Sen. Gordon Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time window from 7 to 10 days for workers who leave a job for a new one that later gets rescinded. It prevents disqualification from unemployment benefits if a worker accepts a new job offer starting within 10 days of leaving their current position, provided the new job’s pay and hours match or exceed their previous role, and the rescission wasn’t their fault. The change specifically applies when a worker gives notice to their first employer about a planned departure date, and the second job offer is withdrawn. This adjustment aims to protect workers who face unexpected loss of new employment opportunities after voluntarily leaving their prior job.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mortgage loan originators (people who help clients obtain home loans) in New Jersey to work from home or other remote locations under specific conditions. It requires originators to follow written supervision policies, maintain secure access to customer information via a security plan, avoid in-person customer meetings at home (unless the home is a licensed office), and not store physical records remotely. The law directly affects mortgage loan originators and their employers, who must implement these safeguards. It modifies New Jersey's existing mortgage lending regulations to permit remote work while maintaining consumer protection standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3604 exempts specific workers and organizations from New Jersey's Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. The bill adds exemptions for family members, house sitters, pet sitters, dog walkers, home-based business workers (like day-care providers), home repair contractors, state employees, kinship guardians, licensed health aides, and home care agencies when using licensed workers. This means these excluded groups are no longer covered by the bill's labor standards, such as minimum wage, overtime, and anti-discrimination protections. The bill does not affect protections for other domestic workers who remain subject to the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect the home addresses and unpublished phone numbers of certain public officials and their families. It requires the Office of Information Privacy to create a portal where authorized individuals (like family members or legal representatives) can request private entities - such as websites or businesses - to stop sharing this information online. Private entities that fail to comply face criminal penalties: reckless violations are fourth-degree crimes, and intentional violations are third-degree crimes. The law directly affects judicial officers, law enforcement personnel, child protective investigators, legislators, and their immediate family members living in the same household.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their family members (defined as spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) experiencing mental health crises or suicidal distress. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers who meet geographic criteria to ensure services are accessible within a one-hour travel distance. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, select providers, and publish a list of approved services online, aiming to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to automatically approve physician applications for provider networks if the physician holds a valid, unrevoked medical license from the state Board of Medical Examiners. It applies to both new applications and renewals, streamlining the process for licensed physicians seeking to join insurance networks. Carriers may request additional non-duplicative information but cannot deny applications based solely on license status. The law affects physicians seeking network participation and insurers managing provider credentialing.

Maddy summaryS 1082 creates the "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" to support New Jersey's craft beverage industry. It establishes a certification program for retailers selling at least 10% of their alcohol sales from local craft producers (breweries, cideries, distilleries), requiring them to display "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" signage. Qualified retailers can apply for grants up to $2,500 annually to fund capital improvements or promotional activities related to selling New Jersey-made beverages. Funding comes from 50% of tax revenues on craft beverage sales, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with input from the Division of Travel and Tourism.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Hackensack City as an urban enterprise zone under New Jersey law. It directly affects businesses operating within Hackensack that meet eligibility criteria, such as hiring residents from the zone or low-income individuals. The bill amends existing law to formally include Hackensack in the list of designated urban enterprise zones, allowing qualifying businesses to access tax benefits previously available in such zones. This is a procedural designation, not a new policy, and does not change existing tax provisions or create new obligations. The designation aligns Hackensack with other municipalities already recognized under the Urban Enterprise Zone program.