Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill allows bingo halls, raffle organizers, and penny auction venues in New Jersey to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic payments for tickets or participation. It requires the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to create regulations enabling this change, which is currently not permitted under existing law. The policy directly affects licensed operators of these games and participants who prefer digital payment methods. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, updating payment options for these specific legalized games of chance.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers 200 probation officers from the Judiciary to the State Parole Board's Bureau of Probation. It grants these officers law enforcement powers, including the ability to carry firearms and enforce warrants against probationers who violate conditions (currently 15,000 such warrants exist). The transfer preserves existing contracts, benefits, and retirement status for affected employees, while shifting administrative oversight from courts to the Parole Board. The change aims to improve public safety by enabling probation officers to directly address warrant violations, following a prior unconstitutional attempt to grant similar authority in 2001.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state, county, private, and juvenile correctional facilities to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services for incarcerated people. It eliminates all costs for both inmates and their families by banning per-minute charges (previously up to 11 cents), surcharges, commissions, or fees on these services. Facilities must maintain current access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates funds from the General Fund to cover implementation costs and takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover prescription drugs for "serious mental illness" (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD) without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It directly affects individuals with these diagnoses who rely on insurance for mental health medications. Key provisions ban insurers from forcing patients to try lower-cost treatments first (step therapy) or requiring pre-approval for covered medications. The bill also mandates insurers to report how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure parity with physical health benefits. This creates immediate, concrete changes to medication access for covered mental health conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 194) modifies how New Jersey allocates state aid to school districts for providing auxiliary and remedial services (like speech correction, examinations, and supplementary instruction) to students attending nonpublic schools. It establishes a new formula for calculating aid amounts based on historical service data, requires annual reporting of eligible students, and mandates districts to budget for these services using state aid. The changes directly affect nonpublic school students needing these services and the local school districts responsible for delivering them. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as part of P.L.2025, c.252.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that civilian public safety directors (appointed by municipalities, counties, or the state to lead police departments) do not have police powers. It specifically prohibits them from performing law enforcement duties like stopping or arresting people, wearing police uniforms, carrying firearms, accessing criminal records, or directing police investigations. The law ensures these civilian managers cannot exercise operational police functions, maintaining a clear separation between administrative leadership and sworn law enforcement roles. The bill directly affects all municipal, county, and state police departments in New Jersey that use civilian directors for public safety oversight.

Maddy summaryS 2630 creates a $1.5 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Division of Local Government Services to help municipalities and counties improve operational efficiency. Local governments can apply for grants up to $150,000 (for counties) or $100,000 (for municipalities), with the recipient required to contribute 25% of the grant amount. The program funds efficiency reviews conducted by licensed consultants, focusing on shared services, cost savings, and service delivery improvements. Recipients must submit detailed reports on fund use, achieved savings, and operational changes within one year, with results compiled into public reports for the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2732) allows courts to award attorney's fees to the winning party in legal disputes where a municipality fails to provide services or pay for services to "qualified private communities" (like planned residential developments under existing law). It also gives courts discretion to impose civil penalties of $2,500-$10,000 per violation against municipalities that breach these service requirements. The law applies specifically to cases under P.L.1989, c.299 (N.J. Stat. § 40:67-23.2 et seq.), and requires detailed fee applications from parties seeking reimbursement. The bill aims to encourage settlements and reduce costly litigation over municipal service obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2750) clarifies that New Jersey residents can voluntarily surrender ammunition to law enforcement agencies in the same manner as firearms, requiring written notice to the local chief of police or state police superintendent. It mandates that gun buyback programs authorized by the Attorney General or county prosecutors must accept both firearms and ammunition, and may offer rewards for surrendered items. The bill explicitly confirms that existing law permits these programs but removes ambiguity about ammunition surrender, making the process clearer for participants and law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey disabled veterans to deduct up to $5,000 annually from their gross income for service animal expenses, including purchasing, training, and maintenance costs like food, grooming, and veterinary care. To qualify, a veteran must be a New Jersey resident honorably discharged from military service with a service-connected disability as confirmed by the U.S. Veterans Administration. The deduction applies to expenses not already covered by existing medical expense deductions and requires submitting proof of eligibility to the Division of Taxation. It will take effect for tax returns filed for the 2024 tax year and beyond.