"Mary's Law"; requires Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide direct payments for purchases of specialized, modified motor vehicles.

This bill, "Mary's Law" (S 100), requires New Jersey's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide direct payments to sellers (not families) for specialized, modified motor vehicles needed by children with catastrophic illnesses. It specifically adds these vehicle purchases and necessary modifications to the list of eligible expenses covered by the fund, shifting from current reimbursement practices to direct payments within 30 days of approval. The bill also increases the fund's annual funding surcharge from $1.50 to $3 per employee paid by employers under the state's unemployment compensation law. This change aims to help families who cannot afford upfront vehicle costs for their children's medical needs.