Maddy summaryThis bill (A2836) increases the asset limits for certain New Jersey Medicaid applicants who qualify as "medically needy." It directly affects low-income residents in specific groups, including pregnant women, children under 21, seniors 65+, and blind or disabled adults, who have higher asset thresholds than standard Medicaid applicants. The key change raises the resource standard for households: for households of three or more people, the limit increases by $20,000 per additional person (from $100 previously), setting new caps at $40,000 for one-person households and $60,000 for two-person households. This adjustment aims to align New Jersey's Medicaid eligibility with federal guidelines and expand access for qualifying residents with modest assets. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require the Director of the Division of Taxation to include sales of properties in age-restricted communities sold by third parties (such as guardians, executors, or trustees) in the table of equalized valuations used for tax assessments. It directly affects residents of age-restricted communities, as current rules exclude these sales from valuation calculations due to their non-market nature. The key change mandates that such third-party sales be counted as part of the data determining fair market value for property tax purposes. This adjustment aims to ensure assessments better reflect actual market conditions for these properties.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to establish a voting integrity task force within the Division of Criminal Justice. The task force will investigate and prosecute crimes involving voting fraud, using a coordinated strategy across state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies. It directly affects law enforcement agencies participating in the task force and the state's election integrity processes. The task force must be created within the specified division, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. (3 sentences)
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires electric utilities to install smart meters (devices that track real-time electricity usage) upon customer request (with the customer paying the installation cost) and in all new building construction. Utilities must submit installation plans to the Board of Public Utilities within 90 days, include provisions for customers to share their usage data with third parties (like energy providers), and offer time-of-use pricing options within 24 months. It directly affects residential and commercial customers who request smart meters and new building developers. The policy mandates specific data access and billing changes but does not require utilities to cover installation costs for existing customers.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school with a library to post a complete, up-to-date list of all library resources - such as books, magazines, DVDs, and digital databases - on its public website in an easily accessible location. Schools must add any newly purchased or ordered resources to the list within 10 days. The school library media specialist is responsible for maintaining the list, or if no specialist exists, the principal must assign a staff member to handle it. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A-706) prohibits New Jersey public utilities from filing requests for rate increases when the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is either investigating whether the utility exceeded its authorized profit margin or has ordered a base rate case to review that. It requires the BPU to block any rate hike request during these active investigations or proceedings, continuing until the case or investigation concludes. This directly affects regulated utilities (like gas, electric, water companies) seeking to raise rates while under scrutiny. The law amends existing utility rate regulations to enforce this temporary freeze on rate increases during regulatory reviews.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 283) adds current members of the New Jersey State Legislature to the list of individuals authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions while holding office. It amends existing law (R.S. 37:1-13) to include legislators alongside judges, mayors, certified civil celebrants, and clergy. The bill does not change certification requirements for civil celebrants but expands who can legally perform marriage ceremonies. It directly affects current state legislators by granting them this specific officiant authority during their term. The bill is procedural and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes squatting in vacant homes by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering without permission to live there), "unlawful occupancy" (living in a vacant home without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning after being evicted via court order). It presumes people know they lack permission unless they have a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details. The law directly affects individuals occupying vacant properties without legal authorization, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill aims to replace current eviction processes with criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 656) authorizes New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission to issue special insignias for passenger cars used to transport individuals with developmental disabilities. Drivers providing this transportation (such as family caregivers) would receive the insignia, allowing their vehicles to park in handicapped spaces when actively transporting a person with a developmental disability. The insignia is renewable annually and costs no more than the actual administrative fee. It defines "developmental disability" as a severe, chronic condition present before age 22 that causes significant limitations in major life activities, including autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 946), now law as P.L.2025, c.177, requires mental health services to be provided in the communication method preferred by each deaf or hard of hearing individual - such as sign language or oral communication - based on their assessment. It mandates that mental health professionals be fluent in that method, trained in cultural needs, and able to collaborate with interpreters. The law also requires a state resource guide listing specialized mental health services and ensures individuals can help shape their own care plans. It directly affects all deaf or hard of hearing residents seeking mental health support in New Jersey, addressing long-standing barriers in access and care quality.