Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2110) increases penalties for New Jersey employers who violate the state's wage and hour law, which governs minimum pay, recordkeeping, and overtime. It raises fines for first violations to $500-$1,000 (from $100-$1,000), second violations to $1,000-$2,000 (from $500-$1,000), and makes third violations a fourth-degree crime punishable by fines up to $10,000 or 18 months in jail. Employers who fail to pay required wages, falsify records, or obstruct enforcement face these enhanced penalties. The bill also authorizes the Labor Commissioner to impose administrative fines of up to $500 per violation after a hearing, with amounts based on factors like prior violations and business size.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $3 million in extra funding from the state General Fund to give one-time bonuses to specific frontline state workers. It directly affects employees represented by Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who worked essential roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by state agencies to eligible employees as a bonus award, based on consultation between the budget director and the union president. The legislation specifies that only workers who provided emergency frontline service during the pandemic qualify for these bonuses.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, the law permits smoking in areas of casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. The bill deletes this exception from the statute, meaning smoking would be prohibited in all indoor public areas of these facilities under the general smoke-free law. It directly affects casinos and simulcasting venues that currently operate under the smoking exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2109) revises deadlines for county property tax assessment reporting in New Jersey. It shifts the annual submission date for county tax appeal reports from August 15 to June 1, and moves the deadline for equalization tables from March 1 to May 15. These changes apply to most counties, with specific exceptions for counties participating in demonstration programs or operating under certain tax reform acts. The bill directly affects county boards of taxation, tax administrators, and assessors who manage property valuation processes. The adjustments aim to streamline reporting timelines within the state's property tax administration system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2046) expands the Family Leave Act to provide up to 21 days of protected leave for employees experiencing specific bereavement events, including the death of a child (including stillbirth), miscarriage, or failed fertility treatment. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (down from 50 under previous rules), covering situations like pregnancy loss or a child’s death, whether through birth, adoption, or gestational carrier arrangements. The leave is available through the existing Temporary Disability Benefits system, with 21 days for cases not covered by other leave types (like miscarriage) and 7 days when other leave applies (like stillbirth). This change ensures employees can take time off without job loss for these deeply personal losses, aligning with New Jersey’s broader family leave protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2102) amends New Jersey law to require that all motorcycle passengers be at least 10 years old. It directly affects motorcycle operators and riders under 10 who would otherwise be permitted to ride as passengers. The key provision updates existing law to explicitly state that a passenger must be 10 years or older, with violations subject to fines of $50-$100. The bill does not change helmet or seating requirements but adds this age restriction to passenger safety rules.

Maddy summaryS 2271, "CJ's Law," amends New Jersey's controlled substances law to criminalize the manufacture and distribution of substances containing kratom under specific circumstances. This bill directly affects kratom businesses, distributors, and retailers by making these activities illegal under state law. The key mechanism adds kratom to the definition of "controlled dangerous substances" in N.J.S. 2C:35-2, treating it like other illegal drugs, while explicitly excluding hemp and cannabis products regulated under separate state laws. The law does not change existing legal status for hemp or cannabis products under the New Jersey Hemp Farming Act or Cannabis Regulatory Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that home improvement and home elevation contractors in New Jersey must be licensed by the state board or work under a licensed supervisor. It directly affects contractors performing services like home repairs, renovations, or elevation work, requiring them to comply with these licensing rules. The key provision states that unlicensed individuals cannot perform these services unless supervised by a licensed contractor. The bill aims to ensure contractors meet state licensing standards, though it was withdrawn as redundant after similar requirements were enacted in 2025.

Maddy summaryS 2081 revises penalties for businesses that send unsolicited text message advertisements without recipient consent, which directly affects companies and marketers sending such messages in New Jersey. It establishes a two-tiered penalty system: $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and escalates to the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA) penalties ($10,000 for a first CFA offense, $20,000 for subsequent offenses) for a third or later violation. The law specifies that a third violation is treated as a first CFA offense, while fourth or additional violations are considered subsequent CFA offenses. These changes aim to strengthen enforcement against repeat violators by applying higher penalties under the CFA for ongoing violations.

Maddy summaryS 2094 (New Jersey) creates a legal process for defendants to seek dismissal of "SLAPP" lawsuits - civil cases filed to silence public advocacy on issues like health, safety, or government conduct. It requires defendants to first prove the lawsuit targets protected speech (e.g., criticizing government actions), then shifts the burden to plaintiffs to show they can likely win on the merits. The bill mandates courts to stay discovery during these applications and may award attorney fees to defendants if plaintiffs filed the case to suppress free speech. It directly affects individuals or groups defending public interest speech against lawsuits like defamation or harassment claims. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee (introduced January 2026).