Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on New Jersey public works projects to verify that all craftworkers meet minimum qualifications. Specifically, it mandates that contractors register electronically and provide proof that each journeyperson has either completed a registered apprenticeship program meeting federal standards or has four years of documented work experience (with union members under certain collective bargaining agreements exempt). The law also requires contractors to confirm they participate in approved apprenticeship programs for any craftworkers they employ. These requirements apply directly to contractors bidding on or performing state-funded construction projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to accept voluntary gifts, grants, or donations from the public and private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements. Funds received must be deposited into a special nonlapsing fund managed by the State Treasurer and can only be used to produce these announcements. The bill directly affects the DVA, enabling it to expand its suicide prevention outreach efforts through external funding. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3411 establishes a Social Media Research Center at a public four-year university to study social media's impact on youth mental health. The center will research risks like excessive use linked to depression (e.g., double risk after 3+ hours daily), develop safe social media courses for public schools, and make recommendations to address mental health challenges. It will administer a competitive grant program for external research, modeled on NIH standards, and require state agencies to share relevant data upon request. The center must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its research, funding, and future plans. This bill directly affects New Jersey students, schools, and state agencies focused on youth health and safety.

Maddy summaryS 3413, the "New Jersey Kids Code Act," requires online services likely accessed by minors to implement age-appropriate design standards. It directly affects major platforms with significant child users (like social media and gaming services), mandating default privacy settings that protect minors and prohibiting the use of their data for harmful purposes. Key provisions include designing products with children’s developmental needs in mind, preventing exposure to harmful content, and ensuring data practices don’t negatively impact minors’ well-being. The law adopts New Jersey’s version of an "Age-Appropriate Design Code" to create safer online experiences for children.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health clubs in New Jersey to provide written contracts that clearly state the total payment obligation upfront and disclose any security (like bonds or deposits) held to protect members. It limits health club service contracts to a maximum of three years and gives buyers a three-day window to cancel contracts without penalty by phone, mail, or online. If canceled within this period, members must receive a full refund within 30 days. The bill also mandates that contracts include specific cancellation notices in bold type, detailing how to cancel and the refund timeline.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 205 revises New Jersey's penalties for limousine violations, directly affecting limousine operators and drivers who break state regulations. It increases fines for operating without a license or proper insurance to $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and $7,500 plus a six-month driver's license suspension and vehicle impoundment for third offenses. For missing special registration plates or failing safety inspections, penalties rise to $1,250 for a first offense and $7,500 with impoundment for third offenses. The bill also specifies that limousines must have safety equipment like two-way communication systems and fire extinguishers, with $50 fines for first offenses on missing equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act," which sets new standards to protect voting rights. It requires courts to interpret election laws liberally in favor of voters, particularly protecting racial, color, and language-minority groups (defined as "protected classes"), ensuring their equal access to voting and registration. The Attorney General is designated as the chief enforcer to investigate violations, issue guidance, and litigate cases related to voting rights under this law. Key provisions include prohibiting unnecessary voting barriers and mandating that election policies be narrowly tailored to serve compelling government interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2960) creates state funding preferences for New Jersey municipalities that adopt zoning changes to encourage denser residential development. It requires municipalities to review and update their master plans and development regulations to include specific housing strategies - such as allowing accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, permitting multi-unit buildings in commercial zones, or increasing density near transit - before qualifying for preferential treatment. Municipalities that implement these changes will receive priority consideration for state grants and competitive financial assistance programs (like the Main Street New Jersey Program), as determined by the Department of Community Affairs. The bill applies to all municipalities that amend their regulations to increase permitted housing units, with funding preferences taking effect once the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 451) prohibits landlords and property management software from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental pricing and supply, which the legislature states has contributed to New Jersey's housing affordability crisis. It defines a "coordinator" as any service (including software) that collects pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or lease terms - effectively enabling price-fixing. Landlords are banned from subscribing to such services, and coordinators are prohibited from facilitating agreements that restrict competition among rental property owners. The law directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers operating in New Jersey's rental market, aiming to increase price competition and reduce rent burdens for renters.