Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3085) increases penalties for selling single cigarettes or cigarettes in packs of fewer than 20. It directly affects retailers and vending machine owners who sell these products. The law doubles fines: vending machine owners face $200-$1,000 per day for violations (up from $100-$500), while retailers pay $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses (up from $250 and $500). The policy change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey State Parole Board to proactively review certain parolees serving life sentences who are currently on parole supervision. It mandates that eligible parolees - those who have served at least seven years on parole and maintained advanced supervision status for the prior two years - must be administratively reviewed for possible parole discharge. The review must occur within 60 days of the bill’s enactment, replacing the current process where a parole officer’s recommendation was required. This applies specifically to individuals sentenced under Titles 2A or 2C of New Jersey Statutes. The bill is pending and not yet law.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Homelessness Prevention Program to add a new requirement: landlords must pay a fee when filing eviction cases related to unpaid rent. It sets strict eligibility rules for assistance, requiring applicants to be New Jersey residents facing imminent homelessness due to eviction, foreclosure, or inability to pay rent/mortgage, with income capped at 80% of area median income. The program prioritizes vulnerable groups like seniors (62+), people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, and families with children facing separation. Assistance for mortgage issues must be for owner-occupied homes owned for at least one year, and applicants must exhaust other financial resources before qualifying. The bill does not change existing program funding but establishes new administrative criteria for aid distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey school districts serving grades 4-12 to hold an annual, multi-day bullying prevention program lasting three to five days. The program must provide age-appropriate sessions for students covering topics like cyberbullying prevention, bystander intervention, empathy, and conflict resolution, with all students required to attend sessions matching their grade level. Districts must also provide staff training on bullying prevention as part of this program, and may use the new "Bullying Prevention Fund" (created by this bill) to secure grants for implementation if resources are lacking. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner of Education withholding state aid from the district.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey business income taxes for developers who build or rehabilitate rental housing exclusively reserved for veterans. The credit covers 10% of "approved costs" (including land, construction, materials, and labor) for qualifying projects, with a maximum annual credit of $5 million statewide. Developers must reserve all units for veterans for at least 15 years and apply for state approval through the Department of Community Affairs. The policy directly affects developers of new or rehabilitated rental properties meeting specific veteran-occupancy requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3080, designated as Brianna's Law, prohibits transporting, selling, or slaughtering pregnant cows (gestating cows) in New Jersey. It directly affects farmers, livestock transporters, and slaughter facilities that handle pregnant cows. The bill amends animal cruelty laws to classify violating this prohibition as a fourth-degree crime, imposing fines of $3,000 to $10,000 per conviction, overriding existing fine provisions. This law specifically targets the treatment of pregnant cows, adding a new criminal penalty to existing animal welfare statutes. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Economic Growth Committee.

Maddy summaryThe bill titled "Addresses various concerns affecting post-release employment" (S 3083) does not actually address post-release employment. The provided text amends New Jersey's alcohol licensing statute (R.S.33:1-26), focusing on winery and liquor business regulations. Key provisions include rules for transferring licenses between business locations, restrictions on who may be employed in alcohol-related businesses (such as prohibiting those convicted of certain crimes from handling alcohol), and requirements for director approval for specific employment. This bill is unrelated to employment support for formerly incarcerated individuals, as its content centers solely on alcohol licensing procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide trauma-informed reentry support services to certain defendants who were victims of domestic violence or abuse that contributed to their criminal behavior. It directly affects individuals sentenced under N.J.S.2C:44-1 or eligible for resentencing under pending Senate Bill 4870 (S4870), including access to mental health counseling, peer recovery support, vocational training, and housing assistance. Key mechanisms include creating a Department of Corrections grant program to fund community-based reentry services - prioritizing organizations led by trauma survivors - and mandating collaboration between corrections, courts, and public defense. The bill also requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including recidivism, employment, and housing data for participants. These services are tied to S4870, which establishes resentencing options for abuse victims whose trauma contributed to their crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and private colleges and universities receiving state operating aid to implement specific measures regarding sexual harassment and violence. It mandates annual training for designated "responsible employees" (including faculty, campus police, administrators, health staff, and resident advisors) on how to respond to student reports, disclose confidentiality limits to victims, and report incidents to institutional authorities. The training covers reporting requirements for incidents occurring on campus, at institution-related off-campus events, or via electronic communication during school activities. Institutions must investigate all reported incidents and take appropriate action to resolve them.

Maddy summaryS 3073 requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to provide extra notices about state contracting opportunities to vendors and potential vendors offering home health care services to state agencies. This includes posting updates on their website and sending direct notifications via email, phone, or certified mail to those under current contracts, who have requested updates, or who show interest. The bill adds these requirements to existing notification rules, ensuring home health care providers get timely information about new or expanded contracts. It directly affects home health care businesses seeking state contracts but doesn't change service standards or funding.