Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2313, updates New Jersey law to impose criminal penalties when a minor (defined as under age 18) accesses a poorly stored loaded firearm at a premises controlled by an adult, resulting in injury or death. It requires adults to store firearms unloaded in locked containers, secure locations, or with trigger locks to avoid liability; failure to do so becomes a criminal offense only if harm occurs. Penalties escalate based on outcomes: third-degree crime (up to 5 years) for bodily injury, second-degree (5-10 years) for serious injury, and first-degree (10-20 years) for death. The law maintains existing storage defenses but shifts from disorderly persons offenses to criminal charges when harm results, with strict liability (no need to prove negligence) for the adult responsible for the firearm's storage.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySCR 56 proposes changing New Jersey's Constitution to allow Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges to earn compensation for certain outside activities, currently prohibited under state law. The bill would let the Supreme Court establish rules for permissible activities (like speaking or writing) and cap annual earnings from these activities at 15% of a judge's salary. It specifically bans honorariums - payments for appearances, speeches, or articles directly tied to a judge's official role. This change would require voter approval through a constitutional amendment process. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 574) requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to create and maintain a publicly accessible list of all its programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The list must include detailed descriptions of services (such as federal waiver programs, self-directed services, and community care options), eligibility requirements (including Medicaid needs and care levels), and information on transitional planning and guardianship. DDD must make the list available online, in print upon request, and update it regularly to reflect current offerings. This directly affects families and individuals seeking support by providing clear, centralized information about available services and how to qualify.
Maddy summaryS 434 prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops and their customers. It repeals the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act" and requires pet shops to collaborate with animal shelters, rescues, and pounds to facilitate adoptions instead of selling animals. The bill defines "pet shop" separately from breeders and pet dealers, ensuring the law does not restrict responsible breeders or other sellers, but bans pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers for sale. The legislation aims to reduce sales of animals from puppy mills and increase adoptions from shelters, which the bill cites as having "unadopted" animals available.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2347) excludes certain military compensation from New Jersey's gross income tax for residents who serve outside the state. It directly affects New Jersey-domiciled service members stationed or deployed out-of-state for at least six months during a taxable year. The exclusion covers military pay, mustering-out payments, and housing/subsistence allowances received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey National Guard on State active duty. The policy change means eligible service members will not pay New Jersey income tax on these specific military benefits. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after its enactment date.
Maddy summaryS 650 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program promoting building electrification and decarbonization within one year of enactment. It directs electric utilities to develop multi-year plans meeting BPU-established greenhouse gas reduction targets, focusing on switching to efficient electric equipment like heat pumps for water/space heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits, and include specific methods such as replacing gas systems with electric alternatives. This bill directly affects electric utilities across New Jersey and aims to reduce emissions while aligning with the state's energy master plan.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for accidental disability benefits under New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to cover certain state employees. It directly affects workers employed at State psychiatric institutions or correctional facilities after January 2003 but before becoming PERS members, who sustained injuries or illnesses during those jobs. The key provision deems such injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee later joins PERS without interruption in the same employment. This allows them to apply for benefits based on those pre-membership work-related injuries, rather than requiring membership at the time of injury. The change specifically applies to traumatic injuries sustained while performing duties related to patient care or security at these facilities.
Maddy summaryS 2359, the "Mattress Stewardship Act," requires mattress producers (including manufacturers and importers) to join a nonprofit stewardship organization within one year of the law's effective date. These organizations must create a program to manage discarded mattresses through environmentally sound methods like recycling, renovation, or proper disposal, covering all mattresses sold in New Jersey regardless of brand. Retailers and renovators selling mattresses must also register with the stewardship organization. The program will be funded by a small fee added to mattress purchases ("stewardship assessment"), ensuring costs for collection and disposal are covered without direct consumer fees.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the mandatory retirement age for several judicial positions in New Jersey from 70 to 72 years. It directly affects Supreme Court Justices, Superior Court Judges, Tax Court Judges, Administrative Law Judges, Workers' Compensation Judges, and county prosecutors. The bill amends existing state law to change the retirement age in statutes governing these courts and judicial retirement systems. This is a straightforward policy change to the age requirement for mandatory retirement, with no other substantive alterations to the positions' duties or benefits described in the provided text.
Maddy summaryS 2315, the "Consumer Legal Funding Act," regulates companies that provide cash advances to New Jersey residents with pending lawsuits in exchange for a share of future settlement proceeds (if won). It directly affects consumers with active legal claims and the companies offering these "funding" agreements. Key provisions require contracts to include a 5-day cancellation right (without penalty), mandate written attorney verification that fees are paid contingently, and ban companies from paying referral fees to lawyers or medical providers. The bill also prohibits funding companies from controlling legal cases or using funds to pay court costs or attorney fees. The bill was introduced in the New Jersey Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Commerce Committee.