Sen. Bob Singer

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SCR 37) is a ceremonial gesture by the New Jersey Legislature to commemorate the 127th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), founded in 1896. It formally recognizes the JWV's historical role as the oldest continuously active veterans organization in the U.S., highlighting its advocacy for Jewish service members and contributions to military efforts, and directs copies of the resolution to the national JWV commander. The bill has no binding policy effect and does not alter laws or affect any group through new requirements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 663 creates a certification card for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or their guardians/caregivers. The card, issued by the Division of Developmental Disabilities, confirms the diagnosis and explains communication challenges (e.g., difficulty understanding directions, agitation from touch or stress). It must include emergency contact information for someone who can verify the diagnosis and assist communication. The card may be shown to law enforcement or emergency medical providers to improve interaction during crises. A reasonable fee, capped at issuance costs, may be charged, and specific medical documentation is required to obtain the card.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires campus police officers in New Jersey to wear body cameras that record audio and video during official duties, directly affecting campus security personnel at public and private schools. Exceptions include undercover work, administrative tasks, meetings with confidential informants, or when civilians request deactivation for medical emergencies. Cameras must activate during public encounters or calls for service, remain on until the encounter ends, and can be temporarily turned off in specific scenarios like school settings or healthcare facilities. Funding may come from forfeiture funds or other sources, as specified in the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Office of Inspector General specifically for New Jersey's veterans' facilities, directly affecting veterans' care facilities, their residents, and staff. The office will investigate complaints about facility safety and care quality, conduct inspections, and refer criminal cases to prosecutors, operating without oversight from the Department of Law and Public Safety. Key provisions include the Governor appointing a qualified inspector general for a five-year term, the power to subpoena witnesses and documents, and requiring state agencies to cooperate with investigations. The office aims to ensure safety and quality in facilities serving veterans, defined as state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities licensed for veterans' care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to create specific guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in two types of group homes: Level 1 (for minimal behavioral needs) and Level 2 (for persistent safety risks). It mandates that placement decisions must consider the individual's clinical needs, behavior frequency, and risk to others, with Level 2 reserved for those requiring intensive care due to serious safety concerns. Transfers between levels require meeting specific criteria, such as achieving behavioral goals after 18 months (for Level 2 to Level 1) or demonstrating persistent challenging behaviors (for Level 1 to Level 2). The guidelines must also ensure Level 2 homes support reintegration into less restrictive settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 692) allows New Jersey school districts to use existing "security categorical aid" funds - provided under the School Funding Reform Act - to hire school security personnel for both public and nonpublic schools within their districts. It amends the Secure Schools for All Children Act to explicitly state that security services may include hiring security staff, aligning with current Department of Education guidance. The change clarifies that districts can directly allocate this specific security funding for personnel, rather than only for equipment or technology. It does not create new funding or requirements, but formalizes a practice already permitted under existing rules. The bill applies statewide to all school districts serving students in nonpublic schools.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey officially recognizes the Sandhill Indian Tribe of Neptune for limited purposes to help the tribe access federal benefits and protections. The bill specifically assists the tribe in qualifying for federal education, job training, housing benefits, and protections for artwork sales, while also supporting traditional religious practices, burial site preservation, and selling handicrafts as "Indian made." This recognition does not grant any additional rights - such as gambling, tobacco sales, or land claims - and explicitly states it won't affect the tribe's federal recognition efforts or be used as evidence for gaming compacts. The limited state recognition is strictly confined to these defined purposes as outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all general acute care hospitals in New Jersey to add fentanyl testing to urine drug screenings used for diagnosing patient conditions. Currently, these screenings typically test for drugs like cocaine and some opioids but not fentanyl, which is a powerful synthetic opioid often mixed into other drugs and causes accidental overdoses. The law takes effect immediately but expires on January 1, 2028, aiming to help hospitals identify fentanyl exposure and provide timely treatment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 45) urges New Jersey's Governor and Attorney General to provide state assistance to municipalities dealing with unpermitted mass gatherings, commonly called "pop-up parties." It directly affects local governments struggling to manage spontaneous events on public streets, beaches, and parks that often involve large crowds, drugs, alcohol, and safety risks - like the 2022 Wildwood incident. The resolution does not create new laws but calls for state support to help municipalities prepare for and respond to these gatherings, referencing the New Jersey State League of Municipalities' 2022 request for action. It emphasizes that current permitting systems for planned events (like festivals) cannot address sudden, unpermitted crowds organized via social media.

Maddy summarySJR 25 establishes a temporary 15-member commission to study how hospitals in New Jersey and other states handle patient aftercare following naloxone (opioid antidote) administration. The commission will evaluate current hospital release procedures for these patients and recommend consistent, recovery-focused protocols for statewide implementation. It includes state health officials, hospital association leaders, and public members with expertise in addiction treatment or lived experience. The commission must submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which it will expire. This resolution does not enact new laws but creates a study group to inform future policy.