Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act," which sets new standards to protect voting rights. It requires courts to interpret election laws liberally in favor of voters, particularly protecting racial, color, and language-minority groups (defined as "protected classes"), ensuring their equal access to voting and registration. The Attorney General is designated as the chief enforcer to investigate violations, issue guidance, and litigate cases related to voting rights under this law. Key provisions include prohibiting unnecessary voting barriers and mandating that election policies be narrowly tailored to serve compelling government interests.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2141 bans businesses from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs within the state. The bill defines a cryptocurrency ATM as a physical kiosk that allows users to buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. Violations would result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, with enforcement under the state's consumer fraud laws. This action responds to Federal Trade Commission data showing crypto ATM scams caused over $65 million in fraud losses in the first half of 2024, disproportionately affecting older adults.

Maddy summaryS 731 requires New Jersey electric utilities to create special pricing plans for large data centers (defined as facilities with 100+ megawatts monthly demand) to protect regular electricity customers from cost increases. The bill mandates that these plans must prevent non-data center ratepayers from bearing costs from data centers' high energy use and incentivize data centers to improve energy efficiency, including using waste heat. Utilities must submit these plans to the Board of Public Utilities within 180 days, and the rules will take effect one year after the bill passes. Key requirements include data centers committing to 85% service levels for 10 years, proving project uniqueness, and providing financial guarantees to cover potential cost overruns if they reduce service.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wages earned by poll workers during elections from being counted when calculating unemployment benefits in New Jersey. It amends the state's unemployment law (R.S.43:21-19) to exclude these wages from "annual payroll" calculations that determine benefit eligibility. This directly affects election workers who may later qualify for unemployment benefits, ensuring their temporary election work does not reduce their compensation. The policy change prevents poll workers' election wages from impacting their unemployment benefit amount under current law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes safety rules for companies that operate artificial intelligence companions designed to simulate human relationships. It requires these operators to clearly disclose that the AI is not human and to prevent the system from pretending to be sentient or engaging in inappropriate romantic or sexual interactions with minors. Additionally, the law mandates that AI companions must have protocols to refer users seeking help for suicidal thoughts to crisis services. These measures apply to any business providing such AI tools to individuals within the state, excluding standard virtual assistants or internal business tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement officers in New Jersey to immediately notify the State Parole Board if a person charged with violating a domestic violence restraining order is currently on parole. The legislation mandates that officers check a new central registry to identify parolees and ensures the Parole Board Chairman is informed whenever a contempt charge is filed against someone under supervision. Additionally, the bill establishes procedures for setting bail and handling contempt proceedings, including a requirement that second or subsequent nonindictable domestic violence contempt offenses result in a minimum 30-day jail sentence. These changes aim to improve communication between law enforcement and the parole system to address domestic violence violations more effectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of multi-unit buildings with three or more floors (excluding cooperatives, condos, or certain common-interest properties) to give priority to senior citizens or disabled residents who want to move to a lower floor within the same building, maintaining the same bedroom count. Qualifying residents get first refusal over new applicants and other residents seeking lower-floor units. Owners must post a sign explaining this priority policy, and existing affordability or income restrictions remain in place. The law applies only to non-exempt buildings and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2148, the "General Contractor Licensing Act," requires individuals and businesses classified in trades 006, 007, 008, or 009 (as defined by the state) to obtain a license to practice general contracting. The bill creates a nine-member State Board of General Contractors to set licensure standards, review applicants, administer exams, issue/renew licenses, and suspend or revoke licenses for violations. To qualify, applicants must meet education/experience requirements (e.g., 60 credits in construction or 4 years of supervised field experience) and pass a board-administered exam. The law includes exemptions for contractors with 10+ years of experience prior to the law's effective date and those licensed in closely allied professions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians and health officials to provide pet owners with clear written and verbal information about rabies testing procedures, including reasons for testing, handling protocols, and disposal methods. Under the new rules, owners must sign an acknowledgment form before a dead pet can be tested, unless the owner cannot be contacted or refuses to sign. The law also prohibits veterinarians from using vague language or euphemisms when explaining these processes and mandates that the Department of Health create educational materials for the public. Additionally, the bill establishes optional training for veterinarians to better inform pet owners about rabies vaccines and testing protocols.

Maddy summaryS 1525 creates a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of elderly individuals in New Jersey. It directly affects seniors who may be targeted by caregivers, family members, or others in fiduciary roles (like trustees or financial advisors) who misuse their trust. The bill defines key terms to clarify what constitutes exploitation, such as unlawfully withholding or disposing of an elderly person’s property for personal gain. If passed, it would make specific financial abuse of seniors a punishable crime under New Jersey law, with penalties outlined in amended statutes. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.