Sen. Benjie Wimberly

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3039) clarifies and codifies safety requirements for inflatable carnival rides in New Jersey, directly affecting ride manufacturers, operators, and event organizers. It requires manufacturers to provide detailed operation manuals with setup instructions and safety protocols, and mandates that every ride display an identification plate listing critical details like manufacturer, capacity, inflation needs, and serial number. Operators must check anchors and tie-downs before use, use approved anchoring methods, evacuate riders during hazardous weather, and avoid operation in high winds exceeding manufacturer limits. The Department of Community Affairs will enforce these rules through regulations.

Maddy summaryS 2771, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration authorities based on immigration detainers. It requires agencies like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to provide services without fear of immigration enforcement, ensuring all residents access public services regardless of immigration status. The bill specifically bans cooperation with "immigration detainers" (requests from federal authorities to detain people) unless supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects immigrant communities by reducing barriers to healthcare, education, and public safety services, while directing state resources toward local priorities instead of federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacies in New Jersey to give local municipalities 90 days' written notice before closing, in addition to existing state and federal notifications. It directly affects all licensed pharmacies and the municipalities where they operate. The key provision mandates written notice to the local governing board 90 days prior to closure, ensuring communities have advance warning. The State Board of Pharmacy must create implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3118 establishes a three-year Remote Methadone Dosing Pilot Program for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson. The bill allows participating OTPs to use telehealth to remotely monitor patients receiving take-home methadone doses, aiming to improve treatment compliance and reduce costs while tracking patient outcomes. Each selected OTP receives a $75,000 grant from a $225,000 state appropriation to implement the program, with annual reporting required on metrics like patient retention and transportation cost savings. The Department of Human Services must submit a final report within four years evaluating the pilot’s effectiveness and recommending potential statewide expansion. Participation is voluntary for both OTPs and patients, and the program operates under existing federal and state regulations.

Maddy summarySJR 66, "J.B.'s Law," would amend New Jersey's Rules of Evidence to prohibit the use of creative or artistic expressions - including music lyrics, rap videos, poetry, or film - as evidence in criminal trials. It specifically targets audio or video content created for artistic purposes, ensuring such material cannot be admitted to prove a defendant's guilt or used for impeachment. The bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases, particularly those in music or artistic fields, by preventing prosecutors from using their creative works against them. Key provisions redefine "relevant evidence" (Rule 401), exclude artistic expression from character evidence rules (Rule 404), and clarify that such works do not constitute "statements" under hearsay rules (Rule 801). The amendment would take effect if adopted by the New Jersey Supreme Court following the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires financial institutions (like banks) that foreclose on properties to remove all lead water pipes on those properties, unless the pipes are owned by the utility company. It applies to all foreclosed properties after the bill takes effect, directly affecting lenders who sell or transfer such properties. The key provision mandates removal of lead pipes - excluding utility-owned lines - to prevent ongoing lead exposure, which is a significant health risk, especially for children. The bill aims to address lead contamination in water by holding financial institutions accountable for property maintenance post-foreclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that workers in the ready-mix concrete industry who are represented by a union for collective bargaining are excluded from New Jersey's earned sick leave law. It specifically amends the definition of "employee" to explicitly include these workers in the existing construction industry exemption. The change affects union-represented concrete industry workers, meaning they are not entitled to accrue or use earned sick leave under the law. This is a technical clarification to ensure consistent application of the existing exemption for construction workers covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness unjustifiable force (per N.J.S.2C:3-7), civil rights violations (per P.L. 2003, c.3), or any criminal offense committed by another officer. The portal also allows anonymous reporting of non-criminal policy violations, with submissions using random identifiers instead of personal details. This directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct.

Maddy summaryS 716, "The Manufactured Home Park Protection Act," would have given residents in New Jersey manufactured home parks the right to purchase their park if the landowner sells it, directly affecting homeowners who live in these communities. Key provisions include requiring landowners to offer the park for sale to resident homeowners first and establishing a state website to notify nonprofits about potential sales. The bill aimed to prevent displacement by expanding residents' ability to collectively buy their park through groups or cooperatives. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being incorporated into an already-approved law (P.L.2025, c.362).