Sen. Raj Mukherji

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 43) urges New Jersey's Governor to immediately halt all fossil fuel infrastructure projects - like pipelines and power plants - until the state adopts regulations meeting the 80% greenhouse gas reduction target by 2050. It directly addresses the Governor and state environmental agencies, referencing gaps in Governor Murphy's current clean energy plan. The resolution does not create new law but requests a moratorium to align with the state's climate goals under the Global Warming Response Act. Introduced on January 9, 2024, it remains pending before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 334) grants the historical title "Attorney General of the State of New Jersey" to any person who served as Acting Attorney General for a continuous period of at least 180 days. It directly affects individuals filling the Acting Attorney General role, ensuring they receive this official title for historical records after their service ends. The bill specifies that temporary interruptions - such as travel outside the state or illness - do not break the required 180-day continuity. It applies retroactively to anyone serving as Acting Attorney General before, on, or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties with cities of the first class (population over 150,000, currently Newark and Jersey City) to impose a $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents filed in county offices. The surcharge funds flow directly to each city’s municipal affordable housing trust fund, where the city must use the money exclusively for creating or rehabilitating affordable housing. Counties must collect the surcharge and return funds quarterly to the city’s business administrator. The bill targets these two populous cities - Newark and Jersey City - to generate dedicated revenue for addressing housing affordability needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1168) upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against crossing guards or parking enforcement officers while they are performing their official duties. It directly affects these workers by making attacks against them a more serious criminal charge with harsher penalties. The key provision adds crossing guards and parking enforcement officers to the list of protected individuals in New Jersey's assault law (N.J.S.2C:12-1), meaning any simple assault against them automatically becomes aggravated assault. This change applies only when the victim is clearly identifiable as a crossing guard or parking officer on duty. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents or legal custodians separated from their children due to immigration enforcement (such as arrest, detention, or removal) to appoint a standby guardian to care for their child. It creates a streamlined court process where parents can designate a standby guardian through written consent, without needing medical proof for terminal illness or immigration documentation. The appointment takes effect upon a "triggering event" like the parent's death, incapacity, or administrative separation, ensuring the child's care continues without terminating parental rights. The law specifically defines "administrative separation" to cover federal immigration actions that disrupt parental care, directly affecting immigrant families facing deportation or detention.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires ticket sellers - including brokers, resellers, and websites - to clearly display the total price of a ticket (including all fees like service charges) before purchase. It mandates that this total cost be shown in dollars, prominently but not more prominently than the base price, and prevents price increases during checkout (except for delivery fees on physical tickets). Venues cannot charge extra fees beyond the set ticket price plus taxes, though reasonable service charges for delivery or special services are permitted. The law directly affects consumers buying tickets and businesses selling them, aiming to prevent hidden fees and misleading pricing.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 292) removes a past conviction for a serious criminal offense as a barrier to serving on a jury in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with prior convictions under New Jersey, state, or federal law who were previously disqualified from jury service. The bill amends state law by deleting the disqualifying clause in N.J.S.2B:20-1, making these individuals eligible for jury duty. The change applies immediately upon enactment, updating jury selection lists to include qualified citizens with past convictions.

Maddy summaryS 2218 requires hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen pregnant people or those who recently gave birth for endometriosis if they were diagnosed with preeclampsia and later show endometriosis symptoms. It mandates that providers give patients information about endometriosis and its symptoms through an educational program, explain screening benefits, and obtain written refusal if the patient declines. The bill specifies that screening must occur unless a patient provides a written refusal using a standardized form developed by the Commissioner of Health. If screening is positive, providers must discuss results and create a treatment plan to address endometriosis risks. This applies to individuals within six weeks postpartum who meet the preeclampsia and symptom criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans covering groups of 50+ people to include coverage for preimplantation genetic testing during in vitro fertilization (IVF) when used to prevent specific serious genetic conditions in offspring. It applies to cases where both partners carry a recessive disorder, one partner carries a disorder with a family history, or the condition would cause severe disability. Insurers must cover these services under the same terms as other pregnancy-related care, but exclude infertility resulting from voluntary sterilization. Religious employers can opt out of this coverage if it conflicts with their religious beliefs, with clear written notice required for subscribers.

Maddy summaryS 1193 (New Jersey) allows eligible voters who missed the 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits registration at assigned polling places on election day or at early voting sites by providing ID or address verification (e.g., utility bill, photo ID) and completing a provisional ballot affirmation. This directly affects voters who did not register before the deadline but appear at their polling location or early voting site during the early voting period. The bill amends Section 19:31-6 of New Jersey law to establish this process, ensuring provisional ballots are counted if requirements are met. It does not change the standard 21-day registration deadline for regular voting.