Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryMichelle's Law requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms when a healthcare provider recommends them. It mandates baseline mammograms for women at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and coverage for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) based on provider recommendation. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs if needed due to dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or other risk factors. This applies to all health insurance contracts, including those allowing premium changes, without limiting coverage for other medical conditions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 841 requires voters to present physical identification at polling places during any election. It specifies 13 acceptable forms of ID (like driver's licenses, passports, voter registration cards, or utility bills) and allows two supplemental documents if primary ID isn't available. Voters without matching ID may face challenges, but the bill states it does not deny voting rights if challenges are resolved. This affects all voters casting ballots in person at New Jersey polling locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3773) would allow students receiving financial aid from New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund to qualify for SNAP benefits without meeting the standard 20-hour weekly work requirement. It directly affects low-income college students who receive Educational Opportunity Fund awards, which support attendance at higher education institutions. The bill requires the state to first seek federal approval for a waiver of the work requirement, with the Department of Human Services applying for this within 90 days of the law's effective date. Once approved, the state must implement the change and run a public awareness campaign to inform eligible students about the new SNAP eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryACR 62 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 annually, phased over five years (reaching $500 by 2027). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. The amendment would raise the deduction to $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027, with the deduction canceling taxes if the bill is lower than the deduction amount. This change requires voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" in New Jersey to address mental health support for public school students. The task force, composed of education and health officials plus appointed community experts, will study existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations on improving access to services, identifying student mental health needs, expanding counseling programs, and funding requirements, while examining successful models from other states. The task force must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, with copies sent to all school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make local government business administrators eligible for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) by allowing them to transfer from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS. Currently, business administrators are excluded from both PERS and the DCRP under existing law. The bill amends eligibility rules to include business administrators in the DCRP and establishes a formal process for transferring to PERS. This change would provide these employees with access to a different retirement system they previously could not join.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 5-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to coordinate START services - systemic, therapeutic, assessment, resource, and treatment services - for adults with both developmental disabilities and mental illness. It directly affects eligible adults who are at risk of behavioral health crises, aiming to prevent institutionalization by providing community-based support. Key mechanisms include establishing therapeutic respite homes with dedicated respite beds (for crisis prevention) and stabilization beds (for active crises), offering 24/7 crisis response services, and developing personalized crisis management plans. The program mandates DHS to create regional partnerships and designate at least one therapeutic respite home per state region (north, central, south), each with minimum bed requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's existing ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food containers, and plastic straws. It directly affects retailers (who can now sell these items without restriction) and consumers (who regain access to these products). The bill removes the prohibition established in P.L.2020, c.117, without introducing new requirements or funding mechanisms. This is a straightforward policy change eliminating specific product restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of their victim's home or workplace. It makes this a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Exceptions apply if the offender is in a correctional facility, receiving mental health treatment, or established their residence before the law takes effect. The sponsor states this closes a gap in Megan's Law by explicitly restricting proximity to victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey nursing homes to allow residents or their legal representatives to use electronic monitoring devices (such as cameras, audio devices, or video phones) in the resident's room upon request. Residents must pay for the device, submit a written request, and post a notice on their door; for shared rooms, they must obtain written consent from the other resident. Nursing homes must inform residents of this right, provide physical accommodations for the device (like mounting space and power), and cannot deny admission or remove residents for requesting monitoring. Tampering with these devices without consent is defined as a third-degree crime.