Maddy summarySCR 30 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit most emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor to a 14-day period (ending on the 15th day after issuance), unless the Legislature approves a longer duration through a concurrent resolution. This would directly affect the Governor's emergency authority during declared states of emergency, requiring legislative review for extensions beyond 14 days. Key exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency actions under disaster laws, federal compliance orders, executive branch-only directives, National Guard-related orders, and orders issued under other statutes with longer terms. The amendment does not change current practice for these exempted orders but would establish a fixed time limit for all other emergency measures.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts birthing facilities from existing restrictions that generally prohibit healthcare practitioners from referring patients to facilities where they, their family, or their group has a financial stake. It specifically adds birthing facilities licensed for birth and newborn care (under NJ law) to the list of exceptions in current law. Practitioners with ownership or financial interests in birthing facilities can now refer patients there without violating the referral restrictions, while still needing to disclose any financial interest to patients as required for other exceptions. This change applies only to birthing facilities and does not alter disclosure requirements for other healthcare services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges to provide specific academic accommodations for students serving in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve). It gives these students options like pass/fail grades, incompletes, or course withdrawals without academic penalty if military duties interfere with classes. Institutions must create clear policies, notify students of their rights, and develop academic contracts with professors to address missed coursework. Additionally, colleges must accept up to 30 credits for undergraduate and 12 for graduate programs based on military training evaluations. The bill directly affects military-affiliated students and all New Jersey higher education institutions.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, which provides up to $4,000 in scholarships to eligible high school graduates attending county colleges. To qualify, students must earn a "School Counts" certificate by meeting strict attendance (95%+), academic (C+ GPA), and graduation requirements during high school, including completing Algebra I. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees up to the full cost of attendance per year (capped at $2,000 annually), requires students to apply for other aid first, and is funded through state appropriations, college contributions, and private donations. It directly affects New Jersey high school graduates who meet the School Counts criteria and participating county colleges.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2979 bans the retail sale of flavored cigarettes (including menthol and clove, which were previously exempt), non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches. It prohibits retailers from selling or distributing any tobacco product with a characterizing flavor other than tobacco (e.g., fruit, mint, candy, or menthol), excluding naturally occurring flavors. Violations incur civil penalties starting at $250 for the first offense, with potential license suspension for repeat violations. The bill updates existing 2008 law to close loopholes and applies to retailers, not individual consumers.
Maddy summarySCR 65 is a symbolic resolution passed by New Jersey's Senate condemning Hinduphobia - defined as prejudice or hatred against Hinduism and Hindus - and anti-Hindu bigotry. It declares New Jersey a welcoming state for Hindu Americans, recognizing their contributions to U.S. society and citing documented hate crimes against the community. The resolution has no binding legal effect but directs copies to the governor, New Jersey's congressional delegation, and the Hindu American Foundation. It serves as a formal statement of support, not a policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3188) requires county recording officers (like county clerks or registers of deeds) to create a property alert service in partnership with the Motor Vehicle Commission. It directly affects owners of real property and manufactured homes by providing notifications within seven days when legal claims like liens, deeds, or other documents affecting their property are recorded. Property owners can voluntarily sign up to receive alerts via email or mail, with counties allowed to charge a $10 annual fee per property to cover service costs. The service aims to prevent fraud by alerting owners to recorded documents that could impact their property rights. The bill is pending before the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1319) expands the definition of "riot" to include groups of three or more people acting together with violent conduct, rather than the previous four-person threshold. It creates two new offenses: "mob intimidation" (threatening others to join violent groups) and "cyber-intimidation by publication" (online threats during riots), while increasing penalties for severe riot-related crimes like property damage over $5,000 or causing serious injury. The bill also adds protections for law enforcement, firefighters, and school staff by elevating assaults against them to higher offense levels. These changes apply to individuals committing or inciting riots, with the goal of strengthening responses to violent public disturbances while explicitly preserving constitutional protections for peaceful protests.
Maddy summaryS 698 allows smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities (like those with slot machines or table games) under strict conditions, while maintaining New Jersey's broader smoke-free air rules. It permits smoking in no more than 25% of the facility area, only in clearly marked zones with specific ventilation requirements (separately exhausted systems), and excludes areas near table game pits. Casinos must separate smoking areas from non-smoking zones with solid walls or windows and cannot assign employees to work in smoking areas unless they choose to. This bill directly affects casino operators and simulcasting facilities approved by New Jersey's Casino Control Commission.
Maddy summaryS 1607 (New Jersey) prohibits health insurance carriers (including companies, HMOs, and health service corporations) from restricting coverage based on the duration of anesthesia services before, during, or after medical or surgical procedures. The bill defines "anesthesia services" using standard medical coding (AMA’s Current Procedural Terminology codes) and requires insurers to cover these services without time-based limits. It applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed 90 days after enactment. This directly affects insurers operating in New Jersey and ensures continuous coverage for anesthesia during all phases of care.