Asm. Margie Donlon

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying a vehicle's muffler or exhaust system to amplify noise beyond the original factory level, directly affecting car owners and operators who install aftermarket exhaust systems. It requires vehicle inspections to check mufflers and exhaust systems for excessive or unusual noise, expanding current inspection standards that previously focused only on emissions. Violations carry a penalty of up to $500 in fines, 30 days in jail, or both. The bill amends existing laws (R.S. 39:3-69(c) and R.S. 39:3-70(b)) to clarify the prohibition and align inspection requirements with noise regulations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4511) requires health insurance carriers to cover enrollment in recovery high school alternative education programs for students diagnosed with substance use disorders. Coverage must be provided under the same terms and conditions as other medical benefits, with placement determined clinically appropriate by certified counselors, physicians, or treatment facilities. The bill amends existing insurance law to include this coverage requirement for programs established under P.L.2015, c.254. This provision supplements existing mental health parity requirements under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 142) supports the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a 1986 law requiring hospitals to screen and stabilize emergency patients regardless of payment ability. It urges continued federal enforcement of EMTALA’s core provisions: hospitals must not delay emergency screenings or treatment to check insurance/payment status, and must stabilize patients before transfer or discharge. The resolution directly affects hospitals and patients in emergency care settings by advocating for the preservation of these federal protections, and it directs copies to federal officials and New Jersey state agencies.

Maddy summaryThe "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act" (A4483) requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the State Health Benefits Program to cover cancer treatments administered through IV or other non-digestive system methods, along with survivorship care plans for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer, with no cost-sharing required. The bill prohibits mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure actions and creditors from starting collection proceedings against cancer patients undergoing treatment, requiring dismissal of such actions upon physician certification. Additionally, it provides up to 45 days' eviction protection for tenants with cancer who submit physician certification, and extends employment protections for cancer patients taking disability leave. This legislation directly affects cancer patients in New Jersey who are receiving treatment for advanced stages of cancer, ensuring they face fewer financial barriers during their treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3532) creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active, unpaid members of volunteer fire departments, ambulance squads, or rescue organizations. It allows eligible members to claim a credit based on miles driven using their personal vehicle during emergency duty, calculated at the IRS business mileage rate, capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for joint filers. To qualify, members must meet specific service requirements (e.g., 60% attendance at calls/meetings for non-duty-hour volunteers, or 400+ duty hours for those with duty-hour responsibilities) and be in good standing with their organization. The credit is refundable, meaning it can be paid even if the member owes no income tax, and organizations must certify qualifying members annually to the tax division.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages New Jersey public school teachers to obtain current certification in emergency first aid, CPR, and AED use. It requires school districts to promote certification, provide recognition through a certificate of commendation and online public listing, and ensure the Department of Education offers training opportunities in both in-person and online formats. Teachers who earn certification may apply for eight hours toward their annual professional development requirement. The bill aims to enhance immediate response to medical emergencies in schools by increasing the number of trained staff, without mandating certification for teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey Department of State grant program to fund local governments hiring storytellers with Revolutionary War expertise. Local governments can receive matching grants of up to $25,000 each to hire these storytellers, with the goal of attracting tourists during the 2026 U.S. Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War). The program requires applicants to demonstrate specific tourism objectives and prove their location is historically significant to the Revolutionary War. A total of $2 million in state funds is appropriated, with the program ending by December 31, 2026, or when funds are exhausted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a container deposit and refund system for beverage containers in New Jersey. It requires all filled beverage containers sold in the state to be returnable containers with a $0.10 deposit, clearly marked with "New Jersey" and the refund value. Consumers pay the $0.10 deposit when purchasing beverages and can return empty containers to dealers or redemption centers for a cash refund. The bill affects manufacturers (who must create returnable containers), distributors (who must originate the deposit), dealers (who collect the deposit and issue refunds), and consumers (who pay the deposit and receive refunds). Moneys from unclaimed deposits will fund environmental cleanup and prevention programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain New Jersey school districts that will lose state aid to submit their budgets after the state's FY2025 budget is finalized. It specifically applies to districts where the state aid reduction exceeds their unused tax authority (known as "banked cap" under current law). The Commissioner of Education must permit these districts to submit budgets within five days after the FY2025 appropriations act is enacted, and may adjust the budget calendar to create a compressed timeline for approval. The change applies only to the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's AJR 177 is a resolution urging Congress and the President to pass the "Do Not Disturb Act." It highlights that Americans receive over 2.1 billion spam and scam calls monthly - wasting 195 million hours in 2023 - and notes a Supreme Court ruling (Facebook v. Duguid) that limits current anti-robocall laws. The proposed act would expand protections against spam calls, combat AI-driven scams, and reduce costs for consumer call-blocking technology. It directly affects all U.S. phone users, with particular concern for seniors targeted by these calls. The resolution calls for federal action to address this widespread issue.