Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryS 1636 requires every New Jersey county to provide at least one drive-up ballot drop box (designed with accessible features like turning radius and curb cuts) available 24/7. County election boards must establish a minimum of 10 ballot drop boxes total, including locations at county government buildings, municipalities over 5,000 residents, and college campuses with over 5,000 students. The bill mandates ADA-compliant sites with security cameras, prohibits political displays within 100 feet, and requires all locations to be accessible. This directly affects county election boards’ operations and expands voter access to secure ballot drop options.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2878) amends New Jersey sentencing law to add a new mitigating factor for defendants convicted of crimes who were victims of substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse that contributed to their offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of non-murder offenses (excluding certain sex offenses) who can demonstrate their abuse was a contributing factor to their crime. The key provision requires courts to consider this abuse history during sentencing, regardless of whether the defendant raised it as a defense. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.328.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 595 bans sellers from charging credit card surcharges (extra fees for using credit cards) and requires clear notices about minimum credit card transaction amounts and cash/debit discounts. It applies to all retailers and restaurants in the state, mandating visible signs at entrances, checkout points, or online checkout pages to disclose these terms. Gas stations (motor fuel dealers) are exempt from the notice requirements for cash discounts but remain subject to the surcharge ban. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces the terms "alien" and "illegal alien" with "noncitizen" and "undocumented noncitizen" throughout New Jersey state statutes and prohibits executive branch agencies from using the outdated terms. It directly affects all state laws and agency communications that currently reference these terms, including inheritance, estate, and lottery prize assignment provisions. The key mechanism is a straightforward language update to modernize terminology in existing statutes without creating new policies or requirements. The bill focuses solely on terminology, not on changing rights or responsibilities for noncitizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors and nurses to give women aged 40 or older an informational pamphlet about menopause stages (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause) during their annual physical exams, starting 180 days after the law takes effect. The New Jersey Department of Health must create and post this pamphlet online within 90 days of the law's effective date. The bill directly affects women receiving annual physicals and healthcare providers who perform those exams, mandating a specific educational resource be provided during routine visits. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, with implementation beginning 180 days later.

Maddy summaryS 2936 prohibits New Jersey municipalities, school districts, and state agencies from purchasing, installing, or using artificial turf for any new or existing athletic fields. The bill cites health and environmental concerns, noting artificial turf contains harmful chemicals (including carcinogens and "forever chemicals" like PFAS), microplastics, and can reach dangerously high temperatures. Existing artificial turf fields may remain in use but cannot be replaced with artificial turf. The law aims to shift investments toward natural grass fields, which the bill states are free of these hazards and can be maintained safely through organic practices.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a default presumption that joint legal and physical custody - where children spend roughly equal time with both parents and parents share major decisions about health, education, and welfare - is in a child's best interest. Courts must assume this arrangement unless a parent provides clear, convincing evidence that it would harm the child, requiring documented findings if the presumption is rebutted. The bill directly affects all parents involved in child custody cases and judges making custody rulings in New Jersey. It modifies existing law to prioritize shared parenting as the standard, while still allowing courts to order alternative arrangements like sole custody if justified by the child's specific needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2873) restricts the disclosure and use of criminal records that have been legally expunged in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with expunged records, background check companies, and government licensing boards. Key provisions include: making it illegal to knowingly share expunged records (with fines up to $5,000 per violation), requiring background check companies to delete expunged records within 30 days of a request, and mandating that licensing boards redact expunged convictions from their records while keeping the fact of disciplinary action visible. The bill strengthens enforcement of expungement by adding civil penalties and clear procedures for correcting records.

Maddy summaryS 2804 establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing New Jersey state entities and designated "pilot municipalities" to identify underused public assets (like properties or infrastructure) that could generate more revenue. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will help select these assets, contract with private firms to professionally manage them for higher returns, and share the increased revenue with participating entities. Funds must be used for specific community purposes: supporting minority-owned businesses, improving infrastructure, investing in education, or reducing property taxes. The program is temporary, ending after five years when management reverts to the original owner, and requires a final report to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryS 3149 establishes a new Office of Resilience within New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) to address the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. The bill directly affects children and families in New Jersey who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, or household instability, by creating state-level coordination to prevent and mitigate these effects. Key mechanisms include developing trauma-informed strategies for schools and health systems, launching public awareness campaigns about ACEs and positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and creating a virtual hub to connect community organizations with resources. The Office of Resilience will coordinate statewide efforts, publish research-based tools, and report annually to the Governor and Legislature on progress toward making New Jersey a trauma-informed state.