Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryS 269, the "Palisades Cliffs Protection Act," limits new building heights in a specific zone east of the Palisades cliffs and west of the Hudson River in Hudson and Bergen counties. It prohibits new construction (including rooftop structures) from exceeding 10 feet below the lowest point of the cliff wall or Palisade Avenue's surface elevation, whichever is lower. This directly affects developers and property owners planning new buildings in that area. The bill aims to preserve scenic views and the natural topography for residents in historic neighborhoods above the cliffs, as stated in its official summary.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to expand eligibility for accidental disability benefits. It allows state employees who worked at a psychiatric institution or correctional facility immediately before joining PERS to apply for benefits if they sustained a work-related injury after January 2003 - even if the injury occurred before they became a PERS member. The key change deems such injuries as happening during membership, making the employee eligible for the benefit. This adjustment specifically applies to injuries from duties at these facilities, without altering the requirement that injuries must be work-related and reported within five years (with exceptions for delayed symptoms).

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's legal definition of child abuse or neglect to include situations where a child is harmed by someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, specifically adding that "another child under the age of 18" can cause abuse. It directly affects children who experience harm from peers or other non-guardian individuals, such as through physical injury, sexual abuse, or excessive punishment. The key change clarifies that acts by non-parents - including other minors - will now be considered abuse under state law, while explicitly stating this does not apply in day schools. This amendment ensures broader protection for children harmed by individuals outside their immediate family or guardianship.

Maddy summaryS 295 requires most private employers in New Jersey to provide employees with two hours of paid leave annually to vote in general elections. This applies to all employees (excluding construction workers under union contracts, per diem healthcare staff, and public employees already covered by existing voting leave policies) who give two business days' advance notice. Employers must offer fully paid leave usable at the start or end of a work shift on election day and display notices about the policy 10 days before elections. Violations would be enforced under New Jersey's existing wage law, with penalties including fines and employee lawsuits. The bill directly affects private-sector workers seeking to vote during general elections without losing pay.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mail-in ballot application forms to include prepaid postage, paid by the State, so voters no longer need to purchase stamps when returning their completed forms. It directly affects voters who apply for mail-in ballots by mail, removing a cost barrier to requesting ballots. The requirement will be implemented after the 2023 primary election as part of amendments to New Jersey's election law. The bill ensures that the cost of mailing applications does not fall on voters.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 277) clarifies and updates the state's sexual assault laws by explicitly defining "consent" as "freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement" and stating that sexual penetration without such consent constitutes sexual assault. It amends definitions of key terms like "sexual penetration" (including vaginal, anal, or oral contact) and "victim" to specify circumstances where consent cannot be given (e.g., if the victim is physically helpless, mentally incapacitated, or underage). The bill directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing clearer legal standards for prosecuting sexual assault, particularly in cases involving coercion, incapacitation, or minors. It does not change penalty structures but ensures consent is a central legal requirement for all sexual assault cases under the revised statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 298) allows New Jersey municipalities holding regular elections in May to extend their early voting period by adding seven days. Specifically, it permits local governments to adopt ordinances enabling early voting to begin on the 11th calendar day before the election (instead of the current 4th day), while still ending on the second day before the election. The change directly affects municipalities that conduct May elections under the Uniform Nonpartisan Elections Law. It provides local officials flexibility to expand early voting access without altering the end date or voting technology requirements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 581 creates a new criminal offense for entering animal enclosures without permission and harassing wild animals (including zoo animals), with penalties escalating based on harm caused. It classifies the offense as a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) if no harm occurs, a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months jail or $10,000 fine) for injury, or a third-degree crime (3-5 years jail or $15,000 fine) if the animal is killed. Convicted individuals must pay for damages to the animal or property, and parents/guardians may be liable if a juvenile committed the offense through their negligence. The law explicitly prohibits defenses claiming inadequate enclosure security, animal provocation by presence alone, or self-defense as justification.

Maddy summaryS 266 makes it a crime to knowingly post a judge's, prosecutor's, or court administrative staff member's home address or unpublished phone number online when done with intent to cause harassment or harm, or in reckless disregard of such risk. This law directly affects judges, prosecutors, and court administrative personnel by protecting their personal contact details from public online disclosure. Violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill aims to prevent online harassment targeting court staff by criminalizing the unauthorized sharing of their private information.

Maddy summaryS 310 requires New Jersey state correctional facilities to allow inmates with disabilities to use service animals or "incarcerated person companion animals" (pets kept for companionship) under a structured program. Inmates must apply through a process managed by the Department of Corrections, with requests evaluated within 30 days for feasibility and need, including documentation of animal vaccinations. The bill mandates specific rules for animal care, hours of use, and safety protocols, while appropriating state funds for implementation. This directly affects disabled inmates in state facilities and establishes new procedures for animal access during incarceration.