Maddy summaryThis bill provides mortgage payment relief and foreclosure protection to New Jersey homeowners who received federal disaster assistance for damage from Hurricane Ida's remnants. It establishes a process for eligible homeowners to apply to the Department of Community Affairs for a "Certification of Eligibility for Forbearance," which would temporarily suspend mortgage principal and interest payments for one year. Homeowners must have occupied their primary residence as of August 31, 2021, and received federal disaster assistance related to Hurricane Ida damage. During the forbearance period, mortgage servicers cannot initiate foreclosure proceedings, though homeowners remain responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The relief ends either one year after the forbearance begins or January 1, 2026, whichever comes first.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense specifically targeting financial exploitation of elderly individuals in New Jersey. It directly affects vulnerable seniors who may be victimized by family members, caregivers, or financial professionals (like trustees or agents) who misuse their trust. The law defines key terms such as "deprive" and "fiduciary" to clarify what constitutes exploitation, including unauthorized use of an elderly person's assets or property. This amendment adds a specific criminal penalty for such acts to New Jersey’s existing statutes, strengthening legal protections for seniors against financial abuse.
Maddy summaryS 507 (New Jersey) requires all motor vehicles to have mufflers and exhaust systems that do not amplify noise beyond the original factory level, prohibiting modifications that increase sound. It directly affects vehicle owners, auto body repair shops, and inspectors by mandating that exhaust systems be inspected for excessive noise during annual vehicle safety/emissions checks. The bill amends existing laws to specify that repairs or installations must not exceed original noise levels, with violations punishable by fines up to $500. Collector vehicles (e.g., historic or low-mileage cars) may be exempt from certain inspection requirements under defined criteria. This focuses on reducing noise pollution through enforceable inspection standards rather than restricting vehicle types.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides $20 million in additional state funding for New Jersey's Summer Tuition Aid Grants program for the summer 2025 semester. It directs that eligible undergraduate students - those who received aid in the prior fall or spring semester and are enrolled in summer courses at the same institution - will receive 75% of the full grant amount they would normally qualify for under current law. The funds are allocated to the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to cover tuition costs for students enrolled in six or more credits during summer 2025. This is a supplemental appropriation to the existing FY2025 budget, specifically increasing the grant amount for summer enrollment without changing eligibility requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3468) requires New Jersey firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. The disclosure informs customers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or the State Police, and warns that buying a firearm with intent to resell to someone without a valid license is illegal. Retailers must post this disclosure visibly at all counters and keep signed copies for 15 years. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, with collected fines funding gun violence prevention efforts. The bill directly affects firearm retailers and their customers, focusing on enhancing accountability for lost/stolen firearms and preventing prohibited resales.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission to create an online system for verifying vehicle insurance coverage, directly affecting motor vehicle insurers and law enforcement. Insurers must provide policy data to the system, which law enforcement can use in real-time during traffic stops to check if vehicles have required insurance. The system replaces any existing verification method and allows the Commission to suspend vehicle registration for uninsured drivers until proof of insurance and fees are provided. A nine-month pilot program must test the system before full enforcement begins, with a report due within two years on costs and effectiveness in reducing uninsured vehicles. The bill becomes effective 90 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires for-profit colleges that convert to nonprofit status to submit their annual IRS Form 990 (a standard nonprofit tax form) to New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education for five years after conversion. The Secretary must review these forms each year to check for misuse of nonprofit funds for private benefit, such as excessive executive pay or personal asset use. If violations are found, the Secretary can recommend revoking the institution's nonprofit status to the Secretary of State. The law applies specifically to institutions converting under New Jersey's nonprofit corporation laws.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1475, the "Consumer Legal Funding Act," regulates companies that provide non-recourse funding to residents with pending lawsuits. It requires contracts to include a 5-day rescission period (allowing cancellation without penalty), clear fee disclosures, and written attorney acknowledgments verifying proper disclosure and contingency billing. The bill bans funding companies from paying referral fees to attorneys or misleading advertising, and prohibits them from influencing legal case decisions. This directly affects New Jersey consumers with active legal claims, funding companies, and their attorneys by establishing transparency and consumer protections in this financial service.
Maddy summaryS 3277 redirects unspent funds from New Jersey's animal control special accounts (currently going to municipal/state general funds) to support animal cruelty enforcement. Excess municipal funds will go to county prosecutors (40% retained, 60% distributed to municipalities), while excess state funds will go to the Superintendent of State Police (40% to State Police, 50% to county humane officers, 10% to the Police Training Commission). These funds must be used exclusively for investigating, prosecuting animal cruelty offenses, performing necropsies, and training humane law enforcement officers. The bill directly affects municipalities, county prosecutors, police departments, and the Police Training Commission by requiring targeted use of redirected funds.
Maddy summaryS 3745 allocates $400,000 from New Jersey's General Fund to the nonprofit Living for a Cause to support its existing "Patient Pet Food Security Wellness Program." This grant helps patients undergoing medical care in Burlington County and surrounding areas who face economic hardship by providing pet food, preventing them from surrendering pets to shelters due to cost. The funding directly assists low-income patients managing both health treatment and pet care expenses. The program, launched in 2023, has been distributing pet food through partnerships with local food pantries and home delivery services.