Sen. Britnee Timberlake

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits businesses that provide services from charging extra fees to customers who pay with a debit card. It amends existing consumer protection laws to explicitly ban surcharges for debit transactions while maintaining rules that allow small fees for credit card use if clearly disclosed. Sellers must inform customers before payment that debit cards cannot be surcharged, and violations are treated as unlawful practices subject to fines and penalties. The law applies to all service providers in the state and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 3451 requires New Jersey state agencies, the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee, and municipalities hosting World Cup venues (like stadiums or fan zones) to submit reports on human rights protections during the 2026 event. These reports must detail actions taken to implement human rights commitments made in the 2021 NY/NJ Human Rights Report, evaluate their effectiveness, and outline future plans. The initial report is due 30 days after the bill's enactment, and a final report is due 30 days after the World Cup final on July 19, 2026. All reports will be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to two years of volunteer service at their local fire department. The policy amends New Jersey's education rules to accept fire academy completion as fulfillment of specific graduation requirements, directly affecting eligible students in participating school districts. It does not replace existing junior firefighter auxiliary programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonpublic schools (like private or religious schools) to share a student's disciplinary records with public school districts when the student transfers. Specifically, upon a public school's written request, nonpublic schools must provide all disciplinary information they have about the student and notify the district if they hold court or law enforcement records related to the student. No parental consent is needed to share these records, though nonpublic schools must inform parents or the student themselves about the transfer. The law applies to all nonpublic schools in New Jersey that serve grades K-12 and aims to align disciplinary record transfers with existing procedures for public school students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include voter education in the 12th-grade social studies curriculum as part of the state's Student Learning Standards. It mandates teaching students about voting importance, eligibility and registration processes, and how to locate polling places or request absentee ballots. School districts must incorporate this content directly into their existing curriculum, with optional collaboration between schools and local election officials to develop materials or provide registration forms. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect immediately upon enactment for the first full school year after passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1526) increases criminal penalties for identity theft when the victim is a senior citizen (62+) or veteran. It amends N.J.S.2C:21-17 to elevate offenses involving these groups: a first offense against a senior or veteran becomes a third-degree crime (previously fourth degree), and a second offense becomes a second-degree crime (previously third degree). The bill also increases penalties for cases involving multiple victims if any victim is a senior or veteran. These changes directly affect identity thieves targeting vulnerable groups, making their offenses more serious under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities to approve converting vacant or underused office parks and retail centers into mixed-use developments (combining housing, shops, and services) without requiring special zoning variances. It applies to properties meeting specific criteria: at least 50,000 sq ft for office parks or 15,000 sq ft for retail centers with 25%+ vacancy for 18+ months, plus evidence of active marketing efforts. Key requirements include dedicating at least 20% of new housing units to affordable tiers (with 50% low-income and 13% very-low income), ensuring multiple non-industrial uses, and complying with existing mixed-use zoning standards. The bill directly affects developers, property owners, and local planning boards by streamlining approvals for repurposing declining commercial properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of multi-unit buildings with three or more floors (excluding cooperatives, condos, or certain common-interest properties) to give priority to senior citizens or disabled residents who want to move to a lower floor within the same building, maintaining the same bedroom count. Qualifying residents get first refusal over new applicants and other residents seeking lower-floor units. Owners must post a sign explaining this priority policy, and existing affordability or income restrictions remain in place. The law applies only to non-exempt buildings and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue specialty license plates featuring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s emblem and slogan. Motorists who apply for these plates must pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all additional fees deposited into a dedicated "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. License Plate Fund." The fund, managed by the state Treasury, will provide annual grants to support the sorority's existing programs, including youth education, economic development, and community health initiatives. The license plates are subject to standard vehicle registration rules but require consultation with the sorority's Eastern Regional Director for design approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows families receiving state or federal housing subsidies to more easily adjust their subsidy amounts when new members join their household, such as through the birth of a child or adoption. It also enables an expedited process to change the head-of-household designation within a family if emergency situations or financial issues like poor credit history prevent them from securing safe housing. Additionally, the legislation requires landlords to refrain from conducting credit checks on household members during these adjustments to help families maintain their rental assistance without interruption.