Maddy summaryNew Jersey S 3164 establishes a 11-member Reparations Task Force to study the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery and systemic racial discrimination on Black communities in New Jersey. The task force, appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, review current racial disparities in voting, housing, wealth, education, and youth justice, and develop recommendations for reparative policies. The task force will hold six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report within 24 months. The bill creates a formal process for New Jersey to address its historical role in slavery and its lasting effects through research, community input, and policy recommendations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires county boards to set annual salaries for specific county officers (like county executives, supervisors, managers, commissioners, and department heads) through formal ordinances. It clarifies that compensation excluded from an officer's or employee's pensionable salary (i.e., not counted toward retirement benefits) does not need to be set via ordinance. The law amends New Jersey's Optional County Charter Law to standardize how these salaries are determined. It directly affects county governing bodies and the listed county employees whose pay is subject to this ordinance requirement. The change streamlines salary-setting procedures without altering pension eligibility rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime in New Jersey. It specifically changes the law so that unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling (like a home) or structure meant for overnight stays - regardless of whether anyone is inside - becomes a second-degree offense. This change means convicted individuals would face mandatory minimum sentences requiring them to serve 85% of their prison term before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act (NERA). The bill amends existing burglary statutes (N.J.S.2C:18-2) and NERA sentencing rules (P.L.1997, c.117) to include residential burglary in the list of second-degree crimes triggering this 85% requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance plans (carriers) to cover at least one abuse-deterrent opioid pain medication per active ingredient on their prescription formulary. It mandates that cost-sharing (like copays) for these abuse-deterrent drugs cannot exceed the lowest cost-sharing for similar non-abuse-deterrent opioids. The bill also prohibits requiring patients to try non-abuse-deterrent opioids first before accessing abuse-deterrent options. This applies to all health benefits plans delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey after the 90-day effective date following enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3124 establishes a "Mass Violence Care Fund" with $10 million to help victims of mass violence events cover health care and related expenses not paid by insurance or other sources. The fund, administered by the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, will use investment earnings (not the $10 million principal) to pay for eligible costs like medical bills, mental health services, funeral expenses, and lost wages for victims and their families. Payments cannot be made sooner than three years after an event, cannot replace insurance coverage, and require rules developed by a state working group within nine months. The fund will only cover costs not otherwise paid for by public or private sources, with eligibility criteria to be set by the working group before any payments are made.
Maddy summaryS 3093 creates a faster court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who have never been tenants, never paid rent, and lack any legal right to the property. Property owners must file a verified complaint with specific certifications (e.g., no prior lease, no rent payments), and courts must schedule a hearing within five business days. If the court confirms the owner's claims, it issues a writ of possession for immediate removal, and the owner may seek triple damages for the unauthorized occupancy. The bill also criminalizes document forgery to circumvent this process.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using fireworks on any property directly next to animal shelters, pounds, or kennels in New Jersey. It directly affects anyone who uses fireworks near these facilities, including residents, event organizers, or visitors. The key provision adds a new rule to existing fireworks law, making it unlawful to ignite or discharge fireworks on adjacent land, public roads, or alleys within that zone. Violating this rule is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law aims to protect animals from the stress and danger of nearby fireworks explosions.
Maddy summaryS 3060 requires all health insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover annual prostate cancer screening without out-of-pocket costs for men aged 40 to 75. This expands current law, which previously only mandated coverage for men 50+ or 40+ with risk factors, by broadening the age range and defining "prostate cancer screening" to include digital rectal exams, PSA tests, and follow-up diagnostics like imaging and biomarker tests. The bill applies to all health plans, including group policies, HMOs, individual plans, and state health benefit programs. It takes effect 90 days after enactment for all new or renewed contracts.
Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey establishes new protections for voters in racial, color, and language-minority groups. It requires that all voting policies be interpreted in favor of protecting voting rights and prohibits policies that burden these voters. The law creates a preclearance process for certain political subdivisions needing Attorney General approval before implementing voting changes. It also mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters and establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to authorize their municipal clerks, rather than the full governing body, to provide written statements supporting affordable housing projects. This change would make it easier for housing projects to qualify for state funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund by accepting a clerk's statement instead of requiring a formal resolution from the entire municipal council. The bill also streamlines the application process for housing loans by allowing the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to accept the clerk's statement as proof of municipal need. It applies to any affordable housing project that conforms to the municipality's fair share housing plan. The bill is designed to simplify the process for communities to support affordable housing development without requiring full council approval for every project.