Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3069) expands eligibility for criminal record expungement by removing two key restrictions: it eliminates the previous cap on the number of convictions a person may have expunged, and it removes the limit on how many times someone can receive expungement. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with criminal records who previously faced barriers due to these caps. Key provisions include treating certain marijuana-related offenses as disorderly persons violations (not crimes) for expungement purposes, and allowing applications after five years from the most recent conviction, payment of fines, or release from incarceration. The bill aims to make the expungement process more accessible for individuals with multiple convictions.
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Maddy summaryThis bill (S 402) creates confidentiality rules for landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey. It prohibits public access to these records for 60 days after filing, and permanently blocks access for records where tenants win cases, settle favorably, or file valid legal claims against landlords. Landlords and tenant screening agencies can only access records if a judgment for possession is entered and no appeal occurs. The law directly affects tenants (by protecting their records from being used to deny housing) and landlords (who lose access to basic filing data for screening purposes).
Maddy summaryS 3060 establishes a three-year Gun Court Pilot Program in Passaic County's Superior Court. The program will handle criminal cases where a gun or dangerous weapon was used in violent crimes, with judges required to have specialized expertise in criminal law and sentencing. The Administrative Office of the Courts will administer the program, monitor its impact on sentencing and court workload, and report to the legislature after 12 months and at program end. If successful, the program could be expanded statewide. The bill does not change sentencing laws but creates a specialized court structure for gun-violence cases.
Maddy summaryS 3040 creates a 23-member "New Jersey Eviction Crisis Task Force" to study eviction trends and impacts across the state. The task force, including government officials, legislators, legal experts, and tenant advocates, will examine causes of eviction, its effects on families and communities, and potential policy solutions. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of forming. This bill does not change current laws but aims to inform future housing policies by analyzing eviction data and existing programs. The task force will expire once its report is issued.
Maddy summaryThis bill would create a publicly accessible online registry of individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses in New Jersey, separate from existing records. It requires courts to mandate counseling (6 months to 2 years depending on offense history), community service (minimum 1 year), and increased fines ($500 to $5,000 per offense) for convicted offenders. The registry would include personal details like name, physical description, vehicle info, and address, with removal options after 2-20 years based on offense count (excluding severe cases like homicide or sexual assault). The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of January 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from firing or punishing employees who cannot work due to a declared state of emergency (e.g., natural disasters or evacuations). It specifically protects most workers - excluding healthcare personnel, public safety staff, and utility contractors - from adverse actions like termination or loss of benefits during emergencies. Employers cannot force employees to use sick leave for emergency absences, though they aren’t required to pay employees who aren’t working. Employees must notify employers of their absence and return when safe, with violations carrying fines up to $10,000 per offense.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords from charging more than $5 per month for online rent payments, such as credit/debit card or digital transfer fees. Landlords must cover any fees exceeding $5 or reimburse tenants within 10 days, and provide itemized receipts showing compliance. It directly affects renters - especially low-income tenants, seniors, and disabled individuals - who often face these extra charges. The law aims to prevent exploitative costs while aligning with existing housing protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts creditors from paying municipal property registration fees when a property is under an automatic stay in federal bankruptcy proceedings. It directly affects creditors involved in foreclosure cases that enter bankruptcy, removing a fee obligation during the bankruptcy process. The key provision amends existing law to create this exemption, ensuring creditors aren't charged fees for properties protected under federal bankruptcy law. The change applies to fees imposed by municipalities under their property registration programs for foreclosure properties. This is a specific policy adjustment to align municipal fees with federal bankruptcy protections.
Maddy summaryS 3109 requires New Jersey health insurance carriers to submit annual reports to the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) by March 1st. These reports must detail how carriers apply medical necessity criteria and non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, comparing them to medical/surgical benefits to ensure parity. Key provisions include analyzing whether processes for mental health coverage are applied no more stringently than for other medical services, covering NQTLs like step therapy, network design, and formulary rules. The bill directly affects all health insurers operating in New Jersey, mandating transparency to verify compliance with federal mental health parity laws. This is a procedural requirement focused on monitoring, not altering coverage.
Maddy summaryS 2346 extends health insurance coverage for adult children with disabilities beyond the typical age limit of 26. It requires health plans to continue coverage for individuals 26 or older who have an intellectual disability or physical handicap and are chiefly dependent on their parent for support. The law prohibits health plans from denying coverage based on factors like marriage, having a child, or not living with the parent. This applies to hospital, medical, and health service corporation contracts in New Jersey, ensuring continuous coverage for a specific group of disabled adults who rely on parental support.