Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily adjusts New Jersey's motor fuel and petroleum products taxes based on monthly gasoline prices. If the average retail price of unleaded regular gasoline exceeds $4.50 per gallon, it triggers a 50% tax reduction (between $4.51-$5.00), 75% reduction ($5.01-$5.50), or full tax suspension (over $5.50) for highway fuels like gasoline and diesel during June-August 2022. The tax changes apply to fuel sellers (e.g., gas stations), requiring them to report reduced tax payments and pass savings to consumers through lower retail prices. The bill specifically targets price-driven tax relief during a defined three-month period, not ongoing policy.

Maddy summaryS 1760 establishes a statewide safe haven program at fire stations to assist victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. It requires firefighters to receive specific training to identify victims, refer them to emergency shelters, legal aid, victim advocacy services, and community resources, while ensuring anti-discrimination protections regardless of citizenship status. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to implement this program, administered by the Attorney General in consultation with relevant state agencies. This policy change directly affects victims seeking immediate assistance and mandates new protocols for first responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Board of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers within New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to regulate used car dealers. It directly affects businesses selling used vehicles (retail, wholesale, or both) by requiring them to obtain state licenses and comply with new standards. The board will review license applications, set licensing criteria, maintain dealer records, issue/renew licenses, and inspect dealers to ensure compliance. These changes aim to increase oversight and protect consumers by ensuring only qualified dealers operate in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1742) expands New Jersey's existing restrictions on physical restraint and seclusion in schools to apply to **all students**, not just those with disabilities. It requires schools to use these techniques only in emergencies posing immediate physical danger, mandate **immediate parental notification** (via phone/electronic message) and a written report within 48 hours, and require schools to meet with parents after multiple incidents. The Department of Education must **collect and publicly report annual data** on restraint/seclusion use, broken down by county, race, gender, age, and disability type, while ensuring student privacy. These changes extend and strengthen prior law (P.L.2017, c.291) to increase transparency and accountability for all students.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the public disclosure of health care workers' personal information (name, address, identity) when they are victims of assault by a patient or resident at a health care facility. It directly affects health care workers employed by licensed facilities, licensed health care professionals, and direct care workers at psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or veterans' homes. The law requires redaction or use of initials/fictitious names in all public records (like indictments or complaints), making such information confidential unless a court orders disclosure. Violating this prohibition is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryS 1758 requires bus drivers in New Jersey to visually inspect their vehicle at the end of each route to ensure no passenger with a disability has been left behind. If a driver is found to have left a passenger with a disability on the bus after a hearing, their commercial driver's license may face escalating penalties: one-month suspension for a first offense, six months for a second, and permanent revocation for a third. Drivers may also face permanent license revocation if gross negligence causes harm to a passenger left on the bus. The bill mandates that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission record violations in driver records and share them through the federal Commercial Driver License Information System. This bill is pending in the New Jersey Senate Transportation Committee (introduced January 9, 2024).

Maddy summaryS 1724 requires used car dealers to pay the full remaining loan balance on a trade-in vehicle to the lender within 15 days of taking possession and provide proof of payment to the consumer. Dealers who fail to comply face fines up to $2,000 per violation, plus any late fees from the lender. The bill updates title release procedures to ensure loan settlements are completed promptly, directly affecting dealers, consumers trading vehicles, and lenders. This prevents delays in title transfers that could leave consumers unable to legally drive or sell their vehicles.

Maddy summaryS 2277 (New Jersey Senate Bill) clarifies that auto insurers may pay medical expenses for accident victims first when the insured has chosen health insurance as primary coverage, then seek reimbursement from the health insurer. It directly affects auto insurers, health insurers, and drivers who selected health insurance as primary for medical benefits under existing law. Key provisions require auto insurers to notify health insurers of the coverage choice and allow them to recover paid amounts (plus fees) from the health insurer if that insurer should have been primary. The bill does not change coverage options but streamlines the process for insurers to coordinate payments after accidents.

Maddy summaryS 1741 requires vehicles transporting items like furniture, mattresses, or other materials that could become dislodged (e.g., if extending above the vehicle or placed on the roof) to be securely fastened with straps, ratchet devices, or similar safety equipment and covered with a tarp or similar cover. It prohibits operating such vehicles on New Jersey’s major highways (including roads with 50+ mph speed limits, NJTA routes, and SJTA routes) if the load is unsecured or could fall. Vehicle operators, including commercial flatbed drivers and passenger vehicles temporarily used for transport, face fines up to $750 for violations and up to $1,000 or 10 days in jail if items dislodge and fall. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission must create specific safety rules to implement these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1752) authorizes New Jersey to issue special vehicle license plates for active U.S. Coast Guard members and former members honorably separated from service. Eligible individuals, including their spouses, parents, or business owners (if the member is the principal), may obtain plates displaying the Coast Guard seal and identifying their status. A $25 fee applies per plate (in addition to standard registration fees), with funds covering implementation costs. The program allows fee adjustments or discontinuation if annual plate costs exceed the fee for two consecutive years.