Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to notify local law enforcement and the Attorney General before expunging certain mental health records related to firearm eligibility. Specifically, when a person seeks to erase records that affect their ability to purchase a firearm under federal or state law, the court must serve copies of the expungement order on the county prosecutor, local police chief, and the Attorney General. This applies to records previously filed under mental health commitment or disability determinations that impact firearm background checks. The change ensures law enforcement is informed before such records are removed, aligning with federal background check requirements under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act and Brady Act.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 3001) requires payment processors (merchant acquirers) to use a specific industry code for firearms and ammunition businesses starting May 1, 2027. It defines "firearms merchants" as businesses in New Jersey where gun sales represent the highest revenue, and mandates that payment processors assign the standardized code established by the International Organization for Standardization. The Attorney General can enforce the law by imposing $10,000 civil penalties per violation, but businesses may avoid penalties by correcting issues within 30 days of notice. The law does not change gun sales regulations but affects how payment processing companies categorize firearm-related transactions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Civil Service Commission to create a free mentoring program for civil service firefighter applicants living in municipalities with a median income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. The program provides guidance through the application, exam, and hiring process via workshops, study groups, and resources to help overcome barriers, particularly to compete with applicants from wealthier areas using private study groups. Mentors - current or former firefighters in good standing - volunteer without pay, and applicants can use the program up to three times within a decade. The Commission must annually review the program’s effectiveness and ensure no fees are charged to participants.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2146) requires New Jersey prosecutors and courts to evaluate drivers’ records for "habitual offender" status in serious traffic cases. It directly affects drivers convicted of offenses like driving while suspended, intoxicated driving, or reckless driving (listed in Section 1 of P.L.2004, c.95) who have three or more related convictions within three years. Key provisions mandate prosecutors to check driving records before sentencing, consider a pattern of traffic law violations as an aggravating factor, and consult victims if injury occurred before offering plea deals. The bill also expands the "habitual offender" definition to include any combination of listed offenses and shifts determination authority from the Motor Vehicle Commission to the court.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2097 makes it a crime to sell or possess binary firearm triggers, which modify semi-automatic guns to fire twice per trigger pull. The bill amends New Jersey's criminal code by adding these triggers to the legal definition of "machine gun," thereby classifying them as illegal under existing machine gun laws. It directly affects gun owners, sellers, and manufacturers who handle or distribute such triggers within the state. The key provision is the legal reclassification, imposing criminal penalties for possession or sale without requiring new prohibitions on standard firearms. This change focuses on specific trigger modifications, not general firearm ownership.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2144) updates licensing rules for residential substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Jersey. It requires applicants to submit independent financial audits (paid by the applicant) and undergo criminal background checks for all owners or major stakeholders (5%+ ownership), with licensure denied for financial misconduct or convictions involving fraud/dishonesty. The Department of Health must also conduct unannounced facility inspections. These changes directly affect facilities seeking or holding licenses and their owners, aiming to ensure financial accountability and safety through stricter vetting.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows county police departments to enter into shared service agreements with municipalities in the same county to provide police services. It directly affects municipalities (which could lower their policing costs) and county police departments (which could expand their service scope). The key mechanism is amending state law to permit counties to offer all or part of the policing services typically handled by municipal departments, under the existing "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act." The bill also removes outdated language about enforcing Sunday observance laws, which were repealed decades ago.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders, sellers, or other secured parties to deliver a vehicle title (certificate of ownership) to the buyer via certified mail with return receipt after a loan or security agreement is paid off. It mandates that the secured party must send the title within 15 days of the obligation being satisfied and file proof of this with the state motor vehicle authority. The law aims to ensure secure, trackable delivery of vehicle titles - the official proof of ownership - to prevent loss or delay in the transfer process. This applies to all parties holding a title until a debt is fully satisfied.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2079 regulates credit card interchange fees by prohibiting payment networks (like Visa and MasterCard) from restricting merchants' ability to manage card acceptance costs. The bill directly affects merchants and credit card networks by banning clauses that prevent merchants from: offering discounts for cash or debit card use, setting minimum/maximum transaction values for credit cards ($10+), choosing which payment systems to accept, or being forced to accept only one network. It aims to increase competition and transparency, ensuring merchants can adjust pricing without being blocked by unfair contract terms, which currently lead to higher prices for all consumers. The law would take effect four months after enactment.
Maddy summaryS 2082 prohibits New Jersey state agencies from entering contracts with business entities that require individuals or public entities to resolve disputes through binding arbitration instead of court. This directly affects state agencies (like departments or commissions) and businesses seeking state contracts, preventing them from including mandatory arbitration clauses as a condition of doing business. The law includes exemptions for existing contracts, public emergency needs, or contracts where limited competition might harm the state’s interests. It takes immediate effect and aims to preserve access to court-based dispute resolution for all parties involved.