appointments for these services, ensuring walk-in customers can access all services at any location. The bill reverses pandemic-era changes that split agency functions and required appointments, returning to pre-pandemic operations. It directly affects New Jersey residents needing MVC services by eliminating barriers to in-person access. The law takes effect four months after enactment, with the MVC allowed to prepare in advance.
Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates a $500 fine for underage possession or consumption of alcohol or cannabis in specific locations like schools, public vehicles, or public places, making it a "disorderly person offense." It directly affects individuals under the legal age for purchasing these substances (18 for alcohol, 21 for cannabis in New Jersey) when found in those locations. The bill establishes a tiered approach: first violations receive a written warning, second violations include community service referrals, and third or subsequent violations require written warnings plus referrals to counseling or support services. It removes prior provisions that had eliminated these penalties, returning to a structured enforcement system focused on warnings and community resources rather than immediate fines for initial offenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime when a person was present during the offense, making it punishable by 5-10 years in prison (previously a third-degree crime with 3-5 years). It directly affects individuals convicted of entering or remaining in a home while occupants were present, requiring them to serve 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The law amends existing burglary statutes and enforces the "No Early Release Act" (NERA), which mandates this extended incarceration period for qualifying offenses. This change applies specifically to burglaries in occupied dwellings, not all burglary cases.
Maddy summaryS 2514 limits the Governor's authority to declare and extend states of emergency or public health emergencies in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of an emergency declaration beyond 60 days through a majority vote in both chambers, after the Governor provides written notice at least seven business days in advance. The bill also mandates that emergency declarations automatically terminate after 60 days unless renewed by the Legislature, and prohibits the Governor from issuing duplicate declarations for the same emergency without new legislation. This directly affects how the Governor and Legislature manage emergency powers, ensuring legislative oversight of emergency declarations.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2432) helps National Guard and Reserve members who served at least 30 days of continuous active duty after September 11, 2001, and before the end of Operation Enduring Freedom or Freedom’s Sentinel. It allows them to have their names placed on a future eligible list for police officer or firefighter jobs if they previously passed the civil service exam but couldn’t complete employment due to military service. The bill also ensures that if they met the age requirement when the original list was created, they’re treated as meeting it when placed on the new list.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2454) increases penalties for businesses, public facilities, NJ Transit, and ride-sharing companies that deny access to service dogs and their handlers. Currently, first-time violators face civil fines ($250), but this bill makes the first violation a criminal "petty disorderly persons offense" (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine), with repeat offenses becoming more severe (up to 1 year jail for second+ violations). Penalties collected fund law enforcement training on service dog access rights. The bill applies to violations of existing laws covering public accommodations (P.L.1971, c.130), NJ Transit (P.L.2016, c.25), and transportation network companies (P.L.2017, c.26).
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 963) requires New Jersey health insurance carriers to provide policyholders with simplified "explanation of benefits" (EOB) forms for every claim. The first page of each form must clearly list the insured's name, provider, service date, claim amount, payments made by the insurer and the patient, and plain-language explanations for payment decisions or denials. It mandates all information be in 12-point font using simple, understandable language - avoiding jargon - consistent with New Jersey's existing insurance policy simplification law. The bill directly affects health insurers (who must implement the changes) and policyholders (who receive clearer, more transparent billing information). If passed, it would take effect 90 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 316 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons (including non-U.S. citizens, foreign-owned corporations, and entities controlled by foreign entities) from acquiring or owning agricultural land in the state after the bill's effective date. Existing foreign owners must sell their land within five years, transferring ownership to a U.S. entity while requiring the land to remain in agricultural use. The bill allows limited exceptions for land acquired through debt collection, inheritance, or security interests, but mandates that such land also be sold within two years. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to annually report on foreign ownership trends, acreage, and land use to the Governor and Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of New Jersey's Revised Statutes to redirect $1 per traffic violation fine to existing state funds, including the Body Armor Replacement Fund and the New Jersey Spinal Cord Research Fund, and $3 per fine to the Forensic DNA Fund. It does not establish a new fund for cancer or cardiovascular screenings as suggested by the title, nor does it appropriate $20 million for such purposes. The provided bill text focuses solely on reallocating fine revenues to existing funds, with no mention of health screenings for law enforcement officers. The title and description provided do not align with the actual content of the bill text.