Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1470 establishes that public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks and participate in the federal World Trade Center Health Program are deemed eligible for state workers' compensation benefits for related illnesses or injuries. The bill creates a presumption of compensability regardless of when a claim is filed, provided the worker is enrolled in the federal health program. Workers must file claims within two years of the bill's effective date or when they knew of a disability linked to 9/11 exposure, and prior benefits from federal or other state programs reduce new awards. Employers and government entities must notify affected workers and their families within three months of the bill's enactment about this eligibility.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities over two years, replacing the current fixed $740 million allocation. It prohibits municipalities from counting anticipated revenue from this fund when creating their annual budgets and requires that any additional aid must be subtracted from their property tax levy amounts. The bill directly affects all New Jersey municipalities receiving these state aid payments, including cities, towns, and counties. If enacted, it would provide incremental funding increases while ensuring local tax burdens are adjusted downward proportionally.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to launch a public awareness campaign about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The campaign must inform the public about specific existing laws, including rules for cyclists keeping to the right side of the road (C.39:4-14.2) and rules for motorists safely passing pedestrians or cyclists (C.39:4-92.4), along with associated penalties. It directly affects drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians by providing clear information on current safety regulations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1456) requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create an evidence-based training program on implicit bias for all judges and judicial personnel. It mandates initial training within 90 days of appointment or transfer, plus annual refresher sessions, with the AOC reviewing and updating the program every two years. The bill defines "implicit bias" as unconscious judgments influenced by stereotypes (like those based on race or gender) that operate below conscious awareness. The training aims to address these subtle cognitive patterns in judicial decision-making. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires residential landlords in New Jersey to install durable guards or covers on all radiators exceeding 110°F surface temperature within 90 days of a tenant's written request. It removes the previous requirement for "insulating materials" and expands coverage from "steam radiators" to all radiator types meeting the temperature threshold. Landlords must also provide annual written notice to tenants about this requirement and maintain a copy in common areas. Tenants can seek legal action if injury occurs due to non-compliance, and violations will be enforced under existing fire safety laws rather than a fixed $500 penalty.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey YouthBuild Act, creating a state grant program administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to fund local programs for economically disadvantaged youth, especially those who have not completed high school. It requires funded programs to provide a balanced mix of 50% classroom education (including high school equivalency, life skills, and leadership training) and 50% hands-on construction or rehabilitation work on housing for low-income or homeless individuals. Programs must offer stipends to participants, counseling services, and pathways to industry-recognized credentials, with all projects directly serving community housing needs. The bill appropriates state funds to support these comprehensive education, job training, and housing rehabilitation efforts for eligible youth.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all official sample ballots for general and primary elections in New Jersey to include a clear watermark identifying them as non-voting copies. It mandates that sample ballots must also display the text "This ballot cannot be voted" in large type at the top, along with other standard identifiers like polling place details. The law directly affects voters who receive sample ballots before elections, ensuring they cannot accidentally submit them as valid votes. The key mechanism is the mandatory watermark and prominent labeling to distinguish sample ballots from actual voting ballots.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's property tax levy cap calculation to allow local governments to exclude certain flood insurance cost increases from their tax cap calculations. Specifically, it permits exclusions for flood insurance premium increases exceeding 2% over the prior year's cost in the first four years following changes to federal flood insurance maps. Local units with existing flood insurance can exclude excess increases in year one, while those without coverage get full initial costs excluded in year one. The exclusion applies to years two through four as well, but not beyond the fourth year after map changes. This directly affects municipalities and counties that pay flood insurance premiums impacted by federal map updates.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that violating New Jersey's Insurance Fraud Prevention Act (P.L.1983, c.320) voids a motorist's liability insurance coverage. It directly affects individuals who commit insurance fraud and their victims. If fraud invalidates a policy, the insurer won't cover the fraudulent driver or their victims - but innocent people injured by that driver retain primary access to their own uninsured motorist coverage or the Unsatisfied Claim and Judgment Fund. Crucially, victims using the fund won't face the usual "verbal threshold" requirements for claims.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1592 establishes the first state definition of Islamophobia for use in civil and criminal cases. The bill defines Islamophobia as racism targeting Muslim identity or perceived Muslim identity, including specific examples like stereotyping, verbal abuse, discrimination in institutions, and false conspiracy claims about Muslims. State officials, law enforcement, and educational institutions must use this definition when investigating hate crimes or discrimination cases motivated by anti-Muslim bias under existing laws. The definition explicitly excludes criticism of Muslim-majority countries that would apply equally to other nations, and the bill clarifies it does not override First Amendment protections or existing anti-discrimination laws.