Maddy summaryThis bill permits dogs, including emotional support dogs, to visit residents at New Jersey State veterans' residential facilities on a temporary basis, with facility approval. Family members and approved organizations (such as animal shelters or veterans' groups) may bring dogs for visits, requiring leashes indoors and current vaccinations (except for service dogs). Facilities must consider residents' health needs, like respiratory issues, and can deny access if dogs are uncontrolled, not house-trained, or pose a health/safety risk. The bill defines service dogs (trained for disability assistance) and emotional support dogs, and requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to adopt rules consistent with federal guidelines.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey government agencies to redact specific personal information from public records before releasing them. It requires redaction of social security numbers, driver license numbers, home addresses of judges/prosecutors/law enforcement officers, and other sensitive details like phone numbers, medical information, or financial data when disclosure could lead to identity theft, harassment, or criminal activity. The law modifies existing public records access rules to balance transparency with privacy protection, permitting redaction unless disclosure is needed for law enforcement, child support enforcement, or other specified exceptions. Agencies must redact this information prior to public release, ensuring citizens' privacy while maintaining access to government records.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts from New Jersey's inheritance tax the value of certain restitution payments received by Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants during their lifetime. Specifically, it covers payments for assets stolen, hidden, or lost during Nazi persecution (including insurance proceeds or legal settlements), when transferred to beneficiaries after the survivor's death. The exemption applies to the market value of these payments as determined at the time they were received. It directly affects Holocaust survivors and their lineal descendants up to two generations removed, ensuring these restitution funds are not taxed when passed on.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with qualified law firms to provide free legal help to eligible disabled veterans facing denied disability claims at the federal level. It specifically covers veterans with service-connected disabilities and a net worth under $2 million, who need representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after losing at the VA Board of Appeals. Law firms must specialize in veteran benefits, have 10+ years of experience, maintain a New Jersey office, and meet strict case-quantity requirements. The program requires no fees for veterans and will begin July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryS 522 directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a three-year pilot program establishing at least three locations (including one in northern and one in southern New Jersey) that exclusively sell Jersey Fresh-certified agricultural products. These "Jersey Fresh venues" - such as kiosks, stores, or vending machines - would be placed at high-traffic state facilities like toll plazas, parks, airports, and museums, funded by a $500,000 appropriation. Proprietors must sell only approved Jersey Fresh products (fruits, vegetables, seafood, or processed foods made with local ingredients), accept multiple payment methods, and donate surplus to food banks. The program requires a legislative report within two years detailing venues, costs, benefits, and recommendations for promoting local agriculture.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "child" under New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) and State Police Retirement System (SPRS). It adds two specific scenarios: children aged 18+ enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at a college or university, and children of any age with a documented disability preventing substantial gainful work for 12+ months. These changes directly affect the children of retired or deceased police officers and firefighters who previously might not have qualified for benefits under the old definition. The bill modifies eligibility criteria for retirement benefits but does not change benefit amounts or other system mechanics.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's institutions of higher education from authorizing, funding, or supporting campus events or organizations that promote antisemitism or hate speech. It defines "antisemitism" using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition, which includes rhetoric and actions targeting Jewish individuals or communities. The law requires universities to prevent antisemitic content from being endorsed or financially backed on their campuses. This directly affects all public and private colleges and universities in New Jersey by mandating policy changes to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff from hostile environments.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for hiring disabled veterans. Specifically, businesses receive a 15% credit (capped at $1,800 per veteran) on qualified wages paid to disabled veterans with a 30%+ VA disability rating who are hired after the bill's enactment and employed for at least 185 business days. The credit applies to wages paid between 2023 and 2026 for both corporation business tax and individual gross income tax. Businesses cannot claim this credit if the same wages are used for other state tax credits, and they must avoid displacing other employees solely to access the benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey from criminal charges to civil fines. It directly affects underage gamblers (under 21), casino licensees/employees who allow underage gambling, and caregivers who permit it. Key provisions set tiered civil penalties: up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for subsequent offenses. All collected fines must fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Department of Human Services. The bill removes criminal penalties while redirecting fines to support treatment services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to provide students with disabilities access to assistive services during class, such as note-taking software or a scribe, to record course material. It specifically allows recording of lectures and class content for personal use but prohibits recording tests or graded assignments completed during class. The law takes effect immediately upon passage. It directly affects students with disabilities seeking accommodations in public higher education institutions across New Jersey.