Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to include instruction about the history and contributions of Latino and Hispanic Americans in Social Studies and English Language Arts curricula for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It mandates that school boards integrate this content as part of their existing implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The Commissioner of Education must provide sample lesson resources and activities to support schools, developed with input from the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a program to incentivize the development of transmission-scale energy storage systems with a minimum capacity of 5 megawatts. The program will solicit applications for projects totaling at least 500 megawatts of capacity, with projects needing commercial operation by December 2030 and interconnection to the PJM grid. The BPU will provide incentive awards totaling at least $60 million annually for 15 years, based on a scoring system that evaluates price, project maturity, and community benefits. The program is designed to help New Jersey meet its 2030 energy storage target of 2,000 megawatts, with the BPU required to report on progress one year after the initial procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3992) modifies New Jersey’s requirements for capital reserve funding plans used by condominium and cooperative associations managing common interest communities. It mandates that 30-year funding plans must allow reserve funds to reach exactly zero dollars (not fall below) during the planning period, while permitting additional plans with higher minimum balances or escalating contributions. Associations must now ensure reserve studies are reviewed by licensed professionals every five years, shifting this responsibility from building owners to the associations themselves. The bill also clarifies that "adequate" funding means reserves sufficient to prevent the fund balance from dropping below zero, applying to associations with over $25,000 in common area assets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers of first responders (law enforcement officers and paid firefighters) to cover workers' compensation for up to 12 hours of confidential mental health counseling after a "critical incident," such as witnessing violence, serious injury, or trauma during duty. Additional up to 24 hours of counseling may be covered if a mental health professional deems it necessary for the responder's well-being. The law also mandates confidentiality for mental health communications between first responders and peer support teams or resiliency program officers, with limited exceptions if a responder poses a risk to themselves or others. All counseling must be completed within one year of the first session and cannot require use of the responder's accrued paid leave.

Maddy summarySJR 154 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection's capacity market pricing model to determine if it ensures reliable electricity at the lowest cost, requiring a report within 12 months. It also mandates the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, urge PJM to implement market reforms protecting ratepayers from rising prices, and accelerate reviews of new power generation projects. The resolution addresses concerns about increasing electricity costs for New Jersey customers, linked to PJM's current pricing structure and delays in new energy resources entering the grid. This action aims to align PJM's operations with New Jersey's energy affordability goals under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3974 prohibits substance use disorder treatment providers from using deceptive marketing practices. The bill requires all advertising to include accurate, plain-language details about services, locations, and contact information (including phone numbers and addresses), and bans false claims about network status, geographic location, or affiliations with other providers without written consent. Violations carry civil penalties up to $20,000 per incident, and affected individuals may sue for triple damages plus attorney fees. This directly affects licensed treatment facilities, certified providers, and recovery residences offering substance use disorder services within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for illegal payments related to patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities. It makes such payments a third-degree crime (up from fourth-degree) with a mandatory $50,000 fine, affecting healthcare providers, facilities, non-profits, and recovery residences. The law prohibits payments that vary based on patient volume, treatment duration, or insurance benefits, but allows flat fees not tied to these factors. It clarifies that referrals to certified treatment facilities or recovery residences (sober living homes) must not involve commission-based payments.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program governance by expanding the State Health Benefits Commission to 11 members and eliminating the previous Plan Design Committee. It requires the program to offer exactly five health plans for employees and non-Medicare-eligible retirees, including a new "NJ Gold" plan that doesn't require salary-based employee contributions. The bill establishes an escalator system to adjust employee contribution rates based on premium cost trends, increasing rates if premiums rise significantly above inflation and decreasing them if premiums fall. Additionally, it mandates that local government employers must decide within one year whether to join the SHBP, with a two-year commitment if they choose to participate.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for members and retirees of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), and State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows for a two-year filing period after the bill's effective date (with potential two-year extensions) and replaces the requirement for a pre-employment physical examination with evidence of medical examinations that failed to disclose qualifying health conditions. The bill also permits retirees previously denied due to late filing to petition for reconsideration or resubmit their eligibility forms. Retirement systems must notify all affected members within 60 days of enactment about these provisions using clear language explaining filing requirements and time limits.