Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens New Jersey's human trafficking law by increasing penalties for traffickers. It defines trafficking more broadly (including holding people for sexual activity or labor through threats, fraud, or document confiscation) and makes violations a first-degree crime punishable by 20 years to life in prison with no parole eligibility for the first 20 years. Perpetrators must pay restitution to victims based on New Jersey's prevailing wage laws or federal standards, and fines will fund a new "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." The law directly affects traffickers facing harsher sentences, victims receiving restitution, and agencies managing the survivor fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new mechanism for suspending driver's licenses when individuals fail to appear in court for certain offenses or default on court-ordered payments like fines, community service, or restitution. It requires courts to provide notice and a hearing opportunity before suspending a license, and mandates that municipal courts notify the Motor Vehicle Commission of any suspension. The bill also clarifies that a previously repealed law (N.J.S.A.2B:12-31) was fully repealed in 2019 and not revived by a 2021 amendment, while adding a six-month grace period for paying outstanding fines after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax incentives for historic diners and restaurants in New Jersey. To qualify, an establishment must operate continuously for at least 25 years (including pandemic closures), meet small business standards, comply with health/safety rules, and (for restaurants) be family-owned. Qualified businesses on an annual state registry receive a 12-month sales tax exemption on prepared food/beverages for on-site consumption and corporation business/gross income tax credits. The Division of Travel and Tourism manages the registry, requiring annual applications to verify eligibility. The policy directly supports small, long-standing dining businesses preserving cultural heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new misdemeanor charge (disorderly persons offense) for individuals who wear masks or disguises with the intent to instill fear, hinder prosecution, or avoid capture while committing another crime in New Jersey. It specifically exempts those wearing masks for medical, religious, or expressive purposes (like protests). The offense applies only when someone is already charged with another crime under New Jersey law and was wearing the mask/disguise during that crime. Conviction adds a separate penalty - up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine - without merging with the underlying crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments to New Jersey municipalities for lands owned by the state or qualifying nonprofits that are preserved for recreation and conservation (like parks and wildlife areas). It raises per-acre payment rates based on the percentage of such land within each municipality: from $2 to $3 per acre for areas with under 20% conservation land, $5 to $7.50 for 20-40%, $10 to $15 for 40-60%, and $20 to $40 for 60% or more. These payments, made from the state's General Fund, compensate municipalities for lost property tax revenue when land becomes tax-exempt. The changes apply to both lands acquired using dedicated funds (Section 29) and those acquired with other funding (Section 30).

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sports wagering licensees from offering or accepting "micro bets" - wagers on the outcome of the next play or action in a sporting event (such as whether the next baseball pitch will be a strike). It defines micro bets as a type of proposition bet that allows rapid, frequent wagering during games, which can contribute to problem gambling by limiting bettors' research time and enabling quick loss accumulation. Violating this prohibition would result in a fine of $500 to $1,000 per offense. The bill directly affects licensed sports betting operators in New Jersey, requiring them to remove micro betting options from their platforms. The legislation aims to address concerns about rapid betting contributing to problem gambling, as noted by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors and subcontractors working on public projects to submit payroll records to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). It applies to any business performing work for public bodies (like state/local governments or projects funded by public money), including construction, maintenance, or repair work. The key mechanism mandates that these contractors must register with DOLWD and provide payroll details to verify compliance with prevailing wage laws and apprenticeship program requirements. This affects all employers engaged in public work contracts, ensuring transparency in worker compensation and program participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to include instruction about the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in Social Studies and English Language Arts curricula for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates that school boards integrate this content as part of their existing implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The Commissioner of Education must provide sample lesson resources and activities to support schools, developed with input from the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.