Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program from a Mercer County-only initiative to cover the entire state, allowing local governments and transit agencies statewide to apply for grants. It adds specific requirements for projects, including ensuring access for low-income residents without smartphones or credit cards and requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles and accessible mobile apps. The bill appropriates $20 million in new state funding (beyond an existing $2 million) to support these grants. The program funds transportation projects using innovative technologies to improve mobility, accessibility, and sustainability in disadvantaged communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover self-administered hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, vaginal rings, and diaphragms) when dispensed by pharmacists under a standing order. Currently, Medicaid beneficiaries need a doctor's prescription for these contraceptives before getting them at a pharmacy, but this bill would eliminate that requirement. The bill defines "standing order" as a prewritten medication order that allows pharmacists to provide these contraceptives without an individual prescription. This change would increase access to contraceptives for Medicaid recipients without requiring additional doctor visits. The policy change applies specifically to Medicaid beneficiaries who use these contraceptive methods.

Maddy summaryBill A4661 creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's state income tax returns to support reproductive health care access. Taxpayers can choose to add a contribution to their refund or send a separate payment to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" established in the Department of the Treasury. The fund would be distributed annually, equally to the three largest Medicaid reproductive health care providers in the state, to cover services for low-income individuals. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to include pregnancy-related care and abortion services. This policy directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who file state returns and Medicaid providers serving uninsured patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to help fire districts create or expand resident firefighter programs. It directly affects fire districts by providing funds to build or improve housing facilities (like dormitories with kitchens) and offer amenities for firefighters who live at fire stations in exchange for their duties. Grants can cover construction, supplies, and incentives, with the state required to request at least $5 million annually for the program. The Division of Fire Safety will manage applications, ensure equitable regional distribution of funds, and monitor grant usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies that physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, and advanced practice nurses can provide abortion services within their scope of practice, including both aspiration and medication abortions. It clarifies that facilities performing abortion procedures not requiring general anesthesia or operating rooms (such as early aspiration abortions) do not need to be licensed as ambulatory surgical facilities. The bill formalizes existing regulations that have been in effect since 2021, removing unnecessary facility requirements to increase access to abortion care. These services may be performed in procedure rooms rather than requiring full surgical facility licensing, while still requiring adherence to standard of care regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Reproductive Health Care Access Fund" to improve access to abortion and related reproductive health services. The fund will directly support clinics and providers by funding three programs: (1) clinical training for health care professionals to expand provider capacity, (2) security grants for clinics facing threats like violence or cyberattacks, and (3) loans for facility renovations, technology, and staff retention. It targets gaps identified in southern New Jersey counties with no abortion providers and addresses security risks reported by clinics. Funding comes from the state General Fund, with specific allocations for each program’s implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to repay student loans for reproductive health care professionals in New Jersey who work at approved facilities providing abortion services. It appropriates $5 million to cover up to 18-28% of qualifying student loans per year of service (maxing at $200,000 total), requiring participants to work at approved sites for 1-4 years. Eligibility prioritizes professionals in counties with provider shortages, and applicants must be New Jersey residents employed in reproductive health care. The program explicitly includes abortion care as part of "reproductive health services" under the bill's definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers and insurance companies to obtain written consent before sharing a patient's medical information about reproductive health care services (including pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care). Patients must be informed of their right to withhold consent before receiving services or when disclosing previous reproductive health information. Exceptions allowing disclosure without consent include medical emergencies, legal requirements, court orders, and investigations into abuse or complaints. Violations could result in $1,000 per violation in damages plus legal fees, while explicitly maintaining existing federal HIPAA protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. It creates a new crime for interfering with these services (including physical obstruction, intimidation, or damaging property), with penalties ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. The bill also prevents New Jersey from extraditing people for legally protected health care activities, prohibits licensing boards from penalizing providers for services that are legal in New Jersey but illegal in other states, and protects patient privacy related to these services. It specifically ensures that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no independent legal rights under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all public women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men's restroom in every campus building - including lecture halls, residence halls, libraries, and dining facilities. It mandates a variety of products (regular to super-plus, allergy-friendly options) and requires educational materials about menstrual health and disposal. The state will cover all costs for these products, with institutions reimbursed annually through a documentation process. The bill directly affects students and staff at New Jersey’s public higher education institutions, ensuring access to essential hygiene products across all campus facilities.