Asm. Luanne Peterpaul

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign about doulas. It mandates the campaign to explain doulas' roles before, during, and after pregnancy; detail their services and research-supported benefits; and list free or low-cost doula resources. The campaign must provide materials in the top 10 languages spoken in New Jersey, available online and distributed through health clinics, WIC offices, Planned Parenthood locations, pharmacies, and community organizations. The goal is to increase public understanding and access to doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all paid and part-paid New Jersey fire departments to create, review annually, and update a written policy addressing pregnancy-related workplace issues within 180 days of the bill's effective date. The policy must cover disclosure of pregnancy, medical restrictions from a physician, availability of modified duties or non-hazardous assignments, information on unsafe tasks during pregnancy, leave usage, and continued benefits. Departments must follow guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association or similar professional standards when developing this policy. The bill directly affects pregnant firefighters in these departments by mandating clear, written workplace protections and support.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4848) requires doctors and nurses to screen pregnant patients for lead exposure if they identify risk factors - such as living in older housing - based on CDC and medical guidelines. It mandates one lead screening per pregnancy for at-risk patients, with providers notifying patients of elevated lead levels and ensuring children under six in the household are screened. Patients can refuse testing in writing, and labs must report results to health departments within five business days. The law applies to all pregnant individuals in New Jersey receiving care from covered healthcare providers, aiming to prevent lead poisoning during pregnancy.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the enrollment window for newborn infants in health benefits coverage from 60 to 90 days after birth. It directly affects newborns and their parents or guardians who must enroll infants in existing health plans. The key change modifies existing law to require that notification of a birth and required payment must be submitted within 90 days (previously 60 days) to maintain coverage beyond that period. The policy change provides families with additional time to complete enrollment paperwork without losing coverage for their newborn. This applies to both family-type and non-family-type health benefit contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4193) requires licensed healthcare providers offering prenatal care in New Jersey to offer and provide, upon request, screening for postpartum depression to pregnant patients with a history of depression. It directly affects pregnant patients who have experienced depression and the healthcare professionals treating them. The key provision adds a new requirement to existing law, mandating that providers screen these specific patients during prenatal visits when requested. This expands current policies that already require education about postpartum depression and postnatal screenings for all new mothers. The law aims to improve early detection and support for at-risk patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to accept voluntary donations, grants, or gifts from the public and private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs). The funds received would be deposited into a special nonlapsing state fund managed by the State Treasurer and must be used exclusively for producing these PSAs. It directly affects the DMVA's funding mechanisms for suicide prevention outreach, allowing it to supplement existing efforts without requiring new state appropriations. The bill does not change existing suicide prevention programs but creates a new funding pathway for PSAs through private or public contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish an Alzheimer's disease public awareness and education program. The program must develop public campaigns about symptoms, early detection, and safety; create accessible educational materials for health providers; and train emergency responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. DHS must consult with the Alzheimer's Association and make materials available online in English and Spanish. The initiative is subject to available funding and aims to improve community understanding and response to Alzheimer's disease.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid programs to cover prescription drugs for specific serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It defines "serious mental illness" to include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders listed in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The legislation applies to all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, mandating coverage for these medications without utilization management barriers that often delay treatment. This would directly affect individuals with these mental health conditions who currently face insurance hurdles to accessing necessary medications.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6301) reduces the minimum required annual thoroughbred horse racing dates for two New Jersey racetracks. Specifically, it lowers the minimum from 50 to 25 race dates per year for permit holders at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands Racetrack, but only if they obtain written consent from the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. The change applies to the combined requirement for these two tracks, which currently must schedule at least 141 dates total (with a 50-date minimum). The bill does not alter the existing minimums for standardbred racing at Meadowlands or Freehold Raceway.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6275) appropriates $44.4 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds are specifically allocated for acquiring lands for recreation and conservation, including Blue Acres flood mitigation projects and administrative costs for the Green Acres Program. The bill directs funding toward 15 specific land acquisition projects across six counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Bergen, and Burlington), as detailed in the bill text. It does not create new policy but redirects existing constitutionally protected tax revenues to support land conservation efforts.