Sen. Joe Pennacchio

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 32 is a procedural resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V Convention of States. It asks for a convention limited to proposing constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, reduce federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. This resolution serves as a continuing application, remaining active until at least two-thirds of state legislatures support the same request. The bill does not create new laws but formally requests Congress to convene a convention to address these specific constitutional limitations.

Maddy summarySR 24 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting the preservation of Columbus Day as both a federal and state holiday. It expresses the Senate's recognition of the holiday's historical significance since 1892 and its importance to Italian-American heritage, citing longstanding observances like the New York City parade. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders, the President, congressional members, and Italian-American organizations like Unico National, but does not alter current holiday status. It serves as a symbolic statement of support, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryS 1689, the "New Jersey Jobs Protection Act," requires all New Jersey employers to verify the work authorization of employees using the federal E-Verify system. It prohibits employers from intentionally or knowingly hiring individuals without legal work authorization in the U.S., directly affecting businesses across the state. Key provisions include imposing a $10,000 penalty per unauthorized worker for first violations, mandating quarterly E-Verify reports during a three-year probation period, and requiring investigations by the Attorney General or county prosecutors for complaints. The bill aims to prevent job competition with unauthorized workers and protect state unemployment funds, though it explicitly relies on federal verification systems rather than state enforcement. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryS 1350 requires New Jersey county clerks to provide political parties and candidates with at least 72 hours' notice of the date, time, and location for ballot position drawings. It permits a party member, candidate, or their designated representative to observe the drawing process and inspect the materials used - including paper slips, capsules, and ballot boxes - before, during, and after the drawing. These changes apply to determining candidate order on ballots for general and primary elections, including state and federal offices. The bill formalizes transparency measures without altering the physical drawing method.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits remote work for New Jersey State employees in career, senior executive, and unclassified service positions. It amends state law to explicitly ban remote work eligibility, overriding the existing 2022 Model Telework Pilot Program that allowed up to two remote days weekly. The Civil Service Commission can no longer establish rules permitting remote work for these employee categories. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1324) removes the minimum age requirement for retired law enforcement officers to obtain permits to carry handguns in New Jersey. Currently, retired officers must be at least 21 years old to qualify for such permits under state law. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:39-6 to eliminate this age restriction, directly affecting retired police officers, sheriffs, and other former law enforcement personnel. The change would allow retired officers of any age to apply for concealed carry permits without the current 21-year minimum, though they would still need to meet other standard requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summarySJR 32 directs New Jersey's Attorney General to investigate whether pedophile organizations use the internet to recruit members and encourage sex offenders to violate state laws protecting minors. The resolution specifically examines if these groups promote the legalization of adult-minor sexual relationships, which would undermine New Jersey's age-of-consent laws. The Attorney General must report findings to the Governor and Legislature within one year. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) with no direct impact on citizens, focusing solely on initiating an investigation into online activities of such organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for tick-borne diseases, including long-term antibiotic therapy (beyond four weeks) and ongoing testing. It directly affects insurers (hospital, medical, health service corporations, and individual policies) and policyholders diagnosed with conditions like Lyme disease (caused by *borrelia burgdorferi*), chronic infections, or other CDC-recognized tick-borne illnesses. Insurers cannot deny coverage solely because treatment is experimental or uses unapproved drugs, provided the treatment is recognized by medical guidelines or peer-reviewed research. The law applies to all relevant insurance contracts issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General specifically for New Jersey's veterans' facilities, including state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities serving veterans. The inspector general - appointed by the governor with Senate approval - will investigate complaints about care quality, conduct facility inspections, and subpoena witnesses or documents to ensure safety and standards. The office must operate independently from the Department of Law and Public Safety and can refer criminal matters to prosecutors. It directly affects veterans receiving care in these facilities, as well as facility staff and administrators through enhanced oversight.

Maddy summaryS 1308, the "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," bans most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on fertilization timing. It directly affects pregnant people seeking abortions beyond this point and healthcare providers performing them. Exceptions allow abortions if the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape (with reporting requirements) or incest involving a minor. The bill requires physicians to determine the unborn child’s probable age before an abortion and mandates neonatal care if a child survives an abortion under an exception. This legislation would take effect if passed, altering abortion access in New Jersey after 20 weeks.