Asm. Tennille McCoy

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program (the "MOM Project") under New Jersey's Department of Health to improve oral health access for low-income pregnant women and new mothers who do not qualify for Medicaid. It directly affects eligible mothers (pregnant, low-income, not enrolled in Medicaid) by providing free oral health education (at least three hours covering hygiene, nutrition, and disease links) followed by one year of dental treatment for the mother and child, including cleanings, cavity care, and infant dental visits. The program requires nonprofit health groups to conduct outreach, collect health data, and coordinate with community dental centers to deliver services, with $4.15 million appropriated from the General Fund for administration, education, treatment, and data analysis. The pilot aims to test a sustainable model for integrating oral health services into Medicaid, using data to evaluate outcomes and inform future policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years, restoring approximately $331 million in reduced aid payments that municipalities received during fiscal years 2009-2011. In fiscal year 2023, municipalities will receive 50% of the difference between their 2008 and 2012 aid distributions, with full restoration beginning in 2024. Municipalities must subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy calculations and cannot anticipate this aid when creating annual budgets. The bill requires municipalities to amend their budgets to properly reflect the total aid amount, ensuring the aid directly reduces the amount they need to raise through property taxes.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2955 "Patient Protection Act" requires healthcare providers to give patients clear, written information before transferring them to out-of-state facilities or referring them to out-of-state providers. This applies to all patients (or their representatives if they lack capacity) and mandates disclosure of their right to choose in-state care, the clinical reason for the transfer/referral, availability of comparable in-state services, and specific details for trauma/stroke/cardiac cases. Providers must also notify the patient's insurance plan about coverage and estimated out-of-pocket costs for out-of-state care. Healthcare facilities and professionals must report quarterly transfers and referrals to the state Department of Health, which will post annual data on transfers, referrals, and complaints. Pediatric care is exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new rule of evidence that would allow statements reporting sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as evidence, even though they would normally be considered hearsay. The statement must have been made spontaneously within a reasonable time after the incident to someone the victim would typically turn to for support. This evidence would be admissible to assess the complainant's credibility, counter the idea that delay means the report was fabricated, and help explain the investigative process. It would apply to both criminal and civil cases involving these allegations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3168 bill would allow the state to issue special "Woman Veteran" license plates for female veterans who provide proof of service (such as a DD-214 form). Applicants would pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee, with excess revenue (after covering production costs) deposited into a dedicated fund supporting female veteran programs, including housing assistance for homeless women. The program requires private funding (up to $25,000) to cover initial costs and needs at least 500 completed applications before plates are produced. If the average cost per plate exceeds $50 for two consecutive years, the program could be discontinued.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes developers to convert vacant office parks (50,000+ sq ft, 40% vacancy) and retail centers (15,000+ sq ft, 40% vacancy) in designated suburban areas into mixed-use developments without needing local zoning variances. It creates a two-year window for applications, requiring projects to reuse existing building footprints (or enhance stormwater management/tree canopy if expanding) and include 20% affordable housing units. The bill also mandates improved multimodal transportation access and directs the Department of Community Affairs to inventory these properties and report annually. It directly affects property owners and developers seeking to repurpose underutilized suburban sites while maintaining local control over parking, design, and other standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to apply for federal waivers to cover menstrual hygiene products (like tampons, pads, and cups) under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP (food stamps), and WIC programs. If the federal government denies the waiver, DHS must establish a state-funded benefit using $2 million from the General Fund, with eligibility determined through a household certification process for minors. The law mandates an educational campaign to inform program participants about the new benefit and applies to anyone enrolled in these specific public assistance programs who menstruates. The $2 million appropriation is contingent solely on federal denial of the waiver request.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to collect data on Haitian migrants in the state, regardless of their immigration status. It directs the Commissioner to gather this information from federal, state, local governments, and non-profit organizations to better understand the population needing assistance. The bill aims to help the state support Haitian migrants who have fled political instability and financial hardship, including those who arrived unannounced or without family support. The data collection will inform how the state can more efficiently provide aid to this community.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's refundable tax credit for homestead property taxes from $50 to $200 annually. It directly affects homeowners and tenants who pay property taxes or rent that includes property taxes on their primary residence (homestead). The key change replaces the current $50 credit amount with $200 in the tax code, allowing eligible taxpayers to receive a larger refund instead of claiming a property tax deduction. The credit applies to residents aged 65+ or those qualifying as blind/disabled under state tax rules, and married couples filing separately each receive half the credit.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A925 would allow voters to register and vote on election day at polling places or during early voting by completing an affirmation statement and providing identification. Currently, voters must register at least 21 days before an election, but this bill would enable those who missed the deadline to register and cast a provisional ballot. Voters registering on election day would have 48 hours after the election to verify their identity through the Motor Vehicle Commission database or by providing acceptable identification, ensuring their ballot is counted if valid. This change would directly affect voters who meet eligibility requirements but missed the standard registration deadline.