Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2511 prohibits pet shops from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." Pet shops may still sell other animals, pet supplies, or collaborate with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. Violating this prohibition would result in a $500 fine per violation. The bill also prohibits shelters, rescues, and pet shops from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for payment, and defines "unfit for purchase" for animals sold by breeders or brokers.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility rules for New Jersey's state small business set-aside program, which helps direct state contracts to qualifying small businesses. It changes how gross revenue is calculated for eligibility: businesses must now use a five-year average (instead of three years) of revenue, with specific formulas for newer businesses or those with short fiscal years. The bill also clarifies that employee count requirements apply only to businesses without an applicable federal revenue standard. These changes directly affect businesses seeking state contracts under the set-aside program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their families (referred to as "New Americans"). It formalizes an existing office created in 2019, directing it to administer refugee resettlement services, health screenings, legal aid for low-income New Americans, and workforce development programs. The office will serve as a central hub for data and expertise, providing training to other state agencies on equitable engagement with immigrant communities and ensuring language access services. Crucially, the bill prohibits using collected data for immigration enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts insurance-support organizations (as defined in New Jersey law) from New Jersey's data privacy law (N.J.S.A. 56:8-166.4 et seq.), which requires entities to notify consumers about personal data collection and disclosure. It adds these organizations to an existing list of exempt entities, including health providers under HIPAA, financial institutions under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and government agencies. The change means insurance-support organizations will no longer need to comply with the state's specific notification and disclosure requirements for personal data they collect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5002) expands the scope of practice for licensed acupuncturists in New Jersey. It allows them to perform additional services like tuina and shiatsu massage, order more diagnostic tests (including x-rays and MRI), and prescribe specific products such as vitamins, saline, homeopathic medicine, and certain injectables like lidocaine. Existing practitioners must complete additional certification training (e.g., 60 hours for injection therapy) to provide these expanded services. The changes apply to new license applications or renewals after the effective date, with the Acupuncture Examining Board overseeing implementation.

Maddy summaryS 5000 revises New Jersey's parole procedures by repealing a law that previously applied only to parolees released due to prison overcrowding. This change ensures all parolees, regardless of their release reason, now face the same standard process for handling violations like missing check-ins or failing to pay fees. The bill updates definitions (e.g., clarifying "technical parole violations" to include missed appointments or unpaid fines) and modifies parole board procedures for reviewing violations. It does not alter parole eligibility but makes the violation process consistent for every parolee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4428) provides educational support professionals in New Jersey school districts (such as librarians, counselors, or administrative staff who are not teachers) with seniority credit for military service. It allows these professionals - who served in active U.S. military duty and qualify for federal veterans' benefits - to count up to four years of that service toward their seniority, as if they had been continuously employed during that time. This includes military service completed before their current school district employment. The bill extends a provision currently available to teachers to cover non-teaching school staff.

Maddy summaryS 5005 requires New Jersey judges, law enforcement officers, and judicial staff handling domestic violence cases to receive training on coercive control - a pattern of manipulation used to control a partner. The bill amends existing law to mandate that this training be included in all required domestic violence education, specifically covering recognition of coercive control indicators as defined in state law. Affected groups include municipal and Superior Court judges, police officers, and court personnel involved in domestic violence cases. Training must be completed within 90 days of appointment/transfer and annually, with the curriculum reviewed every two years. This is a procedural change to enhance existing training standards, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create accessible tools helping NJ FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet new federal work/volunteer requirements through community service. Specifically, DHS must develop a public web tool to find approved volunteer opportunities and a mobile app for beneficiaries to submit hours for compliance. It directly affects over 1.8 million NJ FamilyCare recipients (including children, parents, and seniors) and 425,000 SNAP households, who now face expanded work requirements under federal law. The bill focuses on streamlining compliance - replacing paperwork with volunteer hours - by connecting people to verified opportunities through state resources. This is a procedural policy change to support existing eligibility rules, not a new benefit or requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for caregivers who pay for care and support expenses for a qualifying relative or individual with a disability. Caregivers can claim up to $2,500 annually in tax credits for documented expenses like medical supplies, home modifications, or service provider costs, provided they submit receipts, payment records, and medical certifications. The credit can be claimed alongside an existing dependent deduction for the same person, and any unused credit amount would be refunded as an overpayment. It applies to residents caring for a disabled relative at home or providing at least 120 hours of annual care, with strict documentation requirements to verify eligibility.