Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures New Jersey State Police officers assigned to temporary "detachment from service" positions (like temporary reassignments to different locations) or "confidential" roles (such as protective services for government branches) cannot be excluded from promotion or penalized for those assignments. It requires that time spent in these roles counts toward officers' eligibility for promotion, just like regular duty time. The bill directly affects State Police officers who may be temporarily reassigned or placed in sensitive positions. It clarifies that such assignments should not disadvantage officers in career advancement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 114) urges Congress to pass the "Find It Early Act" (H.R. 3086), a federal bill introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. The resolution highlights that women with dense breast tissue - approximately half of women over 40 - face challenges detecting breast cancer early with standard mammograms, and additional screenings like ultrasounds or MRIs are often not fully covered by insurance. It emphasizes that requiring insurance coverage for these supplemental screenings would improve affordability and access for women at higher risk, potentially increasing early detection rates (where 5-year survival is 99%). The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Congress enact this existing bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Rent Control Enforcement Unit (RCEU) within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to address violations of local rent control laws. It directly affects residential tenants who can petition the RCEU to investigate suspected illegal rent increases, and landlords who may face enforcement actions. The RCEU can order rent reductions (to the lowest rate in the past year), impose penalties up to four months' rent, or allow tenants to break leases early. The unit will also provide a dedicated helpline and online portal for reporting violations, with $3 million initially allocated from the General Fund to support its operations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4538 requires school districts serving grades 4-12 to hold an annual, multi-day (3-5 days) bullying prevention program for all students. The program must cover six specific topics: bullying awareness, cyberbullying prevention, bystander intervention, empathy/inclusivity, peer relationships, and other district-approved content. School staff must also receive separate training as part of this program, which can satisfy existing training requirements. Districts unable to fund the program may apply for grants from the new Bullying Prevention Fund, and non-compliance risks withholding state aid. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 4539 requires New Jersey's State Police Superintendent to create a policy within six months that prioritizes recruiting women and minorities as civilian instructors and contractors at the State Police Academy. The policy must be reviewed annually and updated as needed to diversify the instructors training new recruits. The Superintendent must submit annual reports detailing the age, gender, race, and ethnicity of all civilian instructors/contractors and summarizing policy updates. This bill directly affects the composition of the State Police Academy's civilian teaching staff and the diversity of instruction received by police recruits.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey landlords from charging tenants more than $5 per month for online rent payments (e.g., credit/debit card or digital transfers). Landlords must cover any fees exceeding $5 or reimburse tenants within 10 days, and provide itemized receipts confirming compliance. It directly affects renters - especially fixed-income tenants - who pay rent digitally, preventing additional financial strain from "convenience fees." Violations carry $1,000 penalties per offense and allow tenants to sue for reimbursement plus legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a three-year pilot program for barbering licensure in four New Jersey cities (Elizabeth, Passaic, Paterson, and Perth Amboy) for an additional three years. It allows individuals who previously provided barbering services in another state or country (including places that don’t issue barbering licenses) to obtain a provisional permit to work while awaiting full licensure. The permit is valid for 120 days with possible extension if the license application remains pending, requiring applicants to work under a licensed barber in New Jersey and have at least three years of experience in a licensed shop. The program aims to streamline licensure for immigrant barbering professionals in these designated cities.

Maddy summaryS 4401 establishes the ARRIVE Together Program to provide mental health crisis response alternatives to traditional police involvement. The bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies (including state police, county departments, and municipal forces) to partner with contracted mental health providers who can respond to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Key provisions include mandating 24/7/7 mental health services, designating crisis response coordinators in police agencies and county prosecutors' offices, and protecting personal identifying information related to crisis responses as confidential. The program codifies a 2022 pilot initiative, aiming to reduce violence by connecting people in crisis with appropriate care instead of law enforcement escalation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill strengthens protections around expunged criminal records by imposing stricter rules on background check providers and other entities that handle criminal history information. It requires background check companies to only report on information received within the last 30 days, promptly delete expunged records they know about, and provide free correction mechanisms for individuals. The bill eliminates the $200 fine limit for violations and creates a civil right to sue for $5,000 per violation or actual damages. Professional licensing boards must redact references to expunged convictions in their disciplinary records while keeping the fact of the disciplinary action visible. These changes aim to better protect individuals with expunged records from unfair discrimination based on past convictions that should no longer be visible.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New Jersey's state police structure by creating a standalone "Department of State Police" within the Executive Branch, replacing its current status as a division within the Department of Law and Public Safety. It transfers all existing functions, personnel, and responsibilities from the Division of State Police to the new department, with the current superintendent automatically becoming the Commissioner of State Police. The Commissioner will report directly to the Governor, ending the Attorney General's supervisory role over state police operations. This change takes effect four months after enactment, maintaining all employee rights and protections under the State Agency Transfer Act.