Sen. Tony Bucco

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies definitions related to firearms used while hunting in New Jersey. It amends several hunting statutes to explicitly define "long gun" as including rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and also air guns, spring guns, or similar devices firing projectiles under 3/8 inch in diameter. The bill specifically prohibits hunters from carrying both a long gun and a bow simultaneously while in the woods or fields. It directly affects hunters transporting firearms, ensuring they understand which weapons qualify under "long gun" restrictions for deer hunting and other game. This is a clarification of existing law, not a new restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic secondary schools (grades 9-12) to conduct annual substance use screenings for every student using the SBIRT program. Screenings must be administered by certified school staff (like counselors or nurses) or licensed health professionals in nonpublic schools, with parents receiving written notice and the option to opt their child out. All student disclosures during screenings are treated as confidential, with strict privacy protections barring disclosure without consent, except in medical emergencies. Schools may opt out if they have equivalent substance abuse prevention programs approved by the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 810 would provide live kidney donors with free, lifetime health coverage through the state's Individual Health Coverage Program. The bill requires the state to pay all premiums for a gold-level plan (including prescription drugs) for donors via a new "Kidney Donor Insurance Fund" in the Department of Banking and Insurance. This coverage applies to all live kidney donations occurring after the bill's effective date, with no costs to donors or their employers. The fund will be funded by state appropriations or grants to cover all eligible donors' premiums.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that hire employees with developmental disabilities certified by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Businesses can claim a 10% credit on wages paid to eligible employees, capped at $3,000 per employee and $60,000 total per tax year for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. The credit cannot be claimed for the same employee if the business already uses a separate credit for employment at occupational training centers or sheltered workshops. It directly affects New Jersey employers who hire certified individuals with developmental disabilities.

Maddy summarySCR 42 proposes amending the New Jersey Constitution to allow public funds to be used for the historic preservation of churches and other places of worship. This constitutional change directly responds to a 2023 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling (Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Morris County) that found using taxpayer funds for church restoration under historic preservation programs violated the state's Religious Aid Clause. The amendment would permit counties and municipalities to use designated historic preservation funds for repairing or restoring religious sites with historical significance, consistent with existing local trust fund programs. It requires voter approval through a statewide referendum before taking effect.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 797 requires all mental health practitioners licensed under Title 45 - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete four hours of suicide prevention training. New license applicants must complete this training before licensure, while currently licensed practitioners must complete it within one year of the bill's effective date and every six years thereafter. Approved training programs, covering suicide prevention, assessment, and management, must be submitted to the Division of Consumer Affairs for inclusion on an official list. This law applies directly to licensed mental health professionals practicing in New Jersey, mandating ongoing training to enhance clinical suicide prevention capabilities.

Maddy summaryS 874 (New Jersey Senate Bill) exempts all property transfers to lineal relatives (such as children, parents, grandchildren, or legally adopted children) from the state's Transfer Inheritance Tax. This amendment to Section 54:34-2 of New Jersey law, effective January 1, 2022, removes tax liability for these transfers regardless of value, replacing previous tiered tax rates for such inheritances. The bill directly affects individuals receiving inherited assets from immediate family members through blood or legal adoption. It simplifies the tax process by eliminating the need to calculate tax on these transfers, as the exemption applies automatically to all lineal descendants and ancestors. The bill was introduced to the Senate Budget Committee in January 2024.

Maddy summaryS 851 allows Class Three special law enforcement officers to provide security at religious worship locations (such as churches, mosques, and synagogues) in addition to their current role at schools. It requires school districts to approve nonpublic school requests to use existing security funds (nonpublic security aid) for hiring these officers. The bill amends two existing laws to expand where Class Three officers may work and clarifies the funding process for nonpublic schools. Nonpublic schools and religious institutions are directly affected by this change, as it enables them to access security funding for officer appointments. The policy change focuses solely on authorization and funding procedures, not new security mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board post a public link for virtual attendance on its website and allows remote public comments during meetings with comment periods. The law directly affects residents seeking to participate in education policy discussions and the State Board of Education, which must implement these accessibility measures. The provisions take immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1278) requires New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) to provide public employers (like municipalities or school districts) with detailed health plan data upon request. It changes the frequency from "once every 24 months" to "once per calendar year" and allows employee representatives to access the data if the employer requests it. The data must include specific medical and prescription information, such as top prescribed drugs by volume and cost, utilization reports, and aggregated claims summaries, while strictly complying with HIPAA privacy rules to protect individual identities. This directly affects public employers participating in SHBP/SEHBP and their employees through transparency about health plan costs and usage.