Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require human trafficking awareness signs at specific businesses and public locations to include Chinese and Korean, in addition to English and Spanish. It directly affects establishments like strip clubs, massage businesses, airports, hotels, hospitals, and transportation hubs that currently must display these signs. The key change is expanding the required languages on the signs, which must be at least 8.5x11 inches with 16-point font. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The update responds to a 2024 report highlighting trafficking concerns in the massage therapy industry.

Maddy summaryS 4898 would lower the minimum required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network company (TNC) drivers and companies in New Jersey, such as Uber or Lyft. Current law requires TNC drivers to maintain at least $1.5 million in such coverage when providing rides. The bill would reduce this minimum coverage amount to a lower figure, though the exact new amount is not specified in the text. This change would directly affect TNC drivers and companies by reducing their insurance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the composition of New Jersey's Fish and Game Council by replacing three of the six sportsmen representatives with three members recommended by animal welfare organizations. The council will now consist of three farmers (recommended by the agricultural convention), three sportsmen (down from six), three animal welfare representatives (new), one chair of the Endangered Species Committee, and one land use expert - all serving four-year terms. Animal welfare organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on animal protection. The geographic representation requirements for council members across New Jersey counties remain unchanged. The bill takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 4882 prohibits state pension and annuity funds from investing in companies that collect or manipulate personal data for immigration status checks without a warrant or court order. The bill targets firms engaged in government contracts or business operations violating data privacy for immigration purposes, directly affecting the state's $100+ billion retirement funds. It requires the State Investment Council to identify such companies using an independent privacy firm, then divest funds by January 1 of the second year after the bill takes effect. Annual reports must track divestment progress and list companies still holding prohibited investments, while protecting officials from legal liability for compliance actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in New Jersey to notify owners of attachments (like cable or phone lines) on "double utility poles" - outdated poles still in use after a replacement was installed. Attachment owners must remove their equipment within 10 business days of notification, then notify the pole owner. The pole owner must remove the outdated pole within 5 business days of receiving confirmation of attachment removal. The law aims to eliminate safety hazards and outdated infrastructure by streamlining the removal process.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 279 would make landlord-tenant court records confidential for 60 days after filing. Records would remain confidential permanently if the tenant wins the case, the case is dismissed, or the tenant prevails in a settlement. Only records resulting in a judgment for the landlord (e.g., eviction) would become public after 75 days, unless appealed. This directly affects tenants in housing disputes and limits how landlords or screening agencies can use court filings to deny rentals based solely on a case being filed. The bill aims to prevent "blacklisting" of tenants who used valid legal defenses, such as withholding rent for unsafe housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sewer authorities from charging new connection or tapping fees when redeveloping properties that have been connected to the sewer system for 20 or more years. It directly affects property owners and occupants of such long-connected properties during redevelopment projects. The law includes an exception if the redevelopment requires modifying or relocating existing sewer connections. Authorities must also refund fees paid under protest for improper charges before this law took effect. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties with greenhead fly nuisance problems to authorize their mosquito commissions to use Rutgers-developed fly box traps for population control. It directly affects coastal counties (especially those relying on tourism) where greenhead flies - abundant June-September - disrupt residents and recreational activities. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to provide grants to counties for funding these trap programs. Key provisions require traps to be manufactured, placed, and maintained in affected areas as the primary method of fly reduction.

Maddy summaryThe SLUMLORD Act strengthens habitability protections for residential tenants in New Jersey by requiring landlords to designate a principal agent who is personally liable for severe habitability violations. The bill creates a new Habitability Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Program within the Department of Community Affairs, funded with $5 million, to provide tenant advocacy and initiate lawsuits on behalf of tenants for habitability violations. Tenants can now seek $1,000 for standard habitability violations and $2,000 for severe violations, plus attorney's fees, and the bill establishes a database to track habitability violations across the state. This legislation directly affects residential tenants, landlords, and the Department of Community Affairs, with key provisions including mandatory principal agent designation and codified tenant remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey mortgage assistance program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners facing mortgage payment difficulties due to qualifying economic hardships (like job loss, illness, or family changes). It provides zero-interest, forgivable loans in four subsidy tiers: "deep" (covers all arrears + 6 months ahead), "moderate" (arrears + 2 months), "shallow" (2 months), or "single" (1 month). Homeowners must commit to living in the home as their primary residence for three years and complete a counseling course before receiving aid. The program is funded with $200 million annually from the state general fund, requiring 25% of funds to target low-income homeowners and 25% to those at imminent risk of homelessness, with annual reports on program effectiveness.