Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3694 prohibits businesses from owning, controlling, installing, managing, selling, or offering cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. It defines cryptocurrency as decentralized digital currency and specifies that crypto ATMs are internet-connected kiosks allowing users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using debit cards, credit cards, or cash. The bill amends existing consumer fraud law to make these activities unlawful, with penalties including fines up to $20,000 per violation and potential court-ordered restitution. This directly affects businesses operating or planning to operate crypto ATMs in New Jersey, aiming to address rising fraud losses - reported at over $110 million in 2023 - particularly impacting seniors with median losses of $10,000.
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Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3698) allows surviving spouses of retired police or firefighters (PFRS members) who died due to work-related injuries or complications to keep state-paid health insurance (SHBP) and continue receiving pension benefits even after remarriage. It requires surviving spouses to provide documented proof that the injury causing the member's disability was a significant factor in their death. Eligible spouses can also apply to reinstate pensions terminated due to remarriage before this law took effect. The state covers all health insurance premiums for the spouse and dependent children and pays any increased retirement system costs from continued pension payments.
Maddy summaryS 3692 requires veterinarians to provide clear, written and verbal disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead animals, detailing the testing process, body handling, disposal (including that the head may not be returned for cremation or burial), and prohibiting misleading language. It mandates that veterinarians distribute a bilingual pamphlet explaining rabies testing protocols and burial/cremation implications to owners at the time of rabies vaccination, and display a related poster in their offices. The bill also establishes an optional mental health training program for veterinarians and staff, which grants certification upon completion to promote trauma-informed care and reduce mental health stigma in the veterinary industry. Violations of the disclosure requirements are subject to consumer fraud penalties under state law.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 3657 prohibits landlords and property management software companies from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental prices and supply, which the bill states may reduce competition and raise rents. It defines a "coordinator" as any entity (including property owners using their own software) that collects price data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or occupancy levels. The bill makes it unlawful to contract with such services or facilitate price-fixing agreements, aligning with New Jersey's Antitrust Act. This directly affects landlords, property management software providers, and rental markets, targeting practices cited as contributing to a 35% median rent increase for three-bedroom units since 2021.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3658 establishes a statewide rent cap, limiting annual rent increases for most residential properties to 5% plus the cost-of-living change or 10%, whichever is lower. This directly affects most renters in the state, including those in apartments and multi-unit buildings, but excludes non-residential properties, affordable housing units, dormitories, newly constructed buildings (within 15 years), single-family homes meeting specific landlord criteria, and duplexes where the landlord resides. Landlords violating the cap would face penalties under New Jersey’s consumer fraud law, and tenants could challenge unlawful increases or use violations as a defense in eviction cases. The bill applies retroactively to rent increases since September 1, 2024, and does not override stricter local rent control ordinances.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption requiring pretrial detention for defendants charged with sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2) or criminal sexual contact (N.J.S.2C:14-3) when the victim is a minor, or endangering the welfare of a child (N.J.S.2C:24-4). It directly affects individuals facing these specific child abuse charges in New Jersey courts. Under the law, prosecutors can seek detention for these cases, but defendants may challenge the presumption by presenting evidence showing that reasonable bail or release conditions would ensure court appearance and community safety. This changes existing bail procedures by adding these offenses to the list where detention is presumed unless rebutted, rather than requiring prosecutors to prove risk factors upfront.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of refined precious metal bullion (like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars) and high-value numismatic coins ($1,000 or more) from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects buyers purchasing these specific investment-grade items, not jewelry or art made from them. The law defines "investment bullion" as unprocessed metals where value depends on metal content, excluding fabricated items like jewelry. It also excludes commemorative medallions and coins used in artistic works from the exemption.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, alongside existing categories like race, religion, and sexual orientation. It requires law enforcement to properly classify anti-Sikh hate crimes and provides $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness education and outreach initiatives. The bill mandates training for law enforcement on Sikh identity features (such as turbans and beards) to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. It also requires public entities to incorporate anti-Sikh hate definitions into their bias policies and directs the Attorney General to develop educational programs about Sikhism for schools. These measures address the fact that Sikhs are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes in the U.S., with 198 anti-Sikh hate incidents reported by the FBI in 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey volunteer firefighters to receive free, periodic cancer screenings every three years (starting after three years of service) for 11 specific cancers, including colon, lung, breast, and prostate. It mandates that State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) physicians and approved providers offer these screenings without any co-payments, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for the firefighter. The state will reimburse participating providers up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period, and fire districts must maintain records to facilitate payment. The bill extends existing benefits currently available to paid firefighters under state law to volunteer firefighters serving in fire districts, departments, or companies across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2470, now P.L.2024, c.56) makes three key changes to New Jersey's judicial and prosecutorial compensation and retirement systems. It allows county prosecutors to earn retirement credit for prior judicial clerkship service without extra cost, increases the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division's salary to $218,545.82, and sets county prosecutors' base salary at $204,166.50 starting January 2024. It also permits retired judges to collect their pension while serving as county prosecutor. These changes directly affect current and future county prosecutors, judges, and retired judges returning to prosecutorial roles.