Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 413) extends the protected tenancy period for qualifying senior citizens (62+ years) and disabled tenants in New Jersey when their rental buildings convert to condos or cooperatives. It changes the previous 40-year protection to a full lifetime of the tenant, preventing forced evictions due to building conversions. Tenants must have lived in the unit for at least one year before conversion and meet income or disability criteria (e.g., medically determined disability or 60% veterans' disability rating). The law applies specifically to buildings converting from rental use, ensuring these tenants can remain in their homes without rent hikes tied to the conversion.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1773) requires New Jersey school districts to include specific post-graduation data in annual school performance report cards. It mandates reporting the number and percentage of graduates placed in employment or further education, including apprenticeships, as part of the required school profile. The change applies to all high schools and districts, adding this metric to existing report card requirements like graduation rates and student test scores. The bill aims to provide families and communities with clearer insights into student outcomes after high school.

Maddy summarySR 18 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging states within the PJM Interconnection region (including New Jersey and 12 other states plus D.C.) to require data centers to source electricity from new zero- or low-emission energy sources. It does not create new regulations but calls on state governments to adopt policies addressing data centers' growing energy demands, which currently consume about 4% of U.S. electricity and are projected to reach 9% by 2030. The resolution cites concerns about grid strain, noting data centers use 10-50x more energy than typical offices and could double demand by 2030. It emphasizes clean energy sources like solar and wind as scalable solutions to support grid reliability and climate goals.

Maddy summaryS 601, "Dylan's Law," requires vessel owners in New Jersey to receive specific information about U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) when applying for vessel numbers. It mandates that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission include details on required and recommended PFD types in vessel application forms, and that approved boat safety courses must cover this information as part of their curriculum. The law directly affects vessel owners seeking registration and boat safety course providers. Key mechanisms include adding PFD requirements to application forms and course content standards, ensuring boaters understand proper safety equipment usage under state and federal rules.

Maddy summaryS 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Maddy summarySJR 30 designates October of each year as "Eczema Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to increase public awareness about eczema - a skin condition affecting over 13% of New Jersey residents (and 32 million Americans) - and foster community support for those living with it. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions; it is purely symbolic, calling for educational outreach to reduce stigma and improve understanding of the condition. This resolution was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in New Jersey to pay rent into an escrow account or make repairs themselves and deduct costs from future rent when serious hazards like mold, broken heating, or unsafe stairs persist in their homes. Tenants must first notify their landlord and allow a reasonable time for repairs before using these options. The law protects tenants from eviction if they withhold rent for these specific safety issues or deduct repair costs up to four months' worth of rent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Supreme Court to dismiss unresolved charges, complaints, and arrest warrants from municipal courts that have been pending for five years or more, specifically targeting minor offenses like petty disorderly conduct, simple assault in mutual fights, shoplifting under $200, and possession of small amounts of marijuana. The law excludes municipal ordinance violations and mandates that the Administrative Office of the Courts conduct studies within six months to explore expanding existing dismissal programs and implementing a voluntary surrender initiative similar to federal models. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment and aims to clear older cases from the court system while maintaining the distinction between serious indictable offenses and lesser municipal court matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Interagency Cooperation within the Department of Community Affairs to improve local code enforcement in New Jersey. The office will be overseen by a board appointed by state officials and the Commissioner of Community Affairs, which can authorize special strike teams to address serious or repeated code violations in specific municipalities. These strike teams will consist of state, municipal, and public health officials who conduct inspections of buildings with multiple complaints. Additionally, the office will establish a data-sharing system to track repeat violators and share information with municipalities to help target enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Resolution urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would ban the use of slavery and indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crimes. The bill directly addresses the legal exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits forced labor as punishment for criminal convictions. By calling for a constitutional change, the resolution seeks to eliminate the practice of unpaid or low-wage prison labor and prevent private correctional facilities from profiting from incarcerated workers. The measure would require federal action to remove the loophole that allows slavery and indentured servitude in the criminal justice system.