Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill creates neutral safe exchange zones at county sheriff offices for parents exchanging minor children under custody or visitation orders. Each zone must have clear signage, 24/7 access, adequate lighting, and continuous video surveillance recording for 45 days. The court may require exchanges at these zones if domestic violence is involved or a restraining order exists. County sheriffs receive state funding to establish these zones, and law enforcement is protected from liability for incidents occurring there.

Maddy summaryS 2163 creates a new disorderly persons offense (a misdemeanor-level charge) for individuals who wear masks or disguises with the intent to instill fear, hinder prosecution, or avoid arrest while committing another crime in New Jersey. It specifically exempts those wearing masks for medical, religious, or expressive purposes. The law requires that the person must already face charges for the underlying crime (e.g., theft or assault) and was wearing the mask during that offense. Violators face penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and this charge cannot be merged with the original crime for sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to conduct a study on the environmental, infrastructural, and financial impacts of data center development within the state. The study must be completed within twelve months and include a detailed report for the Governor and Legislature covering energy and water usage, effects on the electric grid and air quality, land use changes, potential health risks, and fiscal impacts like utility rate increases. To gather information, the Board is mandated to solicit input from stakeholders and hold at least one public hearing before submitting their findings and recommendations for future regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual competitive auction system for film and digital media tax credits in New Jersey, directing the resulting funds to the state's Civic Information Consortium and public broadcasting system. It reduces the available tax credit percentage for certain film productions while maintaining higher rates for specific digital media projects that meet strict local hiring and spending requirements. The legislation also includes a $15 million appropriation to support these initiatives and requires all recipients to include promotional materials for New Jersey in their final credits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey sports wagering licensees (like online betting platforms and casinos) to create, publish, and get approval for clear rules about account limitations - such as play time caps, maximum bets, or deposit limits. Licensees must display these rules publicly and notify patrons in writing whenever an account is limited, explaining the reason. They must also review limited accounts periodically and report annually to gaming regulators on the frequency and types of limits imposed. These rules aim to increase transparency for bettors about how their accounts are managed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the state inspects condominiums and cooperatives in New Jersey by requiring the Department of Community Affairs to provide owners with advance written notice at least 30 days before an inspection. The notice will include the scheduled date, options to request a Saturday inspection, and details about what specific property elements will be examined. Additionally, the bill establishes a tiered inspection schedule based on a building's history of violations, meaning buildings with fewer past issues will be inspected less frequently than those with repeated problems.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants and advanced practice nurses to verify that a prospective juror cannot serve due to medical reasons, expanding the current rule which only permits licensed physicians to provide such verification. It directly affects individuals seeking jury excusal based on health issues and the medical professionals licensed under New Jersey's Title 45 who may issue these certifications. By amending the state's jury service statute, the legislation broadens the pool of qualified healthcare providers who can confirm a juror's medical inability to serve without altering other hardship exemptions like financial difficulties or family obligations. The change takes effect immediately for any jury summons issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's version of the "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing residents 18 or older to transfer real property directly to designated beneficiaries upon their death through a special deed. The key mechanism requires the deed to be recorded with the county clerk before the owner's death, remains revocable anytime during the owner's life, and does not affect the owner's rights to sell or mortgage the property while alive. It explicitly states the transfer won't impact the owner's eligibility for public assistance, creditor claims against the owner's property, or the beneficiary's eligibility for benefits. The bill directly affects New Jersey property owners seeking to bypass probate for real estate transfers.

Maddy summaryS 2136 requires New Jersey employers and third-party job posting platforms to include clear disclosures in all public job ads. Specifically, they must state whether a position is for an existing vacancy (with an estimated fill timeframe) or not (using a disclaimer that expires after 90 days and requires prior posting history). The bill mandates removing filled positions within 30 days of original posting or two weeks after hiring, whichever comes later, and requires employers to notify applicants within the ad’s stated timeframe about application status. Violations incur civil penalties up to $600 per offense, with the Department of Labor empowered to conduct compliance audits.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for cancer research in New Jersey by directing $10 million in cigarette and tobacco tax revenues to the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR), up from the current $1 million. It establishes a permanent, non-lapsing "Cancer Research Fund" in the state Treasury, ensuring these funds cannot be diverted to other state budgets. The fund must allocate at least $5 million annually to general cancer research and at least $5 million specifically to pediatric cancer research, with all spending requiring approval by the NJCCR. The State Treasurer manages the fund, and any interest earned is reinvested into the fund for ongoing research support.