Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the amount of paid leave available to public employees in New Jersey who serve in the United States Reserves or National Guard. Under the new provisions, these employees would receive up to 90 work days of paid leave for federal active duty, an increase from the current limit of 30 days. Any time served beyond the 90-day cap would remain unpaid but would not count against the employee's accrued time off. The change applies to full-time or permanent officers and employees across state, county, and municipal agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism to include advertisements for the state's four official wine-growing regions on outdoor signs and displays visible to tourists. It mandates that these signs promote specific wineries and viticulture attractions within the Central Delaware Valley, Warren Hills, Outer Coastal Plain, and Cape May Peninsula areas. To implement this, the bill establishes a system where wineries can apply to have their locations marked on public displays, with reasonable fees charged for the creation and maintenance of these signs. Additionally, the legislation creates a visual arts competition to design original artwork for these outdoor advertisements, ensuring the final designs comply with state and federal laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires youth and sports organizations in New Jersey to obtain criminal history background checks for all employees, volunteers, and organizers working with individuals under 18 years of age. Organizations must request these checks through the State Bureau of Identification, and individuals must provide written consent before a check is conducted. The bill establishes that organizations bear the cost of the checks, mandates annual checks unless a valid check from the same year was already completed, and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for organizations that fail to comply. Additionally, it creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly participate in youth organizations despite being disqualified based on their criminal history or for organizers who ignore background check results.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates neutral safe exchange zones at county sheriff offices for parents exchanging minor children under custody or visitation orders. Each zone must have clear signage, 24/7 access, adequate lighting, and continuous video surveillance recording for 45 days. The court may require exchanges at these zones if domestic violence is involved or a restraining order exists. County sheriffs receive state funding to establish these zones, and law enforcement is protected from liability for incidents occurring there.

Maddy summaryS 3016 requires youth and sports organizations (like teams, leagues, and activity providers for people under 18) to conduct annual criminal history background checks on all employees, volunteers, and organizers. Organizations must submit names, addresses, and fingerprints to the state for checks, covering convictions for violent crimes, crimes against children, theft, or drug offenses. Organizations bear the cost (capped at actual expenses), and failure to comply risks fines up to $1,000 per violation. Public and nonpublic schools are excluded, as are staff who already have required background checks through other programs.

Maddy summaryS 2641 amends New Jersey's brewery licensing law to explicitly permit farm breweries (operating under a limited brewery license) to sell beer for on-premises consumption at their facilities. Previously, these breweries could only sell for off-site consumption (up to 15.5 gallons per person) and offer samples, but this bill adds on-site drinking as a new option. The amendment does not change existing rules for off-site sales or sampling (which remain limited to 15.5 gallons per person and 4-ounce samples, respectively). This directly affects farm breweries by expanding their sales capabilities and benefits customers who wish to drink at brewery locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide stockpile of essential medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies to be managed by New Jersey's Department of Health in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management. It requires the creation of guidelines for procuring, managing, and distributing these supplies during public health emergencies, outbreaks, or natural disasters, with priority given to rural and medically underserved areas. The stockpile will include a "virtually sequestered buffer" managed by private vendors to prevent expiration and ensure availability. The bill appropriates state funds from the General Fund to implement this program, which would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local government agencies in New Jersey from hiring employees who are currently on paid leave from a different county or municipality. The rule applies to both full-time and part-time positions, ensuring that workers cannot hold two paid government jobs simultaneously across different local jurisdictions. By immediately banning this practice, the legislation aims to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain clear boundaries between separate local government entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Commission on Women Veterans within the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs to study and address the specific needs of women veterans, including housing, healthcare, and job training. The commission will consist of 15 members, nine of whom must be women veterans, along with representatives from various military branches and veteran organizations, all appointed by the Governor. Members will serve without pay but can receive expense reimbursements, and the commission is required to meet at least quarterly to review policies and make recommendations to improve services for women veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to conduct a study on the environmental, infrastructural, and financial impacts of data center development within the state. The study must be completed within twelve months and include a detailed report for the Governor and Legislature covering energy and water usage, effects on the electric grid and air quality, land use changes, potential health risks, and fiscal impacts like utility rate increases. To gather information, the Board is mandated to solicit input from stakeholders and hold at least one public hearing before submitting their findings and recommendations for future regulations.