Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3596 increases penalties for denying access to service dogs and their handlers from civil fines to criminal charges. Businesses, public facilities, NJ Transit, and transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services) that block access now face a petty disorderly persons offense (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine) for a first violation, and a disorderly persons offense (up to one year jail or $1,000 fine) for repeat violations. Fines collected fund law enforcement training on service dog access rights under New Jersey's disability laws. The bill updates existing statutes to strengthen enforcement of access protections for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires criminal history background checks for individuals applying for or renewing licenses in specific health care professions, specifically adding applied behavior analysts, creative arts therapists, and dietitians to the list of professions requiring these checks. Background checks must be conducted as part of the licensing application process, and licensing boards may deny or revoke licenses based on criminal history that meets existing standards. The requirement does not apply to nurse aides, personal care assistants, or homemaker-home health aides, who are already covered by other background check laws. This change expands existing background check rules to new health care fields without altering current exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum amount the New Jersey Life and Health Guaranty Association can pay to policyholders for net cash surrender or withdrawal values on certain annuity policies from $100,000 to $250,000 when an insurance company becomes insolvent. It directly affects annuity policyholders who would otherwise face limits on accessing the cash value of their policies if their insurer becomes insolvent. The key provision revises the financial coverage limits in New Jersey's guaranty association law for these specific types of annuity contracts. This change applies to annuity policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date, which is 90 days following enactment.

Maddy summarySJR 126 designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" in New Jersey. The resolution commemorates Josh Gibson, a legendary Negro Leagues baseball player and Hall of Famer, whose career statistics were integrated into Major League Baseball history in 2024. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day to recognize Gibson's contributions and the impact of the Negro Leagues on baseball. This is a commemorative resolution with no new policy or financial impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all degree-seeking students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to complete a course on American government and civic engagement before graduating. Starting with the 2024-2025 academic year, public institution governing boards must implement this requirement. The law aims to equip students with knowledge for making informed civic decisions about local, state, national, and global issues. It directly affects students pursuing degrees at institutions like Rutgers University, NJIT, and community colleges across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2937 requires state agencies and organizations receiving state funds to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and the United Nations' working definition of Islamophobia in their existing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) policies. The bill mandates that these specific definitions - IHRA's 2016 definition of antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred" and the UN's definition of Islamophobia as "fear, prejudice, and hatred of Muslims" - be incorporated into all relevant DEIB policies. This applies to both state agencies and any entities receiving state financial support, ensuring these definitions guide policy implementation without creating new policies. The requirement takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, including its "contemporary examples," for use by state institutions. It requires state entities to consider this definition when reviewing or investigating potential anti-Semitic discrimination or bias crimes. The bill appropriates $100,000 to fund a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office, promoting the state's bias crimes reporting hotline and resources for identifying and reporting anti-Semitic incidents. The campaign aims to increase public understanding and reporting of bias crimes, particularly affecting Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in New Jersey. The bill explicitly states it does not diminish First Amendment rights or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes rules for selecting, instructing, and overseeing commissioners who would represent the state at an Article V convention for proposing U.S. constitutional amendments. It sets eligibility requirements for commissioners, including being a New Jersey resident for at least three of the last five years, having constitutional law expertise, and not having certain criminal convictions or federal government ties. The bill prohibits commissioners from supporting changes to the one-state-one-vote convention rule or amendments altering specific constitutional guarantees like the Bill of Rights, and requires commissioners to follow instructions from the legislature. Commissioners who exceed their authority would face criminal penalties, including a third-degree crime charge, and the bill establishes an advisory committee to monitor compliance with these rules.

Maddy summarySCR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. The deduction would rise to $1,000 in 2025, $1,500 in 2026, $2,000 in 2027, and $2,500 starting in 2028, remaining at that level annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses (who qualify after the veteran's death). The amendment would adjust the existing tax benefit without altering other eligibility rules or requiring new administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Student Support Act creates a tax credit program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to claim 75% of their contributions (minimum $100) to approved student support organizations that award scholarships. These scholarships are for New Jersey students from low-income families (household income not exceeding 2.6 times the federal reduced-price lunch guidelines) attending participating nonpublic schools that meet specific eligibility criteria. The program limits total annual tax credits to $37.5 million and requires scholarship organizations to spend no more than 5% of contributions on administration. The bill also establishes a separate $37.5 million annual grant program for public school districts with high poverty rates to fund student support services like tutoring and counseling.