Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 283) requires municipal police chiefs to hold two annual community roundtables on police relations - one in spring and one in fall - focusing on topics like racial profiling, officer recruitment, body camera use, and use-of-force policies. It also mandates the State Police Superintendent to host one regional roundtable per year in each of New Jersey’s three regions, with similar requirements for timing, location, and topic coverage. The law aims to increase community engagement with law enforcement by standardizing these discussions, with immediate effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing death or injury. It doubles the fine range from $2,500-$5,000 to $5,000-$10,000, and maintains the 180-day jail term or combination of both penalties. The law directly affects drivers involved in accidents resulting in death or injury who fail to stop, provide information, or render aid. Key provisions remain unchanged for property damage-only accidents, focusing solely on raising penalties for the most severe cases. The bill does not alter existing license suspension rules but emphasizes stricter financial consequences for leaving the scene of fatal or injurious crashes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all multi-unit residential buildings with three or more stories and two or more dwelling units to install three-hour fire barriers in common attic areas (above separations between units). These barriers must slow fire spread, giving residents more evacuation time and limiting fire damage. Building owners must comply within 180 days after the Commissioner of Community Affairs adopts required rules (within six months of the bill's effective date). The law applies to both new construction (requiring barrier plans in permit applications) and existing buildings needing retrofits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to place a lien on insurance proceeds from fire-damaged properties to cover restoration costs. It applies specifically when a property is deemed a "total loss" due to fire or explosion (requiring demolition for safety), affecting property owners in residential/commercial buildings. The lien covers only real property insurance coverage (including debris removal), must be paid before most other liens (except mortgages), and requires insurers to withhold funds until the lien is satisfied. Municipalities must follow specific procedures, including submitting resolution copies to insurers, to enforce the lien.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 308) requires municipal clerks in New Jersey to post all municipal documents - including forms, license applications, certificates, and renewal documents - on their municipality's official website, unless prohibited by law. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and their appointed municipal clerks, who must now manage these documents online. The key mechanism mandates online posting of these materials and allows municipalities to seek state reimbursement through the Department of the Treasury for implementation costs. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 280) strengthens tenants' rights by allowing them to use unsafe living conditions as a defense in eviction cases for non-payment of rent. It requires landlords to maintain habitable housing, and if conditions violate safety standards (after the tenant notifies them), tenants can reduce rent to the property's value in its defective state and offset repair costs they paid. The law mandates court-ordered inspections by code enforcement officials to verify violations before eviction hearings, and courts must order landlords to fix issues while establishing payment plans for remaining rent. It directly affects residential tenants and landlords statewide, ensuring courts enforce habitability standards without requiring tenants to pay withheld rent to the court.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new fire safety standards for new residential buildings using light-frame construction (wood or metal framing) that contain more than two dwelling units. It requires automatic sprinklers throughout the building, 2-hour fire-rated barriers between units, and mandatory fire watch wardens during construction after hours (or equivalent monitoring technology). Developers must also install placards identifying the building's primary structural systems. These rules apply specifically to multi-unit residential projects classified under the International Building Code as "Residential Group R."

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 271) prohibits public utilities in New Jersey from disconnecting residential electric, gas, water, or sewer service due to nonpayment for 180 days after the end of the coronavirus public health emergency (March 9, 2020). Instead, utilities must offer residential customers deferred payment agreements allowing up to 48 months to repay past-due bills. The requirement applies to all residential customers except in cases of safety emergencies (e.g., hazardous conditions). This policy directly affects households struggling with utility bills during the post-pandemic transition period.

Maddy summarySCR 12 proposes adding a new constitutional prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude in New Jersey, including as punishment for a crime. This amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by prohibiting the state from forcing them to work as a penalty for criminal convictions, though it would not eliminate voluntary prison labor programs. The bill explicitly states that current prison labor - where inmates receive minimal pay - would no longer be permissible as involuntary servitude under the constitution. The change would require a statewide vote following standard constitutional amendment procedures. This amendment addresses a gap in New Jersey's 1776 and 1844 constitutions, which previously contained no language on slavery or involuntary servitude.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school students who suffer a concussion to get a medical evaluation and written clearance from a physician trained in concussion management before returning to school or school-related physical activities. It directly affects students, school districts, and healthcare providers, mandating that schools cannot allow concussed students to participate in recess, physical education, sports, or other physical activities until cleared. Schools must also implement any restrictions recommended by the physician and inform all relevant staff about these limitations. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.