Sen. Renee Burgess

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 69 denounces the practice of harvesting organs from Falun Gong practitioners and political prisoners in China. The resolution states this practice violates medical ethics and human rights, citing reports of organ harvesting from executed prisoners and prisoners of conscience since at least the early 2000s. It will be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of State, the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., and the UN representative as a formal statement of the New Jersey Senate's position. This non-binding resolution does not change laws but expresses official disapproval of the reported practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1551) would have authorized New Jersey municipalities and counties to establish civilian review boards to oversee police operations. It specified that boards must have at least seven members (appointed by mayors or county officials with community experience), require training before reviewing officer conduct, and mandate a quorum of four members. The bill included a $600,000 state appropriation to support these boards and required boards to document their work. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration in February 2024 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception allowing smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities under New Jersey's smoke-free law. It eliminates the specific exemption that previously permitted smoking in casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. As a result, smoking will now be banned in these venues, aligning them with the general smoking restrictions in public places. The change directly affects all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities operating under the state's regulations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1568 expands the state's child tax credit to cover children ages six to 11 (previously only children under six) and increases credit amounts over two years. It provides cash payments for eligible parents with children under 12, with credit amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000 per child depending on household income (capped at $80,000 annual taxable income). For 2023-2024, parents with a child aged 6-11 earning under $30,000 receive $500 per child, rising to $600 starting in 2025. The credit phases out gradually as income exceeds $30,000 and is fully eliminated above $80,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare a report on suicide prevention instruction in public schools. The council must review current programs, identify risk identification methods, evaluate best practices (including comparing to nearby states), and recommend improvements to mental health access in schools. To gather data, the council will develop a survey for schools (administered by the Department of Education in the 2023-24 school year), ensuring student privacy is protected before sharing results. The report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey insurers and health plans to cover ovarian cancer screening for women with symptoms or at higher risk, including annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood marker tests. It applies to most individual and group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans sold in the state. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions under the policy, without additional cost-sharing. The law applies to policies where insurers retain the right to adjust premiums.

Maddy summaryS 1494, named "George Floyd's Law," makes it a first-degree crime for law enforcement officers to knowingly choke another person by pressing on their throat, windpipe, or carotid artery, hindering breathing or blood flow to the brain. It directly affects police officers while they are performing their duties, prohibiting tactics like chokeholds that were used in George Floyd's death. Violating this law carries penalties of 10-20 years in prison, up to $200,000 in fines, or both. The bill takes immediate effect and aligns with New Jersey's 2020 ban on chokeholds except in deadly force situations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 714 permits students experiencing specific menstrual disorders - including dysmenorrhea (severe cramps), endometriosis, menorrhagia (heavy bleeding), or polycystic ovary syndrome - to attend school remotely. Students’ parents must submit a written request by the start of the school day and provide medical documentation if required by the school principal. Remote attendance counts as full classroom attendance for graduation and credit requirements. The bill directs the state education and health commissioners to create guidelines for schools on implementing this accommodation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from restricting how many professional education credits earned at regionally accredited two-year colleges can count toward teacher certification requirements. It specifically applies to credits accepted by state-approved college teacher preparation programs. The law prevents the Board from setting arbitrary limits on these credits, making it easier for aspiring teachers to use coursework from two-year colleges toward certification. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2164) changes liability rules for residential landlords operating through LLCs or corporations. It allows courts to hold individual members, managers, directors, or officers personally responsible for unpaid housing, building, or health code violations - like fines or penalties - when a property has at least three unpaid charges after 13 months. To trigger this, proper notice must be sent to all relevant parties (including owners and lienholders), and the individual must own at least 10% of the LLC. The bill directly affects landlords using corporate structures, making key individuals personally accountable for repeated code violations on residential properties.