Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) from creating health guidelines, rules, or regulations that are stricter than comparable federal standards set by agencies like the CDC or federal law. It directly affects the DOH's authority to regulate public health matters within New Jersey. The law requires all DOH actions to align with federal baseline requirements and applies retroactively to any existing rules issued before the bill's effective date. This creates a uniform standard where state health regulations cannot exceed federal guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a criminal offense for someone to possess a hypodermic needle or syringe during a lawful police stop or search without declaring it to the officer before any physical contact occurs. It directly affects individuals carrying such items during police encounters, requiring them to verbally disclose the possession immediately upon being stopped. The penalty for violating this rule is a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law applies specifically to declared possession during stops, not to general possession.

Maddy summaryS 2113 extends short-term financial assistance under New Jersey's Transitional Aid to Localities program to municipalities that suffer fiscal distress due to losing a "major local business ratable" - a commercial or industrial property generating over 10% of a municipality's property tax revenue or classified as the largest taxable asset. The bill allows the Director of Local Government Services to allocate program funds directly to affected municipalities (or school districts/counties) without imposing additional oversight requirements typically tied to the program. This provides immediate relief to prevent property tax hikes or service cuts for residents when a major tax-paying business leaves or is destroyed. The measure codifies a temporary provision from the 2015 budget into permanent law, specifically addressing revenue losses from tax-exempt property conversions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2085) modifies New Jersey's affordable housing laws by granting municipalities the right to challenge non-redevelopment housing projects ordered by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) unless the order is based on exclusionary zoning. It also excludes flood-prone land from analysis used to determine available vacant land for affordable housing projects and establishes a cap on municipalities' housing obligations. The bill directly affects local governments (municipalities), COAH, and developers of housing projects, shifting authority to challenge certain developments and altering how vacant land is assessed for affordability requirements. Key provisions include clarifying "inclusionary development" standards and updating how municipalities calculate their housing obligations based on existing low/moderate-income units.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2104) changes how New Jersey's municipalities meet their affordable housing obligations under the Mount Laurel doctrine. It requires the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to administer these obligations based on a statewide target instead of individual municipal requirements. The bill eliminates the use of regional contribution agreements (which allowed municipalities to transfer housing obligations to other areas) and clarifies COAH's role in setting fair share guidelines for low- and moderate-income housing. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities required to provide affordable housing under state law, shifting responsibility from local calculations to a state-level system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to collect and share data on residents seeking affordable housing. DCA must create an online system for residents to submit where they currently live, work, and where they want affordable housing, and also gather similar data from housing agencies. Each year by January 31, DCA will compile this information into a municipal-level report and send it to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). This data will help COAH better understand actual demand for affordable housing across the state to guide housing allocation decisions. The bill directly affects residents seeking housing and the state agency responsible for assigning affordable housing obligations.

Maddy summaryS 1673, the "School Safety and Security Act," establishes new criminal penalties for specific actions that disrupt school safety measures in New Jersey. It makes it a fourth-degree crime to intentionally enter school property after being told not to, provide false information to school staff, interfere with security devices or emergency protocols, or falsely trigger lockdowns. The bill also prohibits sharing school safety plans, drills, or security procedures without written permission from school officials, restricting public access to these materials. These provisions directly affect visitors, students, staff, and anyone entering school property, aiming to protect school safety operations. The bill fills a gap in current law by creating specific criminal penalties for school safety-related violations.

Maddy summaryS 1345 creates a permanent "New Jersey Anti-Semitism Task Force" within the Department of State. The task force, composed of 18 members including legislative leaders, community representatives (like Hadassah and ADL), and experts, will research anti-Semitism and develop recommendations to address its harms. Its work directly affects Jewish communities in New Jersey, aiming to improve safety at synagogues, schools, and institutions amid rising hate incidents. The bill requires the task force to produce actionable plans based on its research, without specifying new funding or enforcement measures.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 725) criminalizes squatting by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering vacant dwellings without permission to occupy), "unlawful occupancy" (taking up residence without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning to property after being evicted by court order). It presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they provide a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. The law affects individuals occupying vacant properties without owner consent, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. Currently, squatting isn't a criminal offense in New Jersey, requiring owners to seek court-ordered evictions instead.

Maddy summaryS 2133 establishes a formal legislative internship program in New Jersey, allowing state legislators to hire interns with up to $10,000 annually per member (subject to presiding officer approval). The program targets undergraduate and graduate students (excluding law and PhD candidates) from accredited schools, prioritizing New Jersey residents or students attending in-state institutions. Interns must complete a work period in a legislator's district office and receive a $1,000 stipend per period, paid bi-weekly or monthly. The bill appropriates $1.2 million from the state budget to fund this initiative.