Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a statewide registry for individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses in New Jersey. Registered offenders would be prohibited from purchasing, adopting, or breeding animals. The registry, maintained by the Attorney General, would publicly disclose information about these offenders to help residents protect themselves and their pets. It applies to anyone convicted under specific animal cruelty statutes (e.g., R.S. 4:22-17 to 24) or related civil offenses.

Maddy summaryS 554 would amend New Jersey's public records law to prevent government agencies from releasing personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses. The bill specifically prohibits disclosure of details like home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, email addresses, and social media handles in public records. This change directly affects victims and witnesses by keeping their sensitive information confidential, reducing risks of retaliation or harassment. The law applies to all state and local government records under the existing open records framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 577) allows family members or estate representatives to terminate a personal vehicle lease in New Jersey upon the leaseholder's death, without paying an early termination fee. It prohibits dealers or lessors from charging such fees or forcing survivors to buy the vehicle, buy out the lease, or continue the lease under original terms. Dealers must include written disclosure about this termination right in lease agreements, and failure to do so incurs a $500 penalty. The law applies to personal vehicle leases registered in New Jersey (excluding commercial vehicles and surviving co-lessees) and requires proof of death within 60 days for termination. It is pending legislative action as of 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers from requiring consumers to pay recurring subscription fees for features already installed in the vehicle, such as heated seats or driver assistance systems. It specifically targets cases where the necessary hardware is present at purchase but requires software activation via a subscription. The law does not apply to third-party services like satellite radio. Violations could result in fines up to $20,000 and other penalties under consumer fraud laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to grant academic credit to students who earned a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or 50 or higher on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) assessments while in high school. It applies to students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees and mandates that institutions post their credit policies online and report changes to the Higher Education Secretary 60 days in advance. Institutions may seek limited exemptions for specific courses if they provide data showing higher score thresholds are necessary for student success in advanced coursework. The law takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Human Services to improve behavioral health care coordination for emergency department patients. It requires two hospitals in each Regional Health Hub to refer patients with mild-to-moderate behavioral health issues (like anxiety, depression, or substance use not requiring inpatient care) to community-based treatment services. Regional Health Hubs will support hospitals in developing protocols for timely referrals, follow-up, transportation, and connecting patients to services like housing assistance or medication treatment. The program will be covered under Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare once necessary federal waivers are approved, with funding provided through existing Regional Health Hub mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2575, allows local and state government officials who are on active military duty or fulfilling reserve obligations to participate remotely in official meetings. It directly affects municipal council members, county commissioners, school board members, and state board members serving in the military. Key provisions include counting remote participants toward quorum and requiring state departments to develop guidelines for remote participation. The bill applies to all government bodies covered in the legislation and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2437) requires New Jersey to create roadside signs and a state website to help visitors find tourism attractions, historic sites, and historic districts. The Department of Transportation must update rules for the Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) program to include these locations, with eligibility criteria like being within 15 miles of a highway, open to the public 6 hours daily for 20 weeks yearly, and providing cultural/historical value. The state website must feature searchable maps, driving/public transit directions, photos, tour information, and contact details for all listed sites. These changes aim to improve visitor access and promote New Jersey’s tourism and historic resources through standardized signage and digital tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires used car dealers to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for open recalls using a vehicle’s VIN before selling it. If recalls exist, dealers must inform buyers and provide printed recall details; they cannot sell vehicles with active "stop sale" or "do not drive" orders. The bill also limits attorneys’ fees in consumer lawsuits under the Consumer Fraud Act to either $1,000 or one-third of awarded damages, whichever is lower. It applies to dealers selling used vehicles at retail (excluding wholesale or junkyard sales), directly protecting buyers from purchasing unsafe vehicles and capping legal costs in fraud cases.

Maddy summaryS 2403 requires New Jersey's Adjutant General to establish a program providing veterans with evaluation and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), total brain injury, or traumatic brain injury. This program would directly assist New Jersey veterans diagnosed with these conditions, which are commonly associated with military service. The bill amends N.J.S.38A:3-6 to add this duty to the Adjutant General's responsibilities under the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, ensuring state-administered access to these services.