Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Taxation to audit out-of-state contractors who have state or private contracts. It directly affects contractors with principal offices outside New Jersey who provide goods or services to state agencies, requiring audits to verify: (1) reasonable allocation of administrative expenses, (2) sound internal financial controls, and (3) accuracy of annual financial reports. The Division must share audit results with the contracting agency and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, while also establishing a confidential hotline for reporting issues. The law aims to ensure these contractors can properly manage state-funded contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specific state facilities (like psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers) in New Jersey. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios, such as 1 nurse for every 5 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse for every 2 patients in critical care units. The law aims to improve patient safety and reduce errors by ensuring adequate nursing coverage based on patient acuity, while requiring facilities to use acuity-based staffing systems to adjust for changing patient needs. These requirements apply to all direct-care registered nurses providing patient services, not administrative staff.

Maddy summaryACR 66 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the annual income limit for New Jersey residents to qualify for a property tax deduction. It directly affects seniors (65+ years) and permanently disabled residents who own or rent housing in the state. The bill would raise the current income cap from $10,000 to $15,000 per year for eligibility, effective in 2023. This change updates a limit that has remained unchanged since 1983, when it increased from $9,000 to $10,000.

Maddy summaryBill A 1014 establishes a 11-member "Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will develop public awareness campaigns about early kidney disease detection, examine racial disparities in kidney care access and outcomes, and recommend statewide screening and treatment plans. It includes legislative leaders, health officials, and public members such as a nephrologist, dialysis center representative, and a patient with kidney disease (Stages 2-4). The task force must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within two years, after which it will dissolve. This bill directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly those in communities disproportionately impacted by kidney disease, including Black and Hispanic populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, now enacted as P.L.2025, c.202, prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS (forever chemicals) to most cosmetics sold in New Jersey starting two years after its effective date. It requires cookware manufacturers containing PFAS to notify consumers about their presence. The law directly affects cosmetics and cookware manufacturers, while protecting residents by reducing exposure to PFAS linked to health risks. Key mechanisms include specific product bans, disclosure requirements, and funding for PFAS research and remediation programs. The bill does not apply to trace PFAS from manufacturing impurities or products with PFAS only in internal components.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey from criminal charges to civil fines. It affects minors who gamble at casinos (under age 21), casino employees/licensees who allow underage gambling, and guardians who permit minors under their care to gamble. The bill imposes tiered civil penalties: up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Department of Human Services, specifically supporting the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires all schools and child care centers to test drinking water for lead at every outlet used for drinking or food preparation every two years. If lead levels exceed five parts per billion, schools must immediately stop using affected outlets, provide safe water alternatives, and notify parents, staff, and the Department of Education in writing. The bill also mandates installing and maintaining NSF/ANSI-certified filters at all drinking fountains and faucets used for drinking or food prep, with filters replaced per manufacturer guidelines. These requirements aim to prevent lead exposure for students, staff, and children in these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1804) requires courts to refer certain defendants to mental health and substance abuse evaluations as part of pretrial release decisions. It directly affects eligible defendants who are being considered for release before trial but have potential mental health or substance use needs. The key provision mandates that courts must provide these referrals when determining release conditions, ensuring defendants have access to treatment as part of their pretrial supervision. The bill amends existing pretrial release laws (P.L.2014, c.31) to integrate these evaluations into the court's decision-making process. This policy change focuses on connecting defendants with treatment resources while maintaining court safety and appearance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $3.5 million supplemental appropriation to fund the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program for adult students in career and technical education. It directly affects eligible adult students enrolled in county vocational school programs (minimum four months) who are New Jersey residents, have household incomes between $0-$65,000, and have applied for all other available grants/scholarships. The funding covers remaining tuition and approved fees after other state, federal, or institutional aid is applied, acting as "last-dollar" support. Eligibility requires good academic standing, enrollment in programs leading to industry certifications or licenses, and meeting residency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.