Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2260 strengthens legal protections for patients and providers accessing or delivering reproductive and gender-affirming health care services within the state. The bill explicitly defines "legally protected health care activities" to include seeking, providing, or assisting with these services (such as abortion, contraception, or gender-affirming care), regardless of a patient's location. It prohibits obstruction, intimidation, or physical barriers at facilities offering these services and grants licensing boards authority to impose civil penalties for violations. This directly affects patients traveling to New Jersey for care (not available in their home states) and healthcare providers operating in these fields. The law codifies existing protections to prevent harassment or violence against these services, following increased threats and protests nationwide after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3237) requires all televisions in New Jersey state-owned or leased buildings - such as courthouses or government offices - that are accessible to the public or state employees to display closed captioning for any programming that offers it. It defines "closed captioning" as the on-screen display of audio text and applies to all state agencies, including departments and commissions. The requirement does not apply to televisions manufactured before the bill’s effective date that cannot support closed captioning. The goal is to improve accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing in public-facing state building environments.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4085 prohibits businesses from using consumers' personal data to set prices for goods or services. It specifically bans pricing strategies that vary prices based on biometric data, genetic information, or protected class data (like race, gender, or disability) through methods such as personalized algorithmic pricing or surveillance pricing. The law applies to all business entities selling merchandise or services within New Jersey and imposes fines up to $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential penalties like cease-and-desist orders. Businesses may still offer standard discounts, promotions, or loyalty programs, which are explicitly exempted from the ban.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3497 prohibits landlords from using software or services that facilitate secret price coordination to restrict competition in rental housing. The bill makes it illegal for landlords to subscribe to "coordinators" (like property management software that analyzes real-time pricing data), for coordinators to enable price-fixing agreements, or for multiple landlords to engage in "consciously parallel pricing coordination." It directly affects rental property owners using such tools, excluding single landlords managing multiple properties under their control or legitimate multiple listing services. The law enforces these rules under New Jersey's Antitrust Act, aiming to curb software-driven rent hikes that contributed to a 35% median rent increase for three-bedroom units since 2021.
Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey," is a commemorative resolution naming a state initiative after civil rights leader John Lewis. It appropriates $2.5 million but does not establish new voting procedures or protections. The bill primarily includes recognition language affirming New Jersey’s commitment to voting rights for protected classes and defines terms like "covered entity" for future reference, though no specific implementation mechanisms are detailed. As it is pending technical review and lacks concrete policy changes, it functions as a symbolic gesture rather than a substantive legislative action.
Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount of net operating loss deductions that corporations in New Jersey can claim under the corporation business tax to a maximum of $1 million per tax period. It applies to privilege periods ending between July 31, 2026, and July 31, 2030, affecting approximately 600 taxpayers. If a company cannot use its full deduction due to this cap, the unused portion can be carried forward for an additional six tax periods or used to reduce taxable income by up to 75% in later periods ending between 2030 and 2032. The legislation also waives interest and penalties on estimated tax payments made between late 2025 and early 2027 that result from these new limits.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program within the Department of Children and Families to support student mental health. It requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools to develop specific mental health support programs that connect students with high behavioral health needs to the new SPARK program navigator. The SPARK program, operated by the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, will provide same-day psychiatric consultations, referrals to community providers, and assistance with school re-entry after a mental health crisis. Access to these services is limited to students in kindergarten through grade 12 and requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools have designated staff or formal agreements with external providers to ensure ongoing counseling support for their students.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new mental health initiative called the School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program within the Department of Children and Families to support students in New Jersey schools. It requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects to develop specific mental health support programs that connect students with high behavioral health needs to the new SPARK program navigator. The program will provide same-day psychiatric consultations, referrals to community care, and assistance with returning to school after a mental health crisis, all of which require written parental consent. Additionally, the legislation mandates that schools establish clear guidelines for privacy, care coordination, and transition plans to ensure consistent support across the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to improve access to mental health care for children and their families. It requires the department to expand services through the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, which includes adding telehealth options, providing real-time psychiatric support to pediatric doctors, and offering better training and referral systems. The legislation also mandates greater transparency by setting specific performance goals for service providers, making contract results public, and launching a public awareness campaign to help families find care. Additionally, the bill establishes a new requirement for hospitals and clinics to report standardized data on how often children seek psychiatric or behavioral health services.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that health insurance plans and Medicaid cover medically necessary tests and FDA-approved treatments designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The law applies to hospital service, medical service, and health service corporation contracts, as well as individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed in the state. A key provision ensures that these specific Alzheimer's treatments are not subject to step therapy requirements, meaning patients can access them without needing to try other medications first. Additionally, the coverage must be provided at the same level as benefits for other medical conditions.