Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryS 2696 requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to award academic credit to undergraduate students who volunteer as certified emergency responders. It applies to those who served within five years of enrollment (or concurrently) with qualifying organizations like fire companies, ambulance squads, or emergency management offices, and provide proof of hours worked. Credit is calculated based on volunteer hours and applied toward relevant coursework, with the state's Higher Education Secretary developing standardized credit recommendations. The bill does not affect admission standards or require institutions to admit students.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act to allow smoking in specific areas of casinos and casino simulcasting facilities approved by the Casino Control Commission. It permits smoking in no more than 25% of the casino floor or simulcasting facility, only in clearly marked areas, with strict requirements: smoking areas must be separated by solid walls/doors, have independent ventilation, and cannot be within 15 feet of table game pits. The bill directly affects licensed casinos (with 150+ slot machines or equivalent) and simulcasting facilities (with 50+ dedicated seats or 10+ table games). These provisions override local smoking bans adopted after January 1, 2022, for these specific venues.

Maddy summaryS 2640 amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. The bill revises the definition of "labor organization" to include any group, such as labor unions or employee representation committees, that exists for collective bargaining or addressing workplace issues. This change adds "membership in a labor organization" to the list of protected characteristics under the law, meaning employers and labor organizations cannot discriminate against members in employment, housing, or other areas covered by the LAD. The policy change extends existing protections to labor organization members without altering other existing protections under the Law Against Discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Insurance Fraud Prevention Act to include self-insured entities and plans, which are organizations that pay for their own insurance claims rather than using traditional insurance companies. It makes it illegal to present false or misleading information in connection with claims under self-insured plans, including concealing events that affect benefit entitlements. Self-insured entities that suffer losses due to fraud can now sue for compensatory damages, including investigation costs and attorney fees. The bill also clarifies that self-insured entities can access relevant documents related to fraud investigations under certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 789) expands New Jersey's existing affordable housing preference for veterans to include certain South Korean veterans who served as U.S. allies in the Vietnam War. It amends definitions to include South Korean veterans who are New Jersey residents, citizens, and have a disability recognized by South Korea's equivalent of the U.S. Veterans Administration. These veterans will now qualify for the same housing preference priority as other disabled veterans - ranking second behind homeless veterans - under existing state housing programs. Applicants must still meet standard income requirements for each housing project, and the bill does not create new housing but extends current eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program" in New Jersey's Division of Fire Safety, appropriating $10 million annually to support volunteer fire companies. It creates a grant program allowing these companies to apply for funding to cover emergency equipment (like protective gear, tools, and maintenance) and operational costs - excluding new vehicles or buildings. To receive funds, fire companies must submit detailed applications outlining how they'll use the money, and must report back within a year on expenditures and impacts. The program directly affects all volunteer fire departments statewide, aiming to improve their operational sustainability through targeted financial assistance.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 683) requires courts to set monetary bail for carjacking charges based on the vehicle's value - equal to the vehicle's value for standard cases, or double that amount if combined with eluding police. It also mandates that juveniles aged 15 or older charged with carjacking must be tried as adults, unless the court determines it would be inappropriate after reviewing specific factors like the juvenile's maturity, prior record, and circumstances of the crime. The bill modifies existing juvenile justice procedures to expand automatic adult prosecution for carjacking, removing it from a previously listed exclusion but requiring prosecutors to justify waiver requests. These changes directly affect defendants charged with carjacking and juveniles involved in such offenses, altering both pretrial detention rules and court jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 674) exempts referrals to birthing facilities from existing rules that generally prohibit health care practitioners from referring patients to facilities where they or their immediate family have a financial stake. It directly affects doctors or medical groups that own or have ownership interests in birthing facilities licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health to provide birth and newborn care. The key provision adds birthing facilities to the list of exceptions in current law, allowing practitioners to refer patients to these facilities without needing to disclose their financial interest or meet other referral restrictions. This change simplifies the referral process for birthing services but does not alter disclosure requirements for other types of facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulatory framework for digital tokens in New Jersey, specifically targeting "open blockchain tokens" and virtual currency. It requires developers and sellers to file notices with the Department of Banking and Insurance ($1,000 fee) before offering tokens, and sets strict criteria for tokens to be classified as "consumptive" (for personal use like buying goods/services) rather than investment vehicles. Facilitators reselling tokens must verify compliance and stop sales if tokens fail to meet the consumptive standards. Violations could trigger penalties under existing banking laws. The bill directly affects token creators, sellers, and resellers operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for services to individuals with developmental disabilities aged 21-29 from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Currently, individuals transition from DCF's children's services to DHS at age 21; this bill delays that transition until age 30. The key mechanism requires DCF's Children's System of Care to determine eligibility and provide services for this age group, while DHS retains oversight of state developmental centers. This change directly affects young adults with developmental disabilities who will now receive services through DCF until age 30 instead of 21.