Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates time limits for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, allowing criminal charges to be filed at any time. For civil cases where victims sue traffickers, it extends the filing deadline to 10 years after the crime occurred, or until the victim turns 18 if they were a minor at the time, or two years after discovering the harm. The bill directly affects victims of human trafficking (who gain extended legal options) and individuals accused of trafficking offenses (who face no time limit for prosecution). It modifies existing laws to remove fixed time periods for both criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits related to human trafficking.

Maddy summaryS 731 requires New Jersey electric utilities to create special pricing plans for large data centers (defined as facilities with 100+ megawatts monthly demand) to protect regular electricity customers from cost increases. The bill mandates that these plans must prevent non-data center ratepayers from bearing costs from data centers' high energy use and incentivize data centers to improve energy efficiency, including using waste heat. Utilities must submit these plans to the Board of Public Utilities within 180 days, and the rules will take effect one year after the bill passes. Key requirements include data centers committing to 85% service levels for 10 years, proving project uniqueness, and providing financial guarantees to cover potential cost overruns if they reduce service.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during elections from being counted when calculating unemployment benefits in New Jersey. It amends the state's unemployment law (R.S.43:21-19) to exclude these wages from "annual payroll" calculations that determine benefit eligibility. This directly affects election workers who may later qualify for unemployment benefits, ensuring their temporary election work does not reduce their compensation. The policy change prevents poll workers' election wages from impacting their unemployment benefit amount under current law.

Maddy summaryS 2617 establishes the Council for Community Recovery and Family Success to develop a statewide initiative focused on improving outcomes for infants, children, youth, and families in New Jersey. The council, composed of 25 members including state agency heads and appointed community representatives, will coordinate services across departments and advocate for a State Bill of Rights for Children based on UN standards. It will identify gaps in preventive services and develop strategies across four key areas: family relationships, financial security, education, and health. The bill appropriates $4.0 million to fund the council’s operations and its work plan. This is a procedural bill creating a new oversight body, not a direct policy change affecting specific programs.

Maddy summaryS 2338, the "Climate Superfund Act," imposes strict liability on fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions during 1995-2026 (the "covered period"). It requires these companies to pay compensatory damages into a state fund managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The collected funds will finance climate change adaptation projects - such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat-resilient housing - as defined in the bill. This legislation directly affects major fossil fuel extraction and refining entities operating in New Jersey during the covered period, establishing a new cost recovery program without requiring proof of negligence.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires private companies that use personal vehicles for delivery services to provide their drivers with specific identifying markers. These markers must be reflective or illuminated and are to be displayed on the front windshield and rear window of the vehicle while the driver is working. The bill also mandates that delivery drivers keep these markers lit at night if they have that capability. Companies must submit the design of these markers to the state Motor Vehicle Commission for record-keeping before distributing them to drivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a temporary community crisis response team pilot program permanent and allocates $6 million in funding to support it. The Attorney General will manage the program by issuing annual grants to eligible municipalities and community-based organizations in specific counties to help them establish or expand these teams. To qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate a connection to state-approved violence intervention or harm reduction programs and meet specific population and density criteria. The funds can be used for planning, staffing, training, and operational costs, with a requirement to prioritize non-police human service interventions over law enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates May as "Pet Appreciation Month" and the third full week of that month as "Pet Adoption Week" throughout New Jersey. It directly affects pet owners, animal shelters, and the general public by establishing official state observances to encourage pet care and adoption. The key mechanism is a request for the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling on citizens to participate in programs and activities during these designated times. The resolution aims to raise awareness about the benefits of pet ownership and to promote the adoption of animals from local shelters and rescues.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows individuals to have their blood type printed on their driver's license if they request it. The law applies to all new licenses, renewals, and probationary licenses issued after the bill takes effect. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will decide exactly how the blood type appears on the card. This change gives drivers a convenient way to have their medical information readily available during emergencies.