Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a pest inspection before demolishing a building if another structure is within 10 feet on a different property. It mandates certification from a health officer or certified pesticide applicator confirming no severe pest infestation (rats, mice, roaches, or other designated pests) exists that could spread to nearby buildings. The inspection must occur within two months of the demolition permit application, and the applicant bears all costs for inspection and any necessary pest mitigation. Exceptions apply for structurally unsafe buildings posing immediate collapse risks or when no adjacent buildings exist within 10 feet.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity charge to customers through multiple prominent methods: on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website (if applicable). It directly affects restaurants that impose mandatory service charges, making failure to disclose a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, and triple damages for affected patrons. The law takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5852) would require New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to regulate scrap metal facilities as recycling centers rather than treating them as exempt from recycling center regulations. Scrap metal facility owners and operators would need to register with the DEP within one year of the bill's effective date, pay a $700 registration fee, and renew annually. Facilities operating shredders would require individual recycling center permits and must implement specific safety measures including fire prevention systems, stormwater controls, and dust management. The DEP would have 18 months to establish a regulatory program for these facilities, including hiring additional staff and requesting necessary funding in its annual budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5907) prohibits New Jersey law enforcement agencies and users of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies for investigations targeting legal reproductive health services in New Jersey. It specifically bans sharing such data to pursue civil or criminal liability related to services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion that are lawful in New Jersey. The bill requires out-of-state agencies to provide written confirmation they won’t use the data for these investigations before sharing is permitted. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense or $5,000 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid programs to cover prescription drugs for specific serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It defines "serious mental illness" to include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders listed in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The legislation applies to all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, mandating coverage for these medications without utilization management barriers that often delay treatment. This would directly affect individuals with these mental health conditions who currently face insurance hurdles to accessing necessary medications.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4692 bill establishes new requirements for state and local governments when awarding contracts or grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Key provisions include setting a 15% cap on indirect costs (like overhead), creating a centralized database for nonprofits to submit required documents (such as tax-exempt status and financial records), and mandating annual contract adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. The bill also requires payments within 30 days (with 1% interest for delays), automatically extends contracts by three months if renewal isn't completed within 10 days, and prohibits government agencies from unilaterally changing contract terms. These changes directly affect nonprofits receiving state or local government contracts and aim to streamline processes while ensuring fair compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collect and review electricity load-forecasting data from utilities and load-serving entities (non-utility electricity providers). It mandates the BPU to analyze this data - including contracts and commitments affecting future demand - and coordinate with PJM (the regional grid operator) to ensure forecasts are accurate, non-duplicative, and incorporated into regional planning. The BPU must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2026, summarizing collected data, analysis, and coordination efforts. The goal is to prevent costly overbuilding or underbuilding of grid infrastructure by improving forecasting transparency for consumers and system reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $55 million from existing constitutionally dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds will finance specific capital projects for state parks and recreation areas, including boating access facilities, campground improvements, habitat enhancements, bridge and building repairs, and historic structure maintenance. The allocation details $55 million across 16 categories, such as $13.2 million for recreational development and $10 million for health/safety projects. These projects directly affect state park infrastructure and public access to New Jersey's conservation lands managed by the DEP.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows a request for guardianship to be filed up to six months before a minor turns 18, if the minor is expected to need a legal guardian at age 18. The guardianship arrangement would only become effective on the minor's 18th birthday, preventing gaps in legal protection during the transition to adulthood. It also requires that such requests cannot be withdrawn without proof the minor is deceased or has decision-making capacity, which can be shown through testimony rather than medical evidence. This change aims to streamline the process for minors who require ongoing guardianship support after turning 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.