Sen. Kristin Corrado

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media ("deepfakes") that falsely depict someone’s speech or actions, especially when used for harassment, theft, privacy violations, or other illegal purposes. Creating such content for unlawful purposes is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), while sharing it without labeling it as fake is a third-degree crime (up to 5 years or $30,000 fine). Victims can sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other relief. News media is exempt from penalties unless it knowingly publishes unmarked deepfakes without disclosure.

Maddy summaryS 2458 requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to allow individuals to schedule unemployment benefits appointments at One Stop Career Centers by phone or online, rather than only online as currently required. The bill defines an "unemployment service appointment" as a meeting specifically for applying for or receiving unemployment benefits. This change adds phone scheduling as a new option, making it easier for job seekers and unemployment claimants to set up appointments without needing internet access. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2473) allows social workers in New Jersey to substitute work experience for certain education or exam requirements when applying for licensure. It directly affects applicants seeking clinical social worker, social worker, or certified social worker licenses who may lack formal training for those specific roles. The State Board of Social Work Examiners would evaluate applicants' educational and experiential records to determine if they meet competency standards without requiring a traditional exam. The bill creates a new pathway for experienced professionals to gain licensure based on verified work history, rather than solely on academic credentials or testing.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 66) urges the Governor to safely resume in-person services at New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), which have been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. It specifically targets vulnerable groups - such as elderly, low-income, and disabled residents - who face challenges using remote services for unemployment claims and career support. The resolution cites declining COVID-19 cases and the need to restore access to One-Stop Career Centers and unemployment claim processing, noting that 54% of pandemic-related job losses remained unrecovered as of March 2021. It also calls for DOLWD to fully staff all public-facing offices. As a non-binding resolution, it requests action but does not create new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $200 million to New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development specifically for upgrading the technology infrastructure of the unemployment insurance (UI) program. The funds will be drawn first from available federal pandemic assistance, and if insufficient, from the state's "New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund." The goal is to improve the system's reliability and efficiency following the massive surge in UI claims during the coronavirus pandemic. This directly affects unemployed New Jersey residents who rely on the UI program for benefits.

Maddy summaryS 2478 requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education, working with the New Jersey Presidents' Council and public colleges, to create a standardized course numbering system for general education classes leading to associate or bachelor's degrees. This system must be fully operational by September 1 of the first full academic year after the bill's enactment. It directly affects all public institutions of higher education in New Jersey offering these degrees, mandating their participation, while independent colleges may choose to join voluntarily. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism to simplify course transfers between public institutions by standardizing course identifiers.

Maddy summaryS 2449 establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Long-Term Health Effects Task Force" to study ongoing health impacts from the pandemic. The task force will identify symptoms, treatments, and potential vaccine-related effects, while developing public education strategies and healthcare guidance for the Department of Health. It will consist of nine members, including health experts, public representatives appointed by legislative leaders, and government officials. The task force must submit a final report within one year of forming and dissolve 30 days after submission.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Senate Bill S2481 creates a specialized Organized Retail Theft Prosecution Unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety. The unit, led by a designated coordinator, will investigate and prosecute cases involving multiple retail thefts (two or more offenses in New Jersey, cross-state thefts, or prior convictions) and assist county prosecutors. It requires county prosecutors to notify the unit when such cases arise, and mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature tracking charges, prosecutions, and convictions. The bill directly affects retailers facing theft losses (citing $122.1 billion in 2022 nationwide) and county prosecutors who must coordinate with the new unit.

Maddy summaryS 2477 permits members of the New Jersey National Guard to serve as election workers (specifically, as members of district election boards) when county election boards face staffing shortages within three weeks of a general or primary election. The bill requires the Secretary of State and Adjutant General to establish an annual agreement to facilitate this, allowing county boards to request National Guard members to fill vacancies. National Guard members serving in this role must wear civilian clothing (not uniforms) and receive additional pay for election work on top of their regular military compensation. The bill clarifies that National Guard members may also serve as election workers in their personal capacity if they meet standard qualifications under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new law enforcement vehicles purchased by New Jersey agencies (clearly marked as such) to have windows with tinting meeting the federal minimum light transmittance standard. It applies only to newly purchased vehicles, not existing ones, and takes effect four months after enactment. The policy aims to enhance officer visibility and safety by standardizing window tint levels on police vehicles. The bill honors officers Rafael Ramos, Wenjian Liu, and Melvin Santiago, who were killed in 2014.