Maddy summaryS 2900 prohibits the disclosure of body worn camera recordings without the prior written consent of each person directly featured in the recording (such as suspects, victims, or detainees), unless the disclosure serves a legitimate public health, safety, or compelling public interest purpose. It applies to individuals who obtained such recordings under New Jersey’s open public records law and are not subjects of the recording. Violating this prohibition is a disorderly persons offense and may result in civil liability, including $1,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The bill defines "subject" to exclude people who only appear incidentally in the recording, ensuring the rule targets those directly involved in the recorded event.
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Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prioritize energy security, diversity, and affordability when updating the state's Energy Master Plan. It mandates the BPU to conduct detailed cost and impact analyses for all energy generation projects and the Master Plan itself, including breakdowns of financial effects on ratepayers, state/local governments, and infrastructure costs. The plan must limit intermittent energy sources (like wind/solar) to no more than 50% of the state's energy portfolio and prioritize in-state energy generation to reduce subsidies for out-of-state sources. These changes directly affect the BPU, ratepayers (through potential cost impacts), and energy developers (requiring pre-approval analyses), while ensuring public transparency via online analysis publications and annual committee testimony.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million grant program to provide confidential mental health services for firefighters and their immediate families during mental health crises or suicidal situations. It establishes the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within the Department of Human Services, directing the Commissioner to award grants to licensed mental health providers who serve firefighters (full-time, paid employees of public fire departments) and their family members (spouses, children, parents, or other relatives living in the same home). The program requires providers to apply for funding through an online process, with priority given to those located to minimize travel time (under one hour) for patients. The Commissioner must publish a list of approved providers online and manage the grant distribution from the state's General Fund.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows qualified organizations (like charities or businesses) to legally run two types of games under New Jersey's raffle law: "boxes" (similar to Super Bowl squares) and "brackets" (like March Madness picks). Participants select boxes or outcomes in a grid, with winners receiving no more than 50% of the prize pool - keeping the rest for the organizer. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission will set rules for frequency, prizes, and conduct. It directly affects entities currently hosting these games, enabling them to operate legally without violating existing raffle restrictions.
Maddy summaryS 2819 increases penalties for motor vehicle theft by making it a second-degree crime (up from third degree) and establishes a rebuttable presumption of pretrial detention for those charged with theft, receiving stolen vehicles, or unlawful taking of vehicles. The bill authorizes home detention for minors convicted of these offenses, allowing them to leave only for court appearances, probation, or attorney meetings with court approval. It also creates a $7 million two-year pilot program through the Juvenile Justice Commission to provide services including mental health support, education, employment assistance, and substance use disorder treatment to juveniles at risk of committing motor vehicle theft. The program aims to prevent juvenile involvement with the criminal justice system by addressing underlying issues contributing to theft offenses.
Maddy summaryS 2767 exempts New Jersey veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. This applies to veterans honorably discharged from military service who hold a current New Jersey driver's license. The bill requires the state's Adjutant General to notify eligible veterans about this exemption. The exemption will take effect 13 months after the bill is enacted.
Maddy summaryS 2715 increases the annual income limit for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from $80,000 to $100,000 per year for both single and married individuals. It directly affects seniors (65 or older) and disabled residents who own or lease a primary residence and pay property taxes. The key provision adjusts the income threshold, expanding eligibility for the program. The reimbursement calculates the difference between current property taxes and a base year amount, with the new limit applying to tax years 2017 and beyond.
Maddy summaryS 2790 requires New Jersey electric, gas, sewer, telephone, and water utilities to include written notice in customers' monthly bills about scheduled non-emergency utility work that could impact traffic within a three-mile radius of the customer's home. The bill exempts emergency repairs (defined as immediate threats to life, health, or property). Utilities must provide this notice for planned projects like road excavations or line replacements, ensuring residents are informed before work begins. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a binding bill) introduced by New Jersey Senator Kristin Corrado. It urges Congress and the President to pass the federal "Kids Online Safety Act," which would require social media platforms to limit addictive features, expand parental controls, and prevent promotion of harmful content to minors. The resolution cites research linking social media use to rising mental health issues among children and teens, including higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation. It does not create new state laws but formally requests federal action to address these concerns.
Maddy summaryS 972 creates a state matching grant program within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to support community-based nonprofits providing cold-weather shelter during Code Blue alerts. Eligible nonprofits must have received a recent (within 12 months) grant from a county or municipality, and the state will match that funding up to $50,000 per county/municipality annually. The program requires nonprofits to submit detailed applications about their finances, the prior grant, and how funds will be used, with grants awarded in the order applications are received. The Department must track all grants and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within three years assessing the program's effectiveness in serving homeless and at-risk individuals.