Rep. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges the Governor of New Jersey to ensure that religious freedom is protected during any declared state of emergency. The bill is non-binding and does not change laws or create new mandates; instead, it serves as a formal recommendation to the executive branch based on the argument that houses of worship should be treated similarly to other essential businesses. By citing past restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the text highlights concerns that religious gatherings were unfairly limited compared to secular services. Ultimately, the measure asks the Governor to consider constitutional rights when issuing emergency orders that might affect places of worship.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that lease agreements for school buildings lasting more than 15 years be approved directly by voters or the board of school estimate, depending on the district type. Under the new rules, districts must present a specific question to the public that details the lease term, annual payment amounts, and the projected impact on the school district's tax levy. The bill also mandates that the ballot question include a clear statement informing voters that the school district will not own the building at the end of the lease term. Additionally, the legislation updates existing state laws regarding how school boards can lease, purchase, or acquire buildings and equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection from placing a cap on the number of mobile sport fishing permits issued each year. It requires the department to begin selling these permits annually on December 15 and to process applications in the order they are received. Starting in 2027, applicants must also hold a valid registration with the New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program to receive a permit. Additionally, the legislation mandates that at least 10 percent of the revenue from these permits be used to maintain Island Beach State Park.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution urges the President and Congress to exempt Social Security benefits from federal income tax. The resolution highlights that while many states do not tax these benefits, federal law currently allows taxation of up to 85 percent of benefits for higher-income recipients. It requests that federal legislation be introduced to remove this tax burden entirely. The resolution is a formal request to the federal government and does not directly change any laws within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a toll-free helpline to support first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline staff who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder related to their work during the pandemic. The New Jersey Department of Health will partner with Rutgers University to run this service, which will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for both workers and their families. Helpline operators will be trained in mental health issues specific to these professions and will refer callers to additional counseling and peer support when necessary. The program will protect the privacy of callers while allowing for tracking only in cases where there is a reasonable belief of imminent harm to the individual or others.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health care providers to phase out the use of vaccines containing mercury over a three-year period. Starting in 2016, providers cannot give certain flu shots with higher mercury levels to young children or any other vaccine with more than a trace amount, followed by a total ban on mercury-containing vaccines by 2018. The law includes a safety exception allowing the state health commissioner to permit higher mercury levels during disease outbreaks if no other options are available, provided patients are informed beforehand. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state health department create rules to enforce these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates new criminal penalties for individuals who illegally possess or use devices designed to read information from credit and debit cards. Under the proposed law, simply owning such a scanner without a legal reason would be a disorderly persons offense punishable by fines or up to six months in jail. Using the device for unlawful purposes carries much heavier consequences, classified as a second-degree crime that could result in fines up to $150,000 or five to ten years in prison. The legislation directly targets the equipment used to steal financial data from payment cards, aiming to increase the legal risks associated with these activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Fairness for School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act, provides additional state funding to specific school districts located in municipalities within New Jersey's Highlands or Pinelands preservation areas. To qualify, a school district must have a resident enrollment of over 500 students, be entirely located in a municipality where at least 25 percent of the land is in these protected areas, and have experienced a net loss in state school aid since the 2017-2018 school year. The funding amount is calculated by multiplying $250 by the number of acres in the municipality that fall within the preservation areas, with maximum annual caps of $2.5 million for districts with fewer than 1,000 students and $5 million for larger districts. The legislation takes effect immediately and applies to the first full school year following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Safe Guardianship Act" in New Jersey, which restricts who can be appointed as a guardian for an incapacitated person. The law prohibits granting guardianship letters to anyone who is involved in a civil lawsuit or has a restraining order against the incapacitated person, particularly in cases of domestic violence. Additionally, it requires judicial review of guardianship appointments made before a domestic violence case is filed and mandates that courts consider a defendant's prior guardianship history when setting bail in domestic violence cases. These provisions aim to protect vulnerable individuals from potential abuse by people with conflicting interests or histories of violence.