Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill broadens the definition of riot to include assemblies of three or more people engaging in violent disorderly conduct causing injury, property damage, or imminent danger. It creates new offenses of "mob intimidation" (using force/threats to compel someone) and "cyber-intimidation by publication" (sharing personal information to incite violence), and enhances penalties for crimes committed during riots. The bill establishes a duty for municipalities to allow law enforcement to respond appropriately during riots and requires pretrial detention for those arrested for these offenses. Penalties range from up to 18 months imprisonment for basic riot offenses to up to 10 years for aggravated riot.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires utility companies (like electric, gas, and water providers) to notify New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) about planned service work at least five business days in advance, unless it's an emergency. The BPU must create and maintain a real-time online database sharing this information, accessible to all government agencies and utility providers. This system aims to improve coordination for planning roadwork and other projects in public rights-of-way. Emergency repairs have a separate, immediate notification process. The bill takes effect immediately but remains inactive for 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens New Jersey's existing child-protection window guard law by requiring landlords and condo associations to install and maintain approved window guards on windows in rental units where children under 10 live or are regularly present. It applies to apartment buildings and condo complexes, with landlords covering individual units and condo associations handling common areas (like hallways). The law specifies guards must be safe for emergencies (removable without tools from inside) but secure otherwise, and mandates annual tenant safety orientations and twice-yearly inspections. Tenants can temporarily waive the requirement in writing but may later rescind that waiver.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1966) requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover specific medically necessary infertility treatments, directly affecting insurers and patients seeking fertility care. It mandates coverage for services like IVF, genetic testing, medications, and diagnostic procedures as defined by medical guidelines, while limiting IVF coverage to cases where less expensive treatments have failed, capping egg retrievals at four per person, and requiring coverage for those who've reversed sterilization. Religious employers may opt out of covering certain procedures (like IVF) if it conflicts with their beliefs, but must disclose this in writing. The bill was introduced in January 2024 but was withdrawn on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the requirement for landlords to provide written receipts for cash rent payments to cover more rental properties. It removes the current exception that excluded landlords of small properties (like duplexes or triplexes owned by the landlord), now requiring all landlords renting one or more dwelling units for at least one month to issue receipts - except for hotels, motels, or transient lodging. The receipt must include the payment amount, date, purpose, and names of both parties. Violations carry escalating fines ($100 for a second offense, $200 more for each subsequent violation within five years). The change directly affects small-scale residential landlords who previously were exempt from this receipt requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey's senior property tax freeze benefit is delivered. It converts the current system - where qualifying seniors and disabled homeowners receive a separate refund check for property tax savings - into a direct credit applied to their annual property tax bill. The key mechanism eliminates the need for a separate reimbursement payment, instead reducing the amount owed on the tax bill itself. This directly affects eligible seniors (65+ or disabled persons) who own or rent a primary residence and meet income requirements (e.g., $60,000 or less annual income for single/married filers). The change would streamline the process but does not alter eligibility criteria or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryS 1528 establishes a rebuttable presumption requiring pretrial detention for individuals charged with specific firearm offenses in New Jersey, directly affecting defendants facing charges under N.J.S.2C:39-5 (firearm possession during another crime or when prohibited). The bill mandates that if prosecutors show probable cause for these offenses, courts must presume detention is necessary unless defendants prove otherwise with a preponderance of evidence at a hearing. Key provisions require hearings within three business days of a prosecutor's motion, allow defendants to present evidence to rebut detention, and specify that no bail or conditions would reasonably assure court appearance or community safety. This changes the standard for pretrial release in targeted firearm cases, shifting the burden to defendants to overcome the presumption. The bill does not create new offenses but alters the detention process for existing firearm-related charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey voters to switch political party affiliations on primary election day. Voters can change their party at the polling place by signing a declaration form, or mail-in voters can complete any party's primary ballot to switch affiliation. The bill amends election law to remove the requirement that voters must have declared a party affiliation 55 days before the primary. It directly affects all voters participating in New Jersey's primary elections, whether voting in person or by mail. The key mechanism is the ability to declare a new party affiliation at the time of voting, rather than in advance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1491) reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to members of New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees in these systems by ensuring their benefits automatically increase each year to match inflation, without requiring new legislative action each time. The key mechanism is restoring a provision that had been removed, so benefits rise automatically based on the Consumer Price Index rather than relying on annual budget decisions. This change provides predictable income stability for retirees as living costs change. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime to refuse to provide valid identification to police upon arrest, specifically when done to hinder apprehension or prosecution. It directly affects individuals arrested for offenses who withhold their true identity or valid ID when requested. The key provision adds this refusal as a new violation under New Jersey's hindering apprehension law, with penalties matching those for giving false information - ranging from a fourth-degree crime (for minor offenses) to a mandatory one-year prison term for serious cases like hit-and-runs causing death. Family members (spouse, parent, child) face reduced penalties for similar acts. The bill is pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.