Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords and condo associations in New Jersey to install and maintain approved child-protection window guards in rental units where children under 10 live, are regularly present, or will reside. It applies to all windows except those on fire escapes, non-opening windows, or first-floor emergency exits (with specific exceptions for first-floor windows under commissioner rules). Landlords must provide annual safety orientations and conduct semi-annual inspections to ensure guards meet safety standards for emergency egress. The law also allows tenants to waive the requirement in writing but permits them to rescind the waiver if they later request guards.

Maddy summaryS 2838 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to research and develop recommendations addressing generational harms caused by New Jersey's historical role in slavery and ongoing systemic racial discrimination. The task force will examine specific issues like racial wealth gaps (where Black families have a median net worth of $5,900 vs. $309,000 for white families), housing discrimination, mass incarceration, and voting disparities affecting Black residents. It will produce a report with policy proposals for state-based reparations, focusing on systemic inequities documented in the bill, such as Black children being 30 times more likely to be incarcerated than white children. The bill directly affects Black communities in New Jersey facing persistent racial disparities in housing, education, and criminal justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 453) prohibits landlords or their agents from charging residential rental application fees exceeding $50 for most properties, directly affecting landlords who collect such fees. Violations carry a $1,500 penalty per offense, with $250 of each penalty returned to the tenant. It exempts single-family and two-family homes from the fee cap and requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to create an online reporting system for violations. The bill was withdrawn after being enacted as P.L.2025, c.405, meaning it is now law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits in New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems. It directly affects current and future retirees, including state employees and teachers, by requiring their benefits to increase each year to match inflation without needing separate legislative action. The key mechanism establishes a permanent automatic adjustment process tied to inflation data, eliminating the need for annual budget amendments. This change ensures retirees' purchasing power remains aligned with rising living costs over time.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's "Combat Infantryman Badge" license plates to include veterans who hold a Combat Action Ribbon (instead of the Combat Infantryman Badge). It directly affects veterans, particularly Marines, who previously could not qualify for these plates due to their award type. The key provision amends existing law to recognize the Combat Action Ribbon as equivalent, allowing qualifying veterans to obtain distinctive plates bearing the badge emblem for a $15 fee. The bill also permits surviving spouses to retain these plates on vehicles registered to them.

Maddy summaryS 2771, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration authorities based on immigration detainers. It requires agencies like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to provide services without fear of immigration enforcement, ensuring all residents access public services regardless of immigration status. The bill specifically bans cooperation with "immigration detainers" (requests from federal authorities to detain people) unless supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects immigrant communities by reducing barriers to healthcare, education, and public safety services, while directing state resources toward local priorities instead of federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill S 441 prohibits home improvement contractors from requiring subcontractors to provide full liability protection (full indemnification) in contracts. It limits any liability clause between contractors and subcontractors for defects or poor workmanship to a maximum of 50% indemnification. This requirement must be certified in writing by contractors for all home improvement contracts exceeding $500, which must be signed by all parties and include specific terms. The bill directly affects home improvement contractors and their subcontractor agreements, aiming to prevent unfair liability shifts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows inmates with disabilities in New Jersey state correctional facilities to use service animals or "incarcerated person companion animals" (pets kept for companionship) under specific conditions. It requires the Department of Corrections to create a program where inmates can apply for animal assistance, with evaluations conducted within 30 days for companion animal requests. Key provisions include mandatory health documentation for animals, rules for when and how animals may be present, and processes for handling requests from inmates with existing service animals or those seeking new ones. The bill appropriates funds for implementation and sets standards to balance inmate needs with facility safety and operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 448) upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, elevating it to a third-degree crime (a higher-level criminal charge) from the previous fourth-degree classification. It creates a new Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the state Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate education, victim support, and prevention programs statewide. The office will work with law enforcement, schools, and social media platforms to improve reporting systems, develop awareness campaigns, and provide counseling for victims. The bill also appropriates state funds for the office’s implementation and includes provisions for parental accountability if minors commit cyber-harassment. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.303.)