Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryS 1440 creates a refundable gross income tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers who pay qualified union dues to labor organizations. The credit equals the full amount of union dues paid during the tax year, applied after other credits, and can result in a cash refund if it reduces tax liability to zero. It defines "qualified union dues" as dues, fees, or assessments paid to labor organizations (which include groups negotiating wages, hours, or working conditions) and requires taxpayers to verify payments to the Division of Taxation. This policy directly affects New Jersey residents who are union members or public employees represented by qualifying labor organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities in New Jersey to permit single exit stairwells in new multi-unit residential buildings (up to six stories) that house permanent residents, rather than requiring multiple exits. It specifically applies to "Group R-2" buildings (defined as residential structures with more than two dwelling units) and allows the ground floor to be used for non-hazardous non-residential purposes (like retail) if served by separate entrances. Municipalities must adopt ordinances following a model provided by the Department of Community Affairs, and the rule only affects new construction applications submitted after the law takes effect. The change modifies existing building code requirements for residential safety standards.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2919 allows eligible voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits voters to register in person at their assigned polling place on election day or at an early voting site in their county, provided they show ID or utility bill proof and complete a registration affirmation. The bill amends existing law to ensure provisional ballots cast under these conditions are counted if valid, without requiring prior registration. This change directly affects voters who register late but meets the in-person verification requirements at voting locations.

Maddy summaryS 1398 (New Jersey) allows families or guardians of individuals up to age 21 with developmental disabilities to save unused after-school care hours provided by contracted agencies for use during holidays or weekends. The bill requires the Division of Children’s System of Care to permit this adjustment to existing family support services, specifically for "agency-after school care" - social/recreational activities offered by community agencies during after-school hours outside the home. It does not create new services but changes how existing authorized hours can be used. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same day as it was incorporated into another enacted law (P.L.2025, c.360).

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 426) would require New Jersey to provide Medicare health care coverage to all state residents - regardless of age, health, or disability status - expanding the federal program beyond its current eligibility rules. It mandates the state to seek federal waivers from CMS to replace existing health programs (like Medicaid) with universal Medicare coverage, with costs adjusted based on existing Medicare/Medicaid payments. The bill also prohibits private insurers from offering duplicate coverage for services already provided through Medicare. This would apply to anyone domiciled in New Jersey for 30 days prior to applying, starting immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's existing Attorney General directive to prevent state and local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement. It prohibits police from stopping, questioning, or arresting people based solely on immigration status, asking about immigration status (except in specific criminal investigations), or sharing personal information like license numbers or addresses with federal immigration authorities. The law explicitly states that police must focus on enforcing New Jersey's criminal laws, not federal immigration law, to maintain community trust and public safety. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers.

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.

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 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.