Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey death certificates to list the specific drug responsible for a drug overdose death when that information is available. It amends existing death certificate requirements to mandate this detail for overdose cases, ensuring public health officials can track drug-related fatalities more accurately. The change applies only to deaths classified as drug overdoses and does not affect other information on death certificates. This policy update aims to improve data collection for public health responses without altering standard death certification procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county correctional facilities to provide specific reentry assistance to inmates who have been sentenced to incarceration and denied bail under the state's bail reform law, at least 10 days before release. The assistance includes documents like criminal history records (with expungement information), birth certificates (if born in NJ), medical records, and financial accounting of fines, restitution, and child support obligations. It also provides information on voting rights, employment/vocational programs, child support services, and mandates a non-driver ID card along with Social Security card assistance. This aims to address immediate barriers to reintegration, such as lack of identification, unresolved debts, and limited access to support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific THC potency limits for cannabis products sold in New Jersey. It prohibits cannabis retailers from selling cannabis flower with more than 30% THC concentration or solid and liquid cannabis concentrates with more than 60% THC concentration. These limits apply to all cannabis establishments operating under New Jersey's cannabis regulations. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission must adopt rules implementing these limits as part of broader industry safety standards. These changes set clear, measurable safety standards for cannabis products sold in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including private insurers, state employee programs, and school employee plans - to cover mental health treatment for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts specifically for women during the one-year postpartum period (after childbirth). It defines "suicidal ideation" as thinking about or planning suicide, and "attempted suicide" as self-harming behavior intended to cause harm or death. The law applies immediately to all existing and new health benefit plans in the state, closing a gap where such coverage was not mandated. It directly affects postpartum women by ensuring insurance coverage for these critical mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1140) expands New Jersey's Military Dependents Scholarship program to include students pursuing approved vocational or technical training, in addition to traditional college programs. It also extends eligibility to dependents of military members who served in Operation Freedom's Sentinel (Afghanistan, 2015-2021) and Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq/Syria, 2014-present), updating the qualifying military operations list. The bill increases the eligibility period for spouses or dependents from 15 to 21 years after the service member's death, "Missing in Action" status, or disability certification. This change applies to the existing scholarship program established under P.L.2015, c.117, which provides financial aid for dependents of New Jersey residents who lost their lives or were permanently disabled during specified military operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent unit within New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management to specifically support residents with access and functional needs during disasters. It directly affects people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, limited transportation access, or limited financial resources for disaster preparedness and recovery. The unit will assess needs before, during, and after emergencies; identify statewide resources; ensure access to those resources; and coordinate with local emergency offices to implement best practices across North, Central, and South Jersey. The unit will consist of one full-time supervisor and three full-time planners to serve these populations statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide all basic vehicle and licensing services - such as license renewals, address changes, and registration - in person at every MVC agency location, without requiring customers to complete these transactions online. It prohibits the MVC from mandating online-only service for these routine transactions and ensures walk-in customers can access services without appointments. Additionally, the bill mandates a permanent online scheduling system for commercial driver's license tests (written, skills, and endorsements), making these tests available at all MVC locations. The policy directly affects all New Jersey residents using MVC services for standard vehicle and license needs, while specifically addressing commercial driver testing procedures.

Maddy summaryAJR 71 is a New Jersey joint resolution urging Congress to pass the federal "National Apprenticeship Act of 2021" (H.R. 447). The resolution highlights that this bill would provide over $3.5 billion in federal funding over five years to expand registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs), which offer structured job training with industry standards and lead to nationally recognized certifications. It notes that RAPs currently help apprentices secure jobs with average salaries around $70,000 and are supported by bipartisan congressional efforts. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests Congress to enact H.R. 447 to strengthen apprenticeship access nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state entities (like agencies and departments) to submit a reforestation plan to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before any deforestation project, regardless of size. The plan must ensure "no net loss" of forested areas by replanting trees using a scientific Tree Replacement Factor (based on 204 trees per acre) and following specific planting guidelines, such as using native species and maintaining species diversity. If on-site replanting isn't feasible, trees must be planted first within the same municipality, then within five miles, or finally off-site. This eliminates the current one-half acre size threshold, applying the requirement to all deforestation projects to better protect New Jersey's forest resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey colleges and universities to let final-year graduate students in mental health care programs (like psychiatry, psychology, or social work) graduate early or start clinical residencies early during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. To qualify, students must have completed all required coursework, and institutions must assign a staff mentor to guide them during clinical placements. It aims to address mental health workforce shortages amplified by the pandemic by accelerating the entry of trained professionals into the field. The measure applies only to institutions that choose to implement it, with no requirement for mandatory participation.