Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits campaigning or electioneering (like distributing materials or speaking about candidates) within 25 feet of any voter waiting in line at a polling place or ballot drop box. It tightens previous rules by reducing the protected zone from 100 feet around the polling location to a 25-foot buffer specifically around waiting voters. Violating this rule is classified as a disorderly persons offense (a minor criminal violation in New Jersey). The law directly affects campaign volunteers, candidates, and supporters who might approach voters during line waits, while allowing nonpartisan voter assistance and newspaper racks.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Senate Resolution (SR 82) urges the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides monthly internet discounts ($30-$75) and one-time device subsidies to low-income households. The resolution highlights that the ACP currently serves over 20 million households nationwide, including 335,079 in New Jersey, saving enrolled households $8.3 million monthly in broadband costs. It notes the program’s $14.2 billion funding is set to expire in April 2024, risking loss of access for millions who rely on it for work, education, and healthcare. As a non-binding request, the resolution formally asks Congress to extend funding but cannot enact changes itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help formerly incarcerated individuals find stable employment. The program will partner with labor organizations to identify and create job opportunities in local trades, focusing on individuals returning to the workforce after prison. It aims to reduce recidivism by connecting people with career pathways through established labor networks. The program will be managed by the State Employment and Training Commission and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed private detectives in New Jersey to register their foreign government or foreign national employers with the State Police. It creates a new registry maintained by the Superintendent of State Police that includes the detective's name, business address, and the foreign employer's name and address. The registry is restricted to access by the Attorney General and State Police personnel only. This requirement applies to all licensed detectives working for foreign entities and supplements existing federal registration obligations. The bill does not change current licensing fees, experience requirements, or other standard regulations for private detectives.

Maddy summaryThis bill would impose annual registration fees of $300 for passenger electric vehicles and $450 for commercial electric vehicles starting in 2025, with all fees collected going into New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund. It would also reduce gasoline fuel taxes from 10.5 to 7 cents per gallon and diesel fuel taxes from 13.5 to 9 cents per gallon. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a study by August 2026 on alternative revenue sources for the Transportation Trust Fund, analyzing options like mileage-based fees, carbon taxes, and increased sales tax dedications. These changes aim to address revenue shifts as electric vehicle adoption grows and fuel consumption declines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires transportation network companies (like ride-sharing services) to share information about sexual misconduct investigations involving their drivers with other companies in New Jersey. It authorizes these companies to ban drivers from their digital platforms during ongoing investigations and permanently if investigations find drivers engaged in sexual misconduct. Companies must notify all registered transportation network companies about allegations, investigation status, and findings, including if a criminal investigation is underway. Even if an investigation is inconclusive or finds allegations unsubstantiated, companies can still choose to ban a driver based on the total circumstances. The bill aims to improve passenger safety by facilitating information sharing among companies regarding driver conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits harassing or taking specific wildlife species - including bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and others - at competitive events where participants are rewarded for capturing them (e.g., contests offering prizes for wildlife). It bans organizing, promoting, or participating in such events, except for authorized field trials. Violators face a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) and a five-year suspension of wildlife licenses and taking privileges. Injured wildlife must be taken to a licensed rehabilitator or vet, and killed wildlife remains are forfeited to the Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telemarketers making sales calls to display their actual name and phone number through caller identification services during the call. Specifically, they must accurately identify themselves within the first 30 seconds of contact and cannot block, falsify, or circumvent caller ID displays. It directly affects telemarketing companies and their call centers operating in New Jersey, applying to all unsolicited sales calls. The law aims to increase transparency for consumers by ensuring they can identify and verify telemarketers before engaging with them.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals, ambulatory surgery facilities, developmental centers, and psychiatric hospitals. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios (such as 1:4 for medical/surgical units and 1:2 for critical care) and implement an acuity-based staffing system to adjust for patient needs. Facilities that violate these requirements face civil penalties, with fines deposited into a dedicated fund for nursing recruitment, retention programs, and student loan forgiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and their nursing staff, aiming to improve patient safety through mandated staffing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers offering digital coupons (e.g., mobile app discounts) to also provide in-store alternatives allowing customers to get the same discount or benefit at the physical store location. It defines "digital coupon" as an internet-only offer redeemable only via personal devices like smartphones, and "in-store alternative" as options like paper coupons, kiosks, or point-of-sale discounts. Retailers failing to comply face civil penalties up to $250 for a first offense and $500 for repeat violations. The law applies to all retailers selling goods or services at retail in New Jersey.