Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's Secure Choice Savings Program, creating a new state-run retirement savings plan for workers. It establishes a Secure Choice Savings Board within the Treasury Department to design and operate the program, which would allow employees (18+ living in or working in NJ) at businesses without existing retirement plans to automatically enroll in payroll-deducted savings accounts. The program would use standard IRAs for investments, with employers (defined as those with fewer than 25 employees and no qualified retirement plan) facilitating payroll deductions. The bill was withdrawn in 2026 as it was superseded by an approved law (P.L.2025, c.379).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2452) establishes a constitutional right to access abortion care, including termination of pregnancy, and requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays). It repeals conflicting state regulations that previously restricted abortion coverage in health plans and state-funded programs. The bill appropriates $20 million to support reproductive health services and defines key terms like "medical abortion" and "practical support" (e.g., transportation, lodging for care access). It directly affects residents seeking abortion care, health insurers, and state agencies administering health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's major transportation and economic authorities - including the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA - to actively consider and prioritize hiring minority and women employees, as well as awarding contracts to minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Authorities must publish quarterly reports online detailing employee demographics (by gender, race, and ethnicity) and contractor diversity, including average salaries and contract values. The law defines "minority" broadly to include Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, and specifies that businesses owned by these groups must meet a 51% ownership threshold to qualify. If passed, these measures would directly affect hiring and contracting decisions across these agencies' operations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Congress to change federal law so people with disabilities do not lose Social Security benefits when they marry. Currently, marriage automatically terminates Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments for many disabled individuals, preventing couples from legally marrying without financial hardship. The resolution highlights that only Congress can amend these marriage-related rules, which are set by statute, and references the SSA’s 2024 acknowledgment of outdated policies. It is a procedural request, not a binding law, calling for legislative action to align disability benefits with marriage rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill reforms New Jersey Transit (NJT) governance by creating an independent Office of Customer Advocate to represent riders' interests. It requires the NJT board to include more diverse public members (with specific transit experience or expertise) and limits political party representation to no more than three members. The bill mandates detailed public reporting on capital projects and strengthens board independence from state transportation oversight. These changes directly affect NJT riders, board members, and the transparency of transit funding decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that only licensed nurses may use the title "Nurse" or related abbreviations like "R.N." or "L.P.N." in New Jersey. It prohibits unlicensed individuals or organizations from representing themselves as nurses or using these titles, including in professional communications or credentials. The law applies to all unlicensed people seeking to misrepresent their qualifications, reinforcing existing licensing requirements under New Jersey's nursing statutes. Violations carry penalties of $200 per offense, increasing to $500 for repeat violations. (Note: This bill amends prior laws rather than creating new licensing standards.)

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates for registered nurses, featuring the caduceus symbol and the words "Registered Nurse." It requires a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee on top of standard vehicle registration costs. The Motor Vehicle Commission must monitor plate production costs, and if expenses exceed the $50 fee for two consecutive years, the program may be discontinued. Implementation depends on state budget approval for initial costs, with the program becoming active 13 months after funding is secured.

Maddy summaryAJR 88 designates April of each year as "Autism Acceptance Month" in New Jersey. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with activities raising awareness about autism spectrum disorders. This resolution aligns New Jersey with the existing National Autism Acceptance Month in April and addresses the state's status as having the highest autism rate in the U.S., per CDC data. It focuses on awareness rather than new programs or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public community water systems (like municipal water utilities) to test water quality quarterly for secondary drinking water standards, including sampling from at least 10% of customer taps. It mandates that water system operators submit test results to the state environmental agency, local municipalities, and customers annually and quarterly. If tests exceed standards, operators must create a compliance plan within 30 days to fix issues within 30 days (or sooner if needed for health risks), followed by a maintenance plan to prevent future violations. These rules aim to ensure ongoing water quality for communities served by public water systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a paratransit brokerage program that consolidates Medicaid medical transportation and ADA paratransit services under a single management system. The program would use an online platform to let riders schedule trips, allow competing transportation providers (like NJ Transit and county agencies) to bid for service requests, and monitor service quality. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries needing non-emergency medical transport and people with disabilities relying on ADA paratransit services. The goal is to reduce costs and improve efficiency by streamlining how these essential transportation services are delivered across the state.