Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryNew Jersey A602 establishes the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" within the Department of State to study and develop recommendations for addressing historical and ongoing racial disparities stemming from slavery and systemic discrimination. The 11-member task force, appointed with representation from the Governor, legislative leadership, and civil rights organizations, will examine New Jersey's role in slavery, its legacy of racial discrimination, and potential remedies over a 24-month period. The task force must hold at least six public meetings across the state and issue an interim report within 12 months and a final report with recommendations within 24 months. This legislation directly affects Black communities in New Jersey who face significant racial disparities in housing, wealth, education, and criminal justice. The task force's work will inform potential policy changes and reparative measures to address these systemic issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies and health plans to cover medical expenses for children and teens under 18 with diagnosed complex medical needs. It mandates coverage for necessary medical services, equipment, prescriptions, and nursing care when a licensed doctor deems it medically required, and prohibits insurers from demanding pre-approvals or precertifications for these covered services. Insurers must approve such coverage within three business days of receiving a doctor's letter confirming medical necessity. The bill defines "complex medical needs" as conditions that are emergent, life-threatening, substantially disabling, require specialized care, or involve high-risk treatments. This applies to all health plans issued or purchased in New Jersey, including state employee and school employee programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to identify and regularly post on its website job openings with minimal barriers to entry for people returning to work after incarceration. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals who face challenges like employment stigma and lack of educational opportunities. The key mechanism is DOLWD’s ongoing duty to list available positions that don’t require extensive experience, high education, or have automatic criminal record disqualifications. The goal is to improve reentry success by connecting these job seekers with accessible employment options.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's nursing home reporting requirements, requiring more detailed financial disclosures and ownership structure information. Nursing homes, applicants for ownership transfers, and third-party entities managing nursing homes must now provide audited consolidated financial statements and organizational charts showing parent companies, subsidiaries, and related parties providing services valued at $200,000 or more annually. The bill lowers the threshold for disclosing ownership interests from 10% to 5% and mandates that nursing homes post this information on their websites. It also removes the previous requirement for nursing homes to post Medicare/Medicaid cost reports, instead requiring them to post the new financial statements.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will coordinate key services - including refugee resettlement, health screenings, and legal aid for low-income New Americans - and provide training to other state agencies on culturally responsive outreach. It requires the office to use data solely for integration efforts (like language access planning) and prohibits sharing data with immigration enforcement. The bill formalizes an existing office created by executive order in 2019, ensuring dedicated staffing and resources for New American communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2040) requires New Jersey's Human Services Commissioner to request that the federal USDA allow SNAP (food stamp) benefits to cover delivery fees for online grocery orders. It directly affects low-income households in New Jersey who receive SNAP benefits and shop online through authorized retailers like Amazon, Walmart, ShopRite, and The Fresh Grocers. The key provision changes how SNAP funds can be used - permitting them to pay delivery charges for SNAP-eligible groceries, which was previously prohibited under federal rules. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2023, c.236) after passing both legislative chambers unanimously.