Sen. Angela McKnight

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential rental application fees to the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords cannot charge tenants more than this amount for application fees, even if the credit check costs more than $30. Violating this rule results in a $250 penalty per violation, enforceable by the state or through a tenant lawsuit seeking the penalty plus attorney fees. The law directly affects landlords and tenants in New Jersey rental housing by restricting excessive fees and providing enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school staff (including those in after-school programs) to complete epilepsy and seizure disorder care training every five years. It directly affects school boards, administrators, and all school personnel who interact with students. The key provision mandates that training must be provided through a Department of Health-approved course from a nonprofit epilepsy support organization. This ensures staff can recognize seizures, provide appropriate care, and know when to seek help, as outlined in individualized health plans developed with parent input and physician guidance. The law applies to all schools in the state and takes effect at the start of the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4978) requires New Jersey county prosecutors to collect and report specific data about firearm-related incidents that did not cause bodily injury. Prosecutors must submit quarterly data - including incident details, location, charges, and whether the firearm was used lawfully - to the Attorney General for three years. The Attorney General will compile this data into a public report for the Governor and Legislature, to be published online. It directly affects county prosecutors (who collect the data) and the Attorney General (who compiles and publishes the report), with no changes to criminal penalties or gun laws. The bill focuses solely on gathering standardized data for transparency and analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new offenses related to firearm discharge: a third-degree crime for recklessly firing a gun within 100 yards of occupied buildings or schools (including buses and childcare facilities), and a fourth-degree crime for other reckless discharges. It specifies penalties of up to 5 years in prison or $15,000 fines for third-degree offenses, and up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fines for fourth-degree offenses. The bill also ensures that convictions for this offense do not merge with other charges, requiring separate sentences, and mandates consecutive prison terms for multiple offenses. It directly affects anyone who recklessly discharges a firearm in specified locations or circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for fire departments in New Jersey to stop using Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) by one year, allowing continued use until January 1, 2028, instead of the original January 1, 2027, deadline. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to expand a grant program that reimburses municipalities for replacing PFAS-containing foam with compliant alternatives. The extension provides fire departments additional time to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foam while ensuring funding is available for the replacement process. The bill does not change the ultimate prohibition date but gives fire departments more time to comply with the broader PFAS restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Police to create a maternity leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of fully paid recovery leave after childbirth, with benefits maintained and the leave not counted against sick leave balances. The policy must also prohibit residency restrictions or integrity checks during this leave period, which are typically applied to other medical leave. The State Police Superintendent must post clear details, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information, on the department's intranet. This directly affects current and future female troopers who become pregnant while serving.

Maddy summaryS 3754 establishes a "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. The committee will review cases of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have died or survived abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and assess how government systems respond to these cases. Composed of 12 members including medical professionals, disability advocates, and service providers, the committee will identify system improvements and recommend changes to strengthen prevention and reporting processes. The committee must submit findings and recommendations to state agencies within 27 months, and the state will appropriate funds to support this effort.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to share eligibility data for certain low-income assistance programs (like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, and Supplemental Security Income) with agencies managing energy assistance programs. It mandates that those agencies automatically enroll eligible households into utility bill payment assistance or energy efficiency programs without requiring separate applications. The policy directly affects households already receiving federal or state needs-based aid, streamlining access to energy help. Key provisions include data-sharing agreements between state departments and automatic enrollment for qualifying individuals, as permitted by federal law. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.