Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits force-feeding geese, ducks, or other poultry using tubes or apparatus to produce foie gras, except when done to improve a bird's health. It also bans selling or distributing foie gras unless the product originates from a state or jurisdiction that already prohibits force-feeding. Violations result in a written warning for first offenses, followed by $100 civil penalties for repeat violations (with each day of ongoing violation counted separately). The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create a new GrantsNJ division to centralize access to state grants. The division will develop an online portal listing all available grants for residents, organized by category (individuals, businesses, nonprofits, etc.), with eligibility summaries, application links, multilingual support, and step-by-step guides. State agencies must coordinate with GrantsNJ to include their grants on the portal and provide standardized application forms. The bill also requires an outreach campaign targeting underserved communities and small businesses, plus annual reports tracking grant usage, accessibility, and community impact.

Maddy summaryACR 159 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to reimburse municipalities annually for property taxes lost when veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities receive a full property tax exemption. Currently, these veterans qualify for 100% tax exemption on their property, but municipalities bear the lost revenue - shifting tax burdens to other property owners. The amendment would mandate the state pay municipalities the exact amount of property taxes they would have collected from exempt properties, with municipalities then distributing these funds to counties, school districts, and other local entities that also lose revenue from the exemption. This change aims to offset the financial impact on local governments without altering the veterans' exemption eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act" (HALO Act), creates a new disorderly persons offense for individuals who knowingly approach within 25 feet of a first responder who has instructed them to maintain distance. It directly affects people who intentionally obstruct, impair, or harass first responders (including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) during official duties. The key provision prohibits approaching too closely with the purpose of interfering with their work or threatening them. Violations are punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, without preventing prosecution under other laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Behavioral Mental Health Advisory Board within New Jersey's Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHS). The 17-member board - including agency heads and appointed public members representing mental health organizations, medical groups, and patient advocates - will review all aspects of behavioral mental health services and make recommendations to improve access, coordination, funding, and program effectiveness. The board must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, detailing findings and analyzing actions taken on prior recommendations. This advisory body directly affects how mental health services are evaluated and improved across New Jersey, ultimately impacting residents seeking behavioral health care.

Maddy summaryACR 160 proposes a constitutional amendment to exclude disability income paid by the U.S. Veterans Administration (USVA) from the $10,000 annual income limit for qualifying for New Jersey's senior citizens and disabled persons property tax deduction. Currently, veterans receiving USVA disability payments may exceed the $10,000 income threshold and lose eligibility for this deduction. The amendment would specifically exclude these USVA payments when calculating income for eligibility, allowing more disabled veterans to qualify. This change directly affects disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities whose USVA payments currently count toward their income limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to provide paid first responders with one additional sick day each year specifically for healthcare diagnostic testing related to their job duties. It applies to paid law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and members of emergency rescue squads. The additional day must be used for medical tests recommended by a healthcare provider to prevent or diagnose conditions linked to their first responder work. Employers must grant this after an employee's first year of service, and the Labor Commissioner will develop implementing rules.