Sen. Teresa Ruiz

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special license plates for vehicles registered in the state that display "The Borinqueneers" along with imagery representing the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army. Vehicle owners can apply for these plates by paying a $50 application fee and an additional $10 annual fee, which are deposited into a dedicated fund. The collected fees, after covering administrative costs, will be used to support programs benefiting veterans of the United States Army through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also establishes procedures for designing the plates, managing the fund, and coordinating between relevant state agencies to implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Human Services to help residents meet new work and community engagement requirements for NJ FamilyCare health insurance and SNAP food assistance programs. It requires the state to create or update online tools and mobile apps that connect eligible individuals with approved volunteer opportunities and simplify the process of submitting proof of completed hours. The legislation specifically targets non-disabled adults aged 19-64 for NJ FamilyCare and expands SNAP work requirements to include people up to age 64 and those with dependent children over 14. By improving access to volunteer resources and streamlining documentation, the bill aims to help beneficiaries comply with federal mandates while maintaining their access to these safety-net programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers in Newark and Paterson who were promoted to sergeant after the February 2019 exam to keep their promotions as permanent appointments instead of requiring them to retake the test. It overrides a previous court order that had made these promotions conditional and threatened to invalidate them, which could have led to demotions for over 100 officers. The legislation applies only to officers in these two cities who were promoted based on that specific exam and ensures their personnel records reflect their original appointment dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a web-based tool and mobile app to help residents meet new work requirements for NJ FamilyCare and SNAP programs. It directs DHS to partner with the Governor's Office of Volunteerism to build a searchable database of approved volunteer opportunities that count toward the 80-hour monthly community service requirement for NJ FamilyCare (affecting 1.8 million recipients) and expanded SNAP work rules (affecting 425,000 households). The system will allow beneficiaries to find, register for, and document volunteer hours online, with annual audits to verify compliance. The law aims to prevent beneficiaries from losing coverage due to administrative hurdles under federal changes to these safety-net programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health clubs in New Jersey to provide written contracts that clearly state the total payment obligation upfront and disclose any security (like bonds or deposits) held to protect members. It limits health club service contracts to a maximum of three years and gives buyers a three-day window to cancel contracts without penalty by phone, mail, or online. If canceled within this period, members must receive a full refund within 30 days. The bill also mandates that contracts include specific cancellation notices in bold type, detailing how to cancel and the refund timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the intentional addition of carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, flame resistant chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to synthetic hair products sold in New Jersey. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these products, which include synthetic hair made from materials like polyester or nylon. The law prohibits these substances based on federal agency designations (e.g., WHO Group 1 carcinogens or EPA Group A carcinogens) and makes violations punishable by fines up to $20,000 per offense. The ban takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act," which sets new standards to protect voting rights. It requires courts to interpret election laws liberally in favor of voters, particularly protecting racial, color, and language-minority groups (defined as "protected classes"), ensuring their equal access to voting and registration. The Attorney General is designated as the chief enforcer to investigate violations, issue guidance, and litigate cases related to voting rights under this law. Key provisions include prohibiting unnecessary voting barriers and mandating that election policies be narrowly tailored to serve compelling government interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 451) prohibits landlords and property management software from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental pricing and supply, which the legislature states has contributed to New Jersey's housing affordability crisis. It defines a "coordinator" as any service (including software) that collects pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or lease terms - effectively enabling price-fixing. Landlords are banned from subscribing to such services, and coordinators are prohibited from facilitating agreements that restrict competition among rental property owners. The law directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers operating in New Jersey's rental market, aiming to increase price competition and reduce rent burdens for renters.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2565) expands access to closed-circuit television testimony for victims and witnesses specifically in human trafficking cases. It allows courts to order such testimony after finding clear evidence that testifying in person would cause severe emotional distress, with safeguards ensuring the victim/witness testifies under oath, faces cross-examination, and their demeanor remains observable. The law permits victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges to request this testimony, and includes special confidentiality rules for minors (under 18) regarding audio recordings of their testimony. This directly affects human trafficking victims and witnesses in New Jersey criminal trials, making it easier for them to participate without facing traumatic in-person courtroom settings.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.