Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryS 2958, the "SLUMLORD Act," strengthens tenant protections by requiring landlords managing multiple residential units to designate a "Principal Agent" (a contact person for habitability complaints) and imposing stricter enforcement for repeated safety issues. It defines "severe habitability violations" as more than 10 total violations across properties or 3 for a single unit after notice, triggering mandatory action. The bill appropriates $5 million to fund a new enforcement program under the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to address these violations. This directly affects landlords with multiple rental properties, tenants in those units, and municipalities responsible for oversight.

Maddy summaryS 462 requires all pet shops, grooming facilities, and pet daycares in New Jersey to install and maintain video monitoring systems in areas where animals are handled (such as kennels, grooming stations, or play areas), excluding staff break rooms or offices. Facilities must retain recordings for 30 days and provide them to authorities investigating animal cruelty, consumer fraud, or other violations. Non-compliant facilities face civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for each repeat violation. The law applies directly to commercial animal care businesses operating in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey insurance companies selling homeowners, renters, excess liability, or personal liability policies to offer firearm liability coverage as an optional add-on. The coverage must provide minimum limits of $100,000 per person injured or killed in one incident, $300,000 for multiple people injured or killed, and $25,000 for property damage. It applies to all such policies delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey on or after the bill's effective date. The requirement directly affects insurers authorized to sell these policy types within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires building owners to register elevator devices with New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and display specific signage. It mandates the DCA to create a public portal showing elevator inspection status, safety reports, and maintenance history for consumers. Additionally, the DCA must establish a loan program to help senior housing owners cover elevator maintenance costs. The law directly affects building owners, elevator maintenance firms, and residents in buildings with registered elevators.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires specialized training for judges, court staff, law enforcement, and prosecutors handling domestic violence and child abuse cases in custody disputes. It mandates 20 hours of initial training and 15 hours every five years for judges and court personnel on topics including domestic violence dynamics, child trauma, racial bias impacts, safety planning, and evidence-based child abuse research. Law enforcement must complete annual training on domestic violence response, while judges handling custody cases receive specific instruction on restraining orders, child custody arrangements, and risk assessment. The training aims to improve how the court system addresses child safety in cases involving domestic violence or abuse. The bill does not change custody laws but focuses on equipping officials with updated knowledge and tools.

Maddy summaryS 475 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update statewide policies for investigating human trafficking. This affects law enforcement agencies (county/municipal police), county prosecutors, and human trafficking victims by mandating specific policy improvements. Key provisions include evaluating whether audio/video recordings in undercover operations protect investigations and victim treatment, establishing strict rules for sharing such recordings, and ensuring county prosecutors are involved early in investigations to address legal issues. The review must address these points as outlined in the bill, responding to a 2024 state commission report on trafficking in massage therapy businesses. The policy revision must be completed following the Attorney General's review, with no new funding or penalties specified.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2930 requires the Department of Children and Families to create a state-wide program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, or household instability. The bill mandates developing a toolkit for state employees, establishing Trauma Awareness Month, creating recognition programs for frontline workers, and identifying service gaps across agencies and schools. State agencies serving children and families must implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and toxic stress, and use evidence-based approaches to build resilience. This law aims to reduce long-term health and behavioral impacts of childhood trauma by shifting how state services are delivered.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's confidentiality rules for eviction court records to allow Legal Services of New Jersey and certified public interest legal aid organizations to access these records. It directly affects unrepresented tenants facing eviction, as these organizations can now review case details without requiring an attorney's notice of appearance. The key provision removes confidentiality barriers for certified groups (including law school clinics and pro bono programs), enabling them to provide immediate legal assistance. This change ensures legal aid providers can effectively advise tenants and evaluate cases, maintaining access they previously had before the confidentiality law was enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone circulating a recall petition for an elected official in New Jersey to take a sworn oath (affidavit) in front of a qualified official, such as a notary. It directly affects petition circulators, replacing the current requirement where they could self-certify the affidavit without witnessing. The key change mandates that circulators must personally appear before an authorized officer to swear under oath that they witnessed all signatures, confirmed signers' residency, and circulated the petition in good faith. This aims to prevent fraud by adding a verification step similar to requirements for election nomination petitions.

Maddy summaryS 424 establishes a pilot program in Union City, Trenton, and Camden to address energy inefficiency and fire risks from unsealed spaces between residential buildings (open cockloft spaces). The program provides free weatherization measures - including fire-resistant barriers, insulation, and ventilation - for low- and moderate-income homeowners, while other property owners can pay for improvements through a 10-year property tax assessment. It appropriates $30 million and requires participating cities to inventory affected buildings and share data for evaluation.