Sen. John McKeon

Maddy summaryS 2287 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study whether to require stronger materials and designs for electric utility poles and transmission towers. The study will examine options like concrete/steel poles, higher-grade wood poles, improved tower standards, taller poles for transformers, and better foundation designs. It must consider costs to ratepayers and utilities, consult other states with similar standards, and align with national safety codes. The BPU must submit findings and recommendations within six months. This bill does not change current requirements but aims to improve infrastructure resilience during severe weather events like hurricanes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2311) extends the validity period of New Jersey's firearms purchaser identification cards from their current term to four years. It requires all applicants for these cards or handgun purchase permits to complete mandatory training before issuance. The bill also updates procedures for transferring firearms to heirs or legatees (though specific new procedures aren't detailed in the provided text). These changes directly affect New Jersey residents seeking firearm licenses or permits, as they alter application requirements and card validity. The legislation amends existing firearm regulations under N.J.S.2C:58-3.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain group homes for adults with developmental disabilities (receiving Tier C services from New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities) to install video-only electronic monitoring devices in common areas **only when all residents and their legal representatives consent**. Key provisions include: no forced consent for current residents, written consent from new residents, annual reminders of the right to request monitoring, and the ability for residents to withdraw consent anytime. Devices must be unobstructed, recordings kept for 90 days, and residents/representatives can access footage upon request. The bill ensures monitoring is consent-based and does not affect housing placement for those who decline.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2294) provides a $3,000 annual deduction from gross income for eligible taxpayers who care for elderly relatives. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income individuals: single filers earning under $35,000 or joint filers earning under $50,000 who provide over half the support for a relative aged 70+ living with them for at least six months each year. The deduction reduces taxable income, lowering the tax burden for qualifying caregivers. It applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryS 2257 requires all health insurance plans and Medicaid in New Jersey to cover family planning and reproductive health care services - including abortion, contraception, counseling, and related medical care - without cost-sharing. It directly affects health insurers, Medicaid, and medical providers by mandating comprehensive coverage and prohibiting medical malpractice insurance companies from penalizing providers for offering legally protected reproductive care. The bill defines covered services to include abortion procedures, emergency care, genetic testing, and well-baby care, while explicitly excluding childbirth. This policy aims to remove financial barriers, particularly for low-income individuals, people of color, and those in rural areas, ensuring access to reproductive health services without insurance restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create a model ordinance for siting warehouses within 36 months, including rules for distribution centers and similar facilities. Municipalities must then update their local zoning and master plans to align with this model, using a $5 million fund in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to support implementation. It directly affects local governments (which must revise planning rules) and warehouse developers (which will follow standardized siting guidelines). The law standardizes land-use planning for warehouses without altering existing zoning authority.

Maddy summaryS 655 requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approval within 180 days of enactment. It directly affects utilities (who must file tariffs) and commercial EV charger operators (who gain protection from certain fees). The bill mandates tariffs must use alternative rate structures without demand charges, ensure cost equity between commercial and residential rates, remain technology-neutral, and encourage investment in EV charging infrastructure. Utilities cannot charge demand or subscription fees on direct current fast charging facilities for 60 days after enactment without BPU-approved tariffs.

Maddy summaryS 2327 regulates how social care information is handled in systems that connect people to support services. It prohibits participating organizations (like healthcare providers, housing agencies, nonprofits, and tech vendors) from selling or sharing social care information stored in "Closed-Loop Referral Systems" (CLRS), which are platforms that track referrals for non-medical needs like housing, food, or transportation. The bill also bans using this information for any purpose beyond its original intent, with violators facing $1,000 civil penalties per violation. This directly affects entities managing CLRS systems across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's rules for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions. It requires companies in fossil fuel production (like refineries and pipelines), electricity generators (including imported power), and gas utilities to report emissions annually, using a 20-year time horizon for calculating global warming impacts. The reporting must show progress toward state targets: maintaining emissions at 1990 levels by 2020, reducing them 50% from 2006 by 2030, and cutting them 80% by 2050. The Department of Environmental Protection will establish these reporting rules within 18 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all riders and operators of electric bicycles and scooters in New Jersey to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet meeting state safety standards. It directly affects anyone using these vehicles as transportation, including both riders and operators. The law mandates helmet use to reduce head injury risks identified in crash data, with fines of up to $25 for a first violation and $100 for repeat offenses. The bill does not apply to traditional bicycles or vehicles exceeding defined low-speed limits. It is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.