Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2352) amends New Jersey law to hold adults criminally liable if a minor under age 18 accesses a firearm they improperly stored and uses it to commit a crime. It upgrades the offense from a disorderly persons charge to a third-degree crime (3-5 years prison, up to $15,000 fine) by removing the "loaded" requirement, extending coverage to firearms in vehicles, and raising the minor’s age threshold from 16 to 18. If a minor uses the firearm unlawfully after gaining access due to improper storage, the adult facilitator faces a second-degree crime charge (5-10 years prison, up to $150,000 fine) under the "community gun" statute. The law directly affects parents, guardians, or anyone responsible for firearm storage in homes or vehicles where minors gain access.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to appropriate at least $10 million annually from the state General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July 1 after the bill takes effect. It directly affects local health departments by restoring a dedicated, unrestricted state funding source they previously relied on (before it was eliminated in 2011), which previously covered about 15% of their total funding. The bill reinstates the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977," allowing local health departments to use these funds flexibly to address community health needs, emerging threats, and other priorities - unlike current funding, which is often restricted to specific purposes like vaccines. This policy change would shift funding away from reliance on property taxes and narrowly designated federal/state grants.
Maddy summaryS 847 expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect the personal information of state legislators and their immediate families. The bill prohibits posting or sharing legislators' home addresses or unpublished phone numbers online, with violations punishable as crimes (third degree for intentional acts, fourth degree for reckless acts). It defines "covered persons" to include active, retired, or former legislators, their family members living with them, and certain public safety workers. The law exempts news media from liability for previously published information and allows disclosure only under court orders or official investigations. This is a procedural measure focused on privacy protections, not substantive policy changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's electric and gas public utilities to offer warranty programs covering the full cost to repair or replace specific home appliances, including water heaters, HVAC systems, refrigerators, and stoves. It directly affects utilities (not end-users), mandating they implement or maintain these programs with full coverage for covered appliances. Utilities must notify customers via bill inserts every billing cycle for one year after the bill takes effect, explaining program details and how to switch from existing contracts. The bill also prohibits utilities from passing implementation costs to customers through rate increases. The program applies to all contracts entered into after the effective date.
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 10% surtax on electric public utilities in New Jersey with annual profits exceeding $10 million. It directly affects large electricity providers that transmit and distribute power to end users within the state. All revenue from this surtax (excluding constitutionally dedicated funds) must fund state utility assistance programs, such as those helping low-income households with energy costs. The bill also prohibits these utilities from raising customer rates to cover the surtax cost.
Maddy summaryS 2259 codifies existing regulations that allow a broader range of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants trained since 2021) to perform abortions in New Jersey, while removing medically unnecessary facility requirements. The bill directly affects abortion providers and patients by eliminating outdated rules that increased costs and created barriers to care. Key provisions include updating statutory language to reflect current practices, removing facility requirements that don’t improve patient health, and ensuring consistent access to abortion services. This legislation secures existing access without expanding new provider types, focusing on streamlining current operational standards. The bill aims to make reproductive healthcare more affordable and accessible within New Jersey communities.
Maddy summaryS 2718 requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, and Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially raise income thresholds for utility bill assistance and energy efficiency programs within one year of a related BPU decision. The bill directs agencies to consider factors like program alignment, cost impacts, and public input when determining if higher income limits would better serve low- and moderate-income households. If thresholds increase for low-income energy efficiency programs, the BPU must adjust utility programs to ensure households qualify for only one program and expand access to moderate-income options. This directly affects residential customers seeking help with energy costs by potentially making more households eligible for assistance.
Maddy summaryS 2712 requires New Jersey's Division of Rate Counsel to hire an independent third party to study the feasibility and cost savings of de-privatizing electric and gas public utilities (companies serving residents) by exploring two options: public ownership or joint public-private operation. The study must analyze short- and long-term impacts - including environmental effects, service quality, ratepayer costs, and financial implications - and include input from utilities and public entities. It mandates all electric/gas utilities and public entities to cooperate with the study and requires a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the state budget to fund this study, which will inform future decisions but does not implement de-privatization itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to voluntarily contribute up to $70,000 annually to local nonprofit veterans' organizations. It requires these organizations to use funds for veteran services like housing assistance, mental health support, career transition programs, and transportation - directly benefiting veterans within the community. Local governments must receive annual financial reports detailing how the funds were spent on veteran resources. The bill amends existing law to specifically include veterans' organizations under funding provisions previously limited to emergency services groups.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1826) requires online platforms primarily distributing sexually explicit material (defined as "obscene material" under New Jersey law) to verify users are at least 18 years old before accessing such content. It applies specifically to "sexually oriented online entities" where more than one-third of revenue, user accounts, or content consists of obscene material - such as dedicated adult platforms or sites with significant adult content. The law mandates using approved age verification methods, including New Jersey’s driver’s license system, to confirm users’ age before access. It does not apply to general social media or non-explicit content, focusing solely on platforms meeting the defined threshold for obscene material. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.