Rep. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all televisions in New Jersey State buildings open to the public or employees to display closed captioning for any programming that supports it. The law directly affects state agencies and their facilities, mandating that visual text be shown on screens to assist hearing-impaired individuals in understanding audio content. While the requirement applies to most state-owned or leased equipment, it excludes older televisions manufactured before the bill's effective date that are technically unable to support captioning. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage, ensuring that accessible viewing options are available in government spaces without delay.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies protections for patients and providers accessing or offering legally permitted reproductive and gender-affirming health care in New Jersey. It prohibits obstructing or intimidating individuals at facilities providing these services - including blocking entrances, causing reasonable fear of harm, or threatening violence. The law defines "legally protected health care activity" to cover all such services lawful in New Jersey, regardless of a patient’s location, and applies to both in-state residents and out-of-state patients seeking care here. It expands existing safeguards by explicitly banning physical obstructions and threats at facilities offering these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program by creating a new State Health Benefits Commission with 13 members. The commission will include existing state officials, representatives from local and higher education employers, and members appointed by various public employee unions, including specific seats for police and firefighters. A key provision is the addition of a non-voting expert member selected by the other commissioners to provide independent advice on health care plan design. The bill also establishes a new committee to assist with plan design and outlines how members will be appointed, serve terms, and manage conflicts of interest. Ultimately, the legislation aims to broaden representation and oversight in how the state manages health benefits for its employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance carriers from denying coverage for nonopioid pain medications in favor of opioids or requiring patients to try opioids first. It requires insurers to treat FDA-approved nonopioid drugs equally to opioids in formularies, meaning coverage restrictions, prior authorization, and cost-sharing tiers must be no more restrictive for nonopioid drugs. The law applies to state health benefit plans, school employee health programs, and Medicaid for acute pain treatment. It takes effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting insurers and patients covered by these plans.

Maddy summaryThe Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June each year as "LGBTQIA+ Pride Month" in New Jersey to recognize members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and nonbinary communities. The legislation formally establishes this observance in state law and requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to participate in related activities. The bill also includes a statement explaining the context for the legislation, noting recent federal actions that have paused certain diversity-related observances and removed inclusive language from government resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 964) creates a 15-member "Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness Study Commission" to analyze how New Jersey nursing homes respond to public health emergencies. The commission will examine nursing home environments, emergency policies, staffing levels, and funding needs during crises, and make recommendations to improve resident safety. It includes state health and human services officials, nursing home industry representatives (appointed by legislative leaders), and family members of residents (appointed by the Governor). The commission must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of its first meeting and then expire. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes, focusing on future recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a statewide stockpile of essential medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies to be managed by New Jersey's Department of Health and State Office of Emergency Management. The stockpile, funded by state appropriations, will be used during emergencies like natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or public health crises. Key provisions require the state to establish distribution guidelines prioritizing healthcare providers in rural and medically underserved areas, with supplies managed through contracts that may include vendor-managed "virtually sequestered" inventories to prevent expiration. The bill mandates demand planning to determine stockpile contents and quantities based on emergency scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryAJR 139 designates September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" and the last full week of September as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey. This resolution directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing annual periods to increase public awareness about deaf culture, communication needs, and challenges faced by the estimated 850,000 residents with hearing loss in the state. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe these designations with appropriate activities. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote education about deaf issues, including sign language and accessibility barriers.