Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 505) requires New Jersey electric utilities to reimburse residential customers for spoiled food and compromised prescription medicine during sustained power outages lasting over 48 hours after a major event (like storms or floods). Customers would receive up to $500 for spoiled food (with proof like receipts) or up to $1,000 for compromised medicine (with pharmacy proof). Utilities must create an online system for claims within 90 days of the law taking effect, and reimbursements must be processed within 30 days of a valid request. The bill applies directly to residential utility customers affected by qualifying outages, not to commercial users or non-utility-related spoilage.

Maddy summaryS 853 establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, targeting mental health support for middle and high school students. School districts applying for participation must submit detailed data on student demographics, current mental health staff, and existing services; six districts will be selected statewide across urban, suburban, and rural areas in all three geographic regions. The program requires selected districts to develop innovative methods to increase mental health awareness and teach stress-management coping skills. After two years, the Commissioner of Education must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.

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 summaryS 962 (New Jersey) bars the state health commissioner and other government entities from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to attend public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects all students enrolled in New Jersey's public primary and secondary schools by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. Key provisions state that no state entity may make SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment, effective immediately upon enactment. This policy change shifts school immunization requirements away from including the COVID-19 vaccine as a standard prerequisite.

Maddy summaryThis bill elevates impersonating a public servant (specifically a contact tracer during a public health or state emergency) from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. It also creates a new fourth-degree crime for fraudulently obtaining personal identifying information by falsely claiming to operate under a public health or state emergency, even if no emergency exists. The law directly affects individuals who impersonate officials or exploit emergency claims to steal sensitive data like Social Security numbers, biometric information, or financial details. It applies during declared emergencies or when someone falsely uses emergency authority to deceive people. The bill aims to protect vulnerable residents from exploitation during crises by strengthening penalties for these specific fraud and impersonation tactics.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4.32 billion from New Jersey's Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to all municipalities and counties for two key purposes: retiring existing local debt or funding capital projects (like infrastructure) without issuing new debt. It directs $3 billion to municipalities on an equal per capita basis (same amount per resident) and $1.32 billion to counties similarly. The funds, partially drawn from $1.97 billion in unallocated balances already in the fund, must be distributed within 30 days of enactment. The bill aims to provide immediate, efficient financial relief to local governments facing debt burdens.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% sales tax credit (capped at $100 per month) for small businesses in New Jersey that collect and remit sales tax. It directly affects independently owned businesses employing fewer than 20 full-time employees. Businesses claim the credit when filing their monthly sales tax return, and the state may require documentation to verify eligibility. Businesses that falsify documents to claim the credit face penalties of $100 for a first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses. The credit applies to tax payments made six months after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 859) changes how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations. It specifies that certain land types - such as conservation areas, small private parcels, historic sites, agricultural land with restrictions, recreational sites, and environmentally sensitive lands - must be excluded when determining a municipality's required affordable housing units. Once a municipality uses this adjusted calculation, it can rely on that figure for the full 10-year compliance period without needing to recalculate if new land becomes available. The bill aims to provide municipalities with planning certainty for affordable housing requirements under state law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 855) amends election law to clarify police presence near polling places. It specifically allows police officers to travel to, remain at, or work from a police station located within 100 feet of a polling place during election-related duties. The bill also permits Class Three special law enforcement officers (defined under existing law) to be assigned to polling places at public schools for security. These changes update prior restrictions that generally prohibited police from being within 100 feet of polling places, except for emergencies or specific election tasks. The bill directly affects election operations, police assignments, and polling place security protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to set aside state government contracts for businesses owned and operated by people with disabilities. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a person with a disability (as defined by the bill) and certified by approved organizations like Disability:IN. The Department of the Treasury will administer the program, requiring state agencies to award at least 3% of their contracts to these businesses - either through direct set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Contracting agencies can designate specific contracts as set-asides only when at least three qualified businesses bid at a fair price, with strict certification and dispute resolution procedures to ensure compliance.