Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryS 760, the "Mold Safe Housing Act," requires landlords in New Jersey to address mold hazards in rental properties within 72 hours of tenant notification. It mandates inspections before occupancy changes for certain buildings and creates a process where tenants can request mold remediation, with landlords facing financial liability if they fail to comply. The bill establishes a relocation program for tenants in unsafe housing, allowing the state to seek reimbursement from negligent landlords for relocation costs. This law directly affects renters in mold-prone housing, landlords, and local housing authorities, focusing on health safety through enforceable cleanup deadlines and financial accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Human Services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities aged 21-30 who meet specific criteria (e.g., no aggressive behaviors, no dual diagnoses of mental illness and disability). It provides participants with at least six hours weekly of community-based activities, including job skills training, social workshops, mentorship, recreation, and volunteering. The program requires collecting participant data, reporting progress to parents/guardians (with consent), and submitting a final evaluation report to the legislature. The initiative is funded with up to $85,000 from the state budget, subject to approval by the Division of Budget and Accounting.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 808) requires all campus police officers in New Jersey to wear body-worn cameras that record audio and video during most official duties. It directly affects campus police officers at public and private schools (K-12) and university campuses, mandating camera use except during undercover work, meetings with confidential informants, administrative tasks, or when directed otherwise by a supervisor. Cameras must activate during public encounters, emergencies, or investigations but may be temporarily deactivated under specific circumstances like medical emergencies or privacy concerns in schools, healthcare facilities, or places of worship. Funding can come from state appropriations, forfeiture funds, or federal grants, as outlined in the amended statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force" within the Department of State to research anti-Semitism and develop recommendations for addressing it. The permanent task force will consist of 18 members, including legislative leaders, representatives from Jewish organizations (like Hadassah and the Anti-Defamation League), law enforcement, and public appointees. It directly affects Jewish communities in New Jersey, where 200 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 2018 (ranking the state third nationally), by focusing on research and policy solutions for hate crimes against Jewish people and institutions. The task force will operate under the state government to address rising anti-Semitism, as documented by FBI data showing Jewish-targeted attacks made up 58-60% of religious hate crimes in recent years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1523) removes specific time period and location requirements for New Jersey veterans to qualify for state benefits. It amends the definition of "veteran" to eliminate the need to have served during exact historical conflict dates (like WWII or Vietnam War periods) or in designated locations. Veterans who served in the Armed Forces but missed these specific windows - such as those with service outside the defined dates - will now qualify if they meet the general service duration requirement (e.g., 90 days active duty). The change specifically affects veterans who previously couldn’t claim benefits due to timing/location constraints, while maintaining exceptions for those with service-connected injuries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 792) allows out-of-state cosmetology and hairstyling professionals to use teaching experience instead of three years of practical work experience when applying for a New Jersey license. Specifically, applicants can submit proof of teaching in a licensed cosmetology school (approved by their home jurisdiction) to qualify for licensure without an exam. It directly affects individuals licensed in other states or countries seeking to practice in New Jersey. The change modifies existing licensing rules to recognize teaching experience as equivalent to practical experience under certain conditions. The bill does not alter other requirements like fees or certification from the applicant's home state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to offer same-day issuance of specific documents during in-person appointments at any MVC location, provided customers complete applications and pay fees. It directly affects drivers and residents seeking standard or REAL ID driver's licenses, permits, non-driver ID cards, commercial licenses, or vehicle registration. The law mandates MVC locations must have cameras and printers available to produce these documents immediately, rather than mailing them later. The requirement applies to 12 specific documents listed in the bill, including standard and REAL ID versions of licenses, permits, and registration certificates.

Maddy summaryS 2760 extends New Jersey's existing affordable housing preference for veterans to certain South Korean veterans who served as allies with U.S. forces in the Vietnam conflict. It amends state law to include South Korean veterans meeting specific criteria: they must be New Jersey residents/citizens, have served in Vietnam as U.S. allies, and hold a service-connected disability certification from South Korea. This adds them to the existing priority system for affordable housing, placing them behind homeless veterans (1st priority) and disabled veterans (2nd priority), but ahead of family caregivers (3rd priority). All applicants, including these veterans, must still meet the housing project's income requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 763) expands definitions of riot and disorderly conduct while increasing penalties for related offenses. It lowers the number of people needed to constitute a riot from five to four, creates a new crime for promoting violent assemblies, and enhances penalties for damaging public monuments (classified as a fourth-degree crime during riots). The bill also adds specific provisions criminalizing assaults on riot victims, including law enforcement, firefighters, and school staff, and clarifies that obstructing highways during disorderly conduct can be a fourth-degree crime. These changes directly affect individuals participating in public disturbances, monument vandalism, or violent assemblies in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 22 is a state legislative application requesting Congress to call an Article V Convention of States. It proposes three specific constitutional amendments: requiring a balanced federal budget, imposing term limits on members of Congress and Supreme Court justices, and changing how electoral votes are distributed (using Maine and Nebraska's Congressional District Method). If approved, these amendments would directly affect federal budget processes, congressional elections, Supreme Court appointments, and presidential election procedures. The resolution focuses on fiscal responsibility, increased accountability, and modernizing electoral representation without advocating for or against the changes.