Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey legislative internship program specifically for veterans. It allows state legislators to hire veterans as interns in their district offices, with priority given to New Jersey residents. To qualify, veterans must be honorably discharged, released within five years, at or below E-5/O-3 pay grade, and have a 20% service-connected disability rating (or be Purple Heart recipients); those receiving 20-year retirement are excluded. Interns complete a work period in a legislator's office, with possible extension, performing legislative tasks under the legislator's direction. The program may seek federal grants under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to support implementation.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 3905 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create and maintain a free, statewide online database for local government legal notices. This bill directly affects municipalities, counties, and other local government units by allowing them to submit required legal notices electronically to DCA instead of publishing them in newspapers. The key mechanism enables local governments to fulfill their legal advertising requirements by delivering notices (or links) to DCA for inclusion in the centralized database, which the public can access online. The database will serve as a single public portal for all legally required local government notices, replacing the traditional newspaper publication method for those choosing this option.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and public agencies - from naming public property (such as roads, parks, schools, or buildings) after a foreign terrorist organization designated by the federal government. It requires these entities to remove all existing signs, plaques, or displays referencing such groups within 30 days of the law taking effect and to rename the property within 90 days. The state will reimburse local governments for the costs of removal and renaming, and violations will trigger daily deductions from state aid. The Division of Local Government Services must maintain an annual list of designated foreign terrorist organizations and lands they control, excluding sovereign nations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3540 establishes criminal penalties for creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media (commonly called "deepfakes") that falsely depict someone doing something they didn't actually do. It makes it a crime to produce such media for unlawful purposes (like harassment, theft, or privacy violations) or to share it without clearly labeling it as fake. Individuals harmed by these deepfakes can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies. The law exempts news media from penalties unless they knowingly share unmarked fake content created in violation of the bill.

Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and transfers all of its responsibilities - including regulating electricity, gas, and water utilities - to the Department of the Treasury. The transfer will follow the State Agency Transfer Act, moving all BPU records, equipment, funds, and unspent appropriations to the Treasury Department. This change directly affects the BPU (which ceases to exist) and the Treasury Department (which assumes new regulatory duties). The bill does not alter utility rates or policies but reorganizes the state agency managing utility oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags to customers, but only if the bags contain a minimum amount of recycled material. Specifically, standard paper bags must include at least 40% postconsumer recycled content, while lighter bags (under eight pounds) must contain at least 20%. The policy directly affects grocery stores (defined as retail establishments over 2,500 square feet selling food for off-site consumption) and replaces a previous ban on all paper carryout bags. It aims to reduce plastic pollution by promoting recycled-content paper bags instead of non-recycled alternatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (which uses manual suction to clear airway blockages) available in the cafeteria, school nurse’s office, and other accessible locations during school hours and events, with clear signage. Schools must develop policies requiring staff training in airway management and device use, and the Commissioner of Education will provide annual training opportunities. The Department of Education will reimburse schools for device costs through a formal application process. The bill directly affects all New Jersey schools and their staff, focusing on immediate accessibility and preparedness for choking emergencies.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.

Maddy summaryS 4238 repeals New Jersey's current law banning the sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. This bill directly affects retail stores, restaurants, and consumers by removing restrictions that previously prohibited these items from being provided to customers. The repeal eliminates the existing ban, allowing businesses to resume selling or distributing these single-use products without penalty. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment, providing businesses time to restore supplies of the affected items.