Maddy summaryS 5037, the "Privacy Protection Act," prohibits New Jersey government entities (including state and local agencies) and health care facilities from collecting or sharing specific personal information - such as immigration status, citizenship details, Social Security numbers, and tax IDs - except when necessary for public services like benefits or programs. It requires that any collected information be retained only as long as needed for the service, and bans the sale or sharing of automated license plate recognition data (e.g., vehicle tracking) except under legal orders like court warrants or for election-related purposes. The bill also clarifies that information gathered under this law is not subject to public disclosure under New Jersey’s open records law, with limited exceptions for administering benefits or complying with legal requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Safe Communities Act (S 5036) requires New Jersey’s Attorney General to develop model policies ensuring safety and accessibility at key public locations like schools, hospitals, shelters, and social service offices. These policies must be created within 180 days and adopted by state agencies (e.g., Education, Health, Human Services), which then mandate that institutions comply and post the policies visibly. The bill aims to prevent residents from avoiding essential services due to fear, by setting clear standards for these locations to remain welcoming and secure for all.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates 2026 as "The Year of Black History" in New Jersey to celebrate 100 years since the establishment of Black History Month (originally "Negro History Week" in 1926) and the 250th anniversary of American independence. It requires the New Jersey Department of State to coordinate events, the Department of Education to develop teaching materials about African American history, and the Economic Development Authority to support media initiatives on Black history. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover these activities, including educational programs, cultural exhibitions, and support for filmmakers. The legislation directly affects state agencies and public schools, aiming to promote awareness of Black contributions through structured state-led initiatives.
Maddy summaryThe Safe Communities Act requires New Jersey's Attorney General to develop model policies ensuring safety and accessibility at key community locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, shelters, and courthouses. These policies must be adopted by relevant state agencies (including education, health, and corrections departments) within 180 days of the law's enactment, with institutions required to post them visibly. The law aims to prevent residents from avoiding essential services or gatherings due to safety concerns, focusing on maintaining open access to public services and religious spaces. It applies directly to all covered facilities and their visitors across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or detaining people solely based on immigration status, asking about immigration status unless relevant to a crime investigation, or sharing personal information (like addresses or social security numbers) with federal immigration authorities. Exceptions apply only for serious crimes (e.g., violent offenses or recent convictions) or when required by law for criminal investigations. The law directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers, aiming to build trust between police and immigrant communities by clarifying that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Privacy Protection Act," prohibits New Jersey government entities (like state agencies, counties, and municipalities) and healthcare facilities from collecting or sharing specific personal information - such as immigration status, citizenship details, Social Security numbers, or place of birth - except when necessary to determine eligibility for public services, benefits, or professional licensing. It requires that any collected data be retained only as long as needed for those purposes and prevents such records from being disclosed under the state's open records law, except in limited cases like court orders, election requirements, or with explicit written consent. Written consent must clearly explain what data is shared, why, that refusal won't cause discrimination, and that consent can be revoked. The bill also restricts sharing of automated license plate data except to other government entities under legal authority or with a court order.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to help hospitals maintain essential services in underserved communities when relocating. It targets hospitals moving from municipalities with specific medical underservice designations (population >30,000, single hospital, and documented healthcare access gaps), requiring them to operate a "community access location" at their original site with services like emergency care, psychiatric services, and surgical capabilities. The program provides up to $3 million in state funding to cover costs for developing/maintaining these services or community health programs. Eligible hospitals must apply to the Department of Health with financial and service plans, and the program operates under specific regulatory waivers to support integration with the new hospital location.
Maddy summarySJR 171 is a ceremonial joint resolution designating March 9 each year as "U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day" in New Jersey. It honors Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained, including Robert A. Levinson (abducted March 9, 2007), and references historical cases like the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. The resolution requests the Governor annually display the "Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag" at the State Capitol and encourages other state/local entities to do the same on March 9 and other specified dates (e.g., August 19 for James Foley). As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but establishes a symbolic observance.
Maddy summaryS 5007 requires the Garden State Preservation Trust to conduct a comprehensive audit of New Jersey's land preservation programs - including Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland, and historic property initiatives - within six months of the bill's effective date. The audit must identify inefficiencies and recommend fund reallocations, with results shared publicly and submitted to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also allows local governments and qualified nonprofits to use constitutionally dedicated land preservation funds for administrative costs like staff time, outreach, and document preparation (capped at 3% of property value). It appropriates $150,000 to cover the audit costs. This directly affects the Trust, state agencies managing preservation programs, and local entities administering land conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program. It lowers the base credit rate for most film producers from 35% to 30% of eligible production costs, while adding a new requirement that digital media credits (up to 40%) must be earned by spending on vendors primarily located in specific New Jersey counties. The bill also adjusts digital media credit rules to exclude qualified wage payments from eligible expenses and requires producers to include "Filmed in New Jersey" credits in final film credits. These changes directly affect film and digital content producers seeking tax credits under the program.