Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1696 updates optometrists' scope of practice by expanding their ability to provide eye care services. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances under specific conditions), administer immunizations for coronaviruses, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and perform minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies or treating chalazions. It also permits certain non-invasive laser/ultrasound treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using only topical anesthesia, while explicitly prohibiting invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. These changes apply to all optometrists practicing in New Jersey and require adherence to CDC guidelines for immunizations and reporting to the state immunization registry.

Maddy summaryACR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence of a surviving spouse from property taxes if their law enforcement officer spouse was killed in the line of duty. This would directly affect surviving spouses of eligible officers who own and occupy their home as their primary residence and do not remarry. The exemption would remain in effect until the spouse remarries or stops occupying the home as their primary residence. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryACR 29 is a New Jersey legislative resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V convention of states. The bill seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. It functions as a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until two-thirds of states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step (not a law) to initiate a potential constitutional convention process, directly affecting New Jersey's legislative action and the broader state-level effort to influence federal governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires residential health care facilities to maintain at least two staff members on duty at all times for resident supervision (which can be a primary or secondary duty) and to develop comprehensive plans for residents who leave the premises, including immediate reporting protocols if a resident is missing for 24 hours. It directly affects free-standing residential health care facilities (not located within licensed health care facilities), which fall under the Department of Community Affairs' oversight. The Department of Health will oversee facilities located within other licensed health care facilities. The bill also clarifies that such facilities cannot advertise or operate as nursing homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey nursing homes to provide annual training for staff on caring for residents with behavioral health needs. Specifically, it mandates that certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other direct-care staff receive training covering sensitivity to behavioral health issues, information about depression and psychiatric disorders, and medication use for these conditions. The training program must be established by the Commissioner of Health (with input from the Commissioner of Human Services) and implemented by nursing homes starting seven months after the bill takes effect. It directly affects nursing home staff and residents with behavioral health conditions by setting new standards for their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time $5 million grant program to help 10 specific New Jersey school districts implement free, full-day kindergarten programs. It directly affects districts that currently do not offer this service, including Moorestown, Haddonfield, Metuchen, and others listed in the bill. School districts must submit applications detailing their implementation plans and costs to receive an equal share of the funds. The program requires districts to apply with specific plans before receiving grants, with all funds distributed evenly among eligible districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility rules for New Jersey's state small business set-aside program, which helps direct government contracts to qualifying small businesses. It specifies that employee size limits apply only to businesses without a federal revenue standard (13 CFR §121.201), and changes how gross revenue is calculated: businesses must now average revenue over five tax years (instead of three), with specific formulas for newer businesses or those with short fiscal years. These rules directly affect small businesses seeking state contracts under the program. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.254, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's farmland assessment rules to allow landowners with noncontiguous parcels to qualify for agricultural tax assessment. It permits five or more noncontiguous acres actively used for farming (for two consecutive years) to qualify if at least three acres are contiguous and all land is owned by a single person. The change modifies existing law (P.L.1964, c.48) to replace the requirement for five contiguous acres with this new configuration. It directly affects farmers owning fragmented farmland parcels who previously could not meet the contiguous acre threshold.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.