Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Travel and Tourism to create and maintain a public website listing all state historic sites, districts, and roadside markers. The website must include searchable maps, driving directions (from all compass points), photos, tour details, contact information for site owners, and links to local historical programs. It will be updated whenever new sites are added by state agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection or Department of Transportation. This directly benefits tourists, historians, and local communities by centralizing access to historic resource information in one accessible online platform.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2962) gives educational support professionals (like cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and administrative staff) who served in the U.S. military and qualify for VA benefits up to four years of seniority credit. The credit counts military service completed before or during their school district employment, treating it as equivalent to actual work time for seniority purposes. It expands an existing benefit currently only available to teaching staff. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to examine New Jersey's public higher education system. The task force, including representatives from the governor, legislature, university leaders, and labor groups, will analyze governance structures, funding mechanisms, reporting requirements, and workforce alignment over one year. It must hold public hearings and submit recommendations to the governor and legislature by the one-year deadline, using $200,000 in state funds for its operations. The bill does not enact policy changes but creates a study mechanism to inform future funding and governance decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts drug manufacturers and distributors from New Jersey's pharmacy licensing requirements when distributing dialysate drugs and devices used for home dialysis treatment of end-stage renal disease patients. It directly affects dialysis manufacturers, distributors, and patients receiving home dialysis, allowing them to bypass standard pharmacy licensing rules under six specific conditions. Key provisions include requiring FDA approval, direct delivery only upon physician orders, original sealed packaging, and mandatory weekly quality checks by a consultant pharmacist. The law ensures these products are handled safely while streamlining access for patients needing home dialysis.

Maddy summaryAJR 139 designates September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" and the last full week of September as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This resolution directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing annual periods to increase public awareness about deaf culture, communication needs, and challenges faced by the estimated 850,000 residents with hearing loss in the state. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe these designations with appropriate activities. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote education about deaf issues, including sign language and accessibility barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new third-degree crime in New Jersey for knowingly filing a false report against a law enforcement officer with the intent to implicate them in a criminal offense or disciplinary infraction. It directly affects individuals who submit fabricated information to authorities specifically to harm an officer's professional standing, distinguishing this act from general false reporting or falsely accusing others. The legislation establishes that this specific offense will carry a separate penalty and will not merge with existing charges for falsely incriminating other people or making false reports about non-existent incidents. By adding this provision, the law aims to provide a specific legal consequence for targeting law enforcement personnel through false accusations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill would allow individuals to have their blood type printed on their driver's license upon request. The law applies to all new licenses, renewals, and probationary licenses issued after the bill takes effect. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would decide exactly how the blood type appears on the card. Drivers who want this feature would need to ask for it when getting or renewing their license.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault laws to impose stricter penalties for attacking specific protected groups, including elderly and disabled individuals. Under the proposed changes, any simple assault committed against these vulnerable victims would be automatically classified as an aggravated assault, carrying a more severe criminal charge. The legislation also expands the list of protected persons to include a wide range of workers such as school staff, utility employees, and healthcare providers when they are performing their official duties. By reclassifying attacks on these groups as aggravated offenses, the bill ensures that perpetrators face harsher legal consequences than those who assault the general public.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 158) requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create and run a beginning farmer mentoring program. It directly affects new farmers seeking guidance and experienced farmers who will provide mentorship. The program, developed with partners like Rutgers University and the New Jersey Farm Bureau, will connect beginning farmers with seasoned mentors to share practical farming knowledge and advice through structured support and online resources. The bill addresses the state's trend of aging farmers (average age 59 in 2012) by aiming to help new farmers succeed and sustain agriculture in New Jersey.