Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity charges to customers in four specific places: on the menu, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website (if applicable). It directly affects restaurants that add mandatory tips and protects customers from hidden fees. Failure to disclose the gratuity would be considered an illegal practice under the Consumer Fraud Act, potentially resulting in fines up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for repeat violations, plus possible additional penalties. The law would take effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2126) requires businesses to disclose the regular single-item price when advertising "Buy One, Get One Free" or similar bundle deals. It directly affects retailers and advertisers running these promotions by mandating clear price disclosure in advertisements. The key provision prohibits advertising discounted merchandise contingent on purchasing other items without showing the usual price of the advertised item. Violations are treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, carrying fines up to $20,000 per offense and potential legal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle rental companies in New Jersey to give renters the option to opt out of using the company's electronic toll transponder (like E-ZPass) or use their own device. If a renter opts out and drives through a toll plaza without cash payment options (and without their own device), the company may charge a fee up to $5 (capped at three times the actual toll cost). Companies must clearly disclose all toll-related fees and terms in rental agreements and obtain written consent before using their transponder. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, potentially resulting in fines up to $20,000 per offense. The fee provision will only apply once additional toll facilities without cash payment options are operational.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 209) regulates video visitation services for inmates and mandates contact visits. It requires correctional facilities to contract with vendors charging no more than 11 cents per minute for video visits (including remote access), prohibits additional fees or commissions, and mandates refunds for failed or low-quality visits. The bill also bans charges for attorney, clergy, or legal representative visits and requires facilities to allow contact visits with only reasonable safety-related conditions. These provisions directly affect inmates, correctional facilities, and video service providers across state, county, and private prisons.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires automatic enrollment in New Jersey's Immunization Information System (NJIIS) for individuals receiving vaccines, unless they or their parent/guardian provides a written opt-out. It directly affects all New Jersey residents getting vaccinated, including newborns (automatically enrolled unless parents opt out) and others (enrolled at time of vaccination unless they or their parent/guardian opt out). Key provisions include: mandatory enrollment upon vaccine administration for non-registered individuals, written opt-out requirements, and allowing the health commissioner to override opt-outs during public health emergencies. The registry aims to track vaccination records for public health purposes like outbreak response and school enrollment verification, while ensuring access to health providers and allowing individuals to review/correct their records.

Maddy summaryThis bill classifies tianeptine (a medication sometimes misused for its opioid-like effects) as a Schedule II controlled substance in New Jersey, meaning it now requires a prescription for medical use and is strictly regulated. It directly affects individuals who possess or distribute tianeptine without authorization, including those misusing it recreationally. The key provision adds tianeptine explicitly to Schedule II, requiring prescriptions and making unauthorized possession a crime. The bill cites the Drug Enforcement Administration's concern about tianeptine's rapid rise in illicit use and associated health risks like respiratory depression and overdose. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.249, so it is now law.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to help fire districts create or expand "resident firefighter" programs. Resident firefighters live at fire stations in exchange for performing duties like training and emergency responses. The program provides grants for constructing dormitories (including kitchens), amenities, and incentives for these firefighters, with the state requesting at least $5 million annually for funding. Fire districts must apply to the Division of Fire Safety, which will distribute grants equitably across northern, central, and southern regions.

Maddy summaryS 2078 requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and maintain a public website displaying detailed spending data for all state contracts, grants, and purchases funded by state money. It mandates that the website, accessible without charge and organized by fiscal year, include specific details like contracting entity names, costs, dates, and funding sources for all State agencies. The website must allow public feedback and permanently retain all non-confidential data, while excluding private or legally protected information. This bill directly affects the State Treasurer, all state agencies, and the public by increasing transparency in how state funds are spent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain rooming and boarding houses and cooperative sober living residences to comply with local land use regulations. Specifically, it amends existing law to subject these facilities to municipal zoning and land use rules (previously exempt except for construction codes). It also mandates that applicants for a State Class F license to operate a cooperative sober living residence must submit written approvals from local zoning, fire, health, and building authorities with their license application. The bill affects owners/operators of these facilities and changes how the state issues licenses for sober living residences.

Maddy summaryS 2143 requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to hire an independent engineer to review transportation projects when a safety dispute arises between the DOT and the contractor working on the project. The independent engineer, defined as a qualified professional not affiliated with the DOT or contractor, must investigate safety concerns raised by either party and assess the project for other potential safety risks. This law directly affects DOT and contractors involved in state transportation projects (including highways and public transit) where safety disagreements occur. The bill mandates this review process to ensure impartial safety evaluations before disputes escalate. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.