Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2785 establishes doxxing as a criminal offense. It prohibits knowingly disclosing someone's personal identifying information without consent when done with the intent to cause fear, violence, stalking, or mental anguish - specifically when the disclosure creates a substantial risk of serious harm, stalking, or severe emotional distress to the person or their "close relation" (defined broadly to include family, household members, or people with significant personal/professional ties). The bill includes exemptions for good-faith disclosures about unlawful conduct to the public or law enforcement, and for reporting misconduct by officials or protected speech activities. Violations are punishable as a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) or a third-degree crime (3-5 years in jail or $15,000 fine) if serious harm results.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's state parks, forests, State-owned beaches, and MVC offices to remain open to the public if a state of emergency is declared due to the state failing to pass a general appropriation law by its constitutional deadline. During such an emergency, the state cannot charge parking fees at these locations, and designated staff at these facilities must be considered essential personnel. The bill applies specifically to parks, beaches, and MVC operations (including regional service centers and inspection facilities), ensuring continued public access and service during budget impasses. It takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryS 2633 requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to study how the COVID-19 pandemic affected attendance in elementary and secondary schools, and the Secretary of Higher Education to study its impact on college enrollment. The studies must analyze attendance and enrollment data from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, including remote learning impacts and whether specific student groups (e.g., by race, special education status, or income) were disproportionately affected. School districts, charter schools, and colleges must provide requested data, and findings must be published online within five days and summarized in reports to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days.
Maddy summaryS 2637 allocates $2.5 billion from federal government assistance (specifically from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) to New Jersey's unemployment compensation fund. The funds will pay back federal unemployment insurance loan advances before interest payments are due and increase the fund's balance. The bill modifies employer contribution rates for fiscal years 2022-2024, changing the rate determination from columns C, D, and E of the experience rating table to column B. This affects employers who pay into New Jersey's unemployment compensation fund during the pandemic emergency period. The bill does not change the overall tax burden but adjusts how contribution rates are calculated based on the fund's reserve ratio.
Maddy summaryS 2622 revises New Jersey's procedures for appointing temporary guardians for people who may be incapacitated but before a full guardianship hearing. The bill requires courts to find an "imminent risk of harm" before appointing a temporary guardian and mandates specific notice to family members, attorneys-in-fact, and healthcare representatives. Temporary guardians must maintain the person's assets in their current state, get court approval for asset sales, and provide itemized accounting for expenses made from the person's estate. The bill limits temporary guardianship to 45 days unless extended, and requires temporary guardians to undergo background checks and training if the appointment is extended.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2555 regulates residential mental health treatment facilities by establishing licensing requirements and care standards. It mandates that facilities provide 24/7 care consistent with ASAM's Level 3.5 standards for patients who don't need hospitalization, limit treatment duration to prepare patients for community care, and prohibit retrospective medical necessity reviews. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, demonstrate compliance with minimum standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use disorder facilities. The bill also exempts these facilities from New Jersey's certificate of need requirements for facility expansions or modifications.
Maddy summaryS 2584 amends New Jersey's Earned Sick Leave Law to require employers to provide earned sick leave to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that become "amendable" (rather than just those with fixed expiration dates). This directly affects workers under contracts governed by laws like the Railway Labor Act, where agreements remain in effect until amended. The bill ensures these employees gain sick leave benefits during the amendable period, not just after contract expiration. It preserves existing benefits in more favorable agreements and maintains collective bargaining rights, with the law taking effect immediately.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval - via a concurrent resolution - before adopting, amending, or readopting any education rules, including technical or substantive changes. It repeals the "Managing for Equity in Education" regulations (found in N.J.A.C.6A:7) that governed school equity practices. These changes directly affect public schools and districts by shifting rule-making authority from the State Board to the Legislature. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to give hiring preference to veterans for teaching positions when they are equally qualified as other candidates based on measurable criteria. It applies to all public school boards except those using New Jersey's civil service system (approximately nine districts), which follow separate rules for veteran preferences. The preference only applies to veterans who meet all standard hiring requirements, not to those who are less qualified. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2567) excludes minimum required retirement plan withdrawals (RMDs) from New Jersey's state gross income tax. It directly affects New Jersey residents aged 72 or older who receive mandatory annual distributions from qualified retirement plans, such as traditional IRAs or 401(k)s. The bill uses the federal definition of RMDs (from IRS Section 4974) to specify that these required withdrawals will no longer be taxed by New Jersey. This change reduces state tax burdens for seniors receiving RMDs, applying immediately to taxable years after enactment.