Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A3297 requires law enforcement agencies to follow specific rules when using automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The bill mandates annual audits by county prosecutors or the Attorney General to ensure ALPR data is used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes, and it requires agencies to submit detailed annual reports to the Attorney General covering ALPR usage, data storage, and data requests (including out-of-state and federal requests). All ALPR data must be retained for exactly two years before deletion, though agencies may request early purge for valid reasons like reducing storage costs. Unauthorized access to ALPR data is defined as a punishable offense, with penalties including fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the Division of Food and Nutrition from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to the Department of Human Services (DHS). It directly affects programs like the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Emergency Food Assistance Program, which the division administers. The transfer moves all functions, staff, and responsibilities of the division to DHS immediately, updating all references to the division in law and policy. The change follows standard procedures under New Jersey's State Agency Transfer Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A3302) amends New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) to lower the thresholds requiring permits from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for coastal development. It now mandates permits for residential projects with three or more units and commercial developments with five or more parking spaces within 150 feet of the shoreline (previously higher thresholds applied). For developments beyond 500 feet in qualifying coastal municipalities, permits are required for residential projects with 25+ units or commercial projects with 50+ parking spaces (down from 75+ and 150+). The bill also removes three existing exemptions, including for disaster reconstruction and pier expansions, affecting developers planning medium-scale projects in coastal zones.
Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 94) urges the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to classify crimes committed by white supremacist and white nationalist groups as domestic terrorism, rather than hate crimes or gang-related incidents. It seeks to change how the FBI categorizes these acts to prioritize them under domestic terrorism protocols, which would allocate more federal resources and counterterrorism expertise to investigate and prosecute such cases. The resolution directly targets the FBI’s classification practices, aiming to improve federal response to violence linked to white supremacist groups. It does not create new law but requests a policy shift to address the current practice of handling these crimes as lower-priority hate crimes. The resolution was sponsored by Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly and will be sent to federal officials, including the FBI Director.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 292) removes a past conviction for a serious criminal offense as a barrier to serving on a jury in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with prior convictions under New Jersey, state, or federal law who were previously disqualified from jury service. The bill amends state law by deleting the disqualifying clause in N.J.S.2B:20-1, making these individuals eligible for jury duty. The change applies immediately upon enactment, updating jury selection lists to include qualified citizens with past convictions.
Maddy summaryS 1575 establishes a three-year pilot program called the MOM Project within New Jersey's Department of Health, targeting low-income pregnant women and new mothers who are not enrolled in Medicaid and live in medically underserved areas. The program requires maternal health consortia to provide at least three hours of culturally tailored oral health education (covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention) followed by assessments, then partners with community dental centers to deliver one year of dental care including cleanings, cavity assessments, and necessary treatments. It appropriates $4,150,000 for implementation and data collection to evaluate impacts on maternal and child oral health outcomes. The initiative directly affects eligible mothers in underserved communities by addressing barriers like lack of insurance and language access.
Maddy summaryS 1983 would eliminate the requirement for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey to practice under physician collaboration or supervision, allowing them to provide care independently. This directly affects APNs - over 75% of whom specialize in primary care - and aims to improve healthcare access in underserved communities, including areas with physician shortages and among racial/ethnic minorities, low-income populations, and those facing transportation barriers. The bill cites that 24 states and the District of Columbia already permit full practice authority for APNs, and during pandemic waivers (Executive Order 112), no adverse incidents occurred while APNs practiced without restrictions. It states removing these barriers could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38 percent, aligning New Jersey with other states to address chronic shortages in primary care services.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program allowing opioid treatment programs in Atlantic City, Camden, and Paterson to use telehealth for remote monitoring of patients receiving take-home methadone doses. It appropriates $225,000 ($75,000 per participating program) to cover costs and requires each program to report annually on patient outcomes, treatment compliance, and cost savings like reduced transportation needs. Participation is voluntary for patients, and programs must use department-approved telehealth technology. The pilot aims to evaluate whether remote methadone dosing improves treatment adherence and lowers costs, with a final report due to the Governor and Legislature within four years to inform potential statewide expansion.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus safety laws to authorize using school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It changes penalties for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses: violations captured by these systems will result in only a $250 civil penalty (instead of potential fines or jail time), with funds directed to municipalities and school districts for safety programs. The law applies to buses transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities when stopped to load/unload. It does not create new monitoring systems but specifies how existing systems can be used to enforce stop laws through civil penalties.