Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 442) creates a role for county pretrial coordinators to help defendants on pretrial release access voluntary support services. It requires coordinators to evaluate defendants’ needs - including substance use treatment, food assistance (like SNAP), healthcare (Medicaid), housing, and job training - and connect them with appropriate programs during their release period. Counties must track service usage and outcomes, then report annually to the Governor and Legislature on whether these services affect rearrest rates. The bill applies to defendants charged with serious offenses or disorderly persons offenses who have been granted pretrial release, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryS 2985 creates "Mission Critical Long-Term Care Teams" within New Jersey's Department of Health to identify and assist long-term care facilities facing financial or operational risks that could harm residents or disrupt care. Each team - comprising four experts in areas like finance, nursing, and safety - will evaluate facilities using specific indicators for financial health and compliance with resident care standards. If a facility is flagged through inspections, complaints, or by the facility itself, the team must work with it to address issues and may require full access to the facility's operations and financial records. This bill directly affects all New Jersey long-term care facilities, focusing on preventing decline through collaborative intervention rather than punitive measures. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 318) criminalizes three specific acts related to vacant dwellings: forcibly entering without permission to take residence ("housebreaking"), occupying without permission ("unlawful occupancy"), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction ("unlawful reentry"). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they have a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. It directly affects property owners seeking to evict unauthorized occupants and occupants in vacant properties without documented authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health care providers from billing patients for early intervention services more than one year after the service was provided or attempting to collect on such late bills. It allows providers to seek full reimbursement from insurance plans at any time, but if insurance denies or partially pays a claim, providers cannot bill patients for the remaining balance if the claim was submitted over one year after the service or if more than 18 months passed since the service. The bill directly affects parents of infants and toddlers (birth to age two) receiving early intervention services for developmental delays or disabilities. It targets a practice where providers issued bills years after services, creating financial strain for families already managing complex care needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes property tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to the date the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially determines their total disability. It directly affects veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities (like paralysis, blindness, or amputations) who previously paid property taxes during the gap between their disability determination and when they applied for the exemption. The key provision requires the state to reimburse municipalities for property taxes paid by veterans during this retroactive period. This changes the existing law to ensure veterans receive tax relief for all eligible periods, not just from the application date forward.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's legal definition of "abused child" to include situations where harm is caused by someone who isn't the child's parent or legal guardian - including another child under 18. It adds specific provisions clarifying that a child is deemed abused if non-parents (including minors) commit acts described in the existing definition, while excluding incidents occurring in day schools. The change directly affects children in these scenarios and ensures caregivers, schools, and institutions must address such harm under the law. It does not alter existing protections for children receiving spiritual treatment or change the core requirements for reporting abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey (including major health plans and state programs) to cover hospitalization costs for coronavirus (COVID-19) without any cost-sharing. It directly affects individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 by eliminating deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for these expenses. The key provision mandates that insurers cover all related hospitalization costs for eligible patients as defined in the bill. This applies immediately to all health plans issued or purchased on or after the effective date. The policy change removes financial barriers for COVID-19 hospital care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of survivors and experts, must evaluate existing anti-trafficking laws, recommend new policies, review assistance programs, and develop public awareness campaigns - including signage and hotlines - within 180 days of the bill's enactment. It requires the council to submit a report with specific recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, including best practices for victim identification, public service announcements, and coordination with law enforcement. The bill appropriates $1 million for the council's operations and expires after the report is submitted or one year post-World Cup, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 417 requires most private employers to provide employees with two hours of paid leave annually to vote in general elections. Employees must give employers two business days' notice, and employers must display voting leave rights 10 days before elections. The paid leave must be at the employee's regular pay rate (not below minimum wage), and employers must offer it at the start or end of a work shift on election day. The law excludes construction workers under collective bargaining agreements, per diem healthcare workers, and public employees already covered by existing paid voting leave policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2043) revises New Jersey's reckless vehicular homicide law to increase penalties for drivers causing death while operating a vehicle recklessly. It directly affects drivers convicted of such crimes who were driving under the influence (DUI), with a suspended license, or near schools (within 1,000 feet of school property or school crossings). Key provisions include: a mandatory minimum prison term (one-third to one-half of sentence or three years, whichever is greater), automatic pretrial detention, a license suspension of 5 years to life, and vehicle forfeiture (unless the defendant proves hardship). The law also specifies that ignorance of school proximity or lack of students present does not excuse violations near schools.