Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Mom Project oral health program within New Jersey's Department of Health to provide dental care for low-income pregnant women and new mothers. The legislation defines eligible participants as residents earning less than 300% of the federal poverty level who are enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare, and it directs services to specific community oral health centers in medically underserved areas. A total of $3,000,000 is appropriated to fund the program, aiming to address the link between maternal periodontal disease and adverse birth outcomes such as preterm labor. The bill also includes findings on the health disparities affecting Black mothers in the state and the barriers that often prevent access to preventive dental care during pregnancy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state departments and agencies currently occupying offices at Riverview Plaza in Trenton to relocate to other suitable locations within the city. To facilitate this move, the legislation mandates that these agencies terminate their leases and actively cooperate with landlords to fill the resulting vacant spaces with new tenants as quickly as possible. Additionally, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is tasked with attracting private businesses to the vacated property by offering priority consideration for state business assistance programs and providing enhanced financial incentives. The bill also authorizes the Economic Development Authority to coordinate with various other state agencies to secure necessary resources for workforce development, transportation improvements, and housing expansion to support the redevelopment of the area.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community-led Birthing Justice and Equity Resource Initiative Program to address high maternal and infant mortality rates among Black women in New Jersey. It allocates $12 million to fund community-based programs that provide culturally congruent care through Black OBGYNs, midwives, doulas, and other medical professionals. The initiative specifically targets underserved urban areas like Atlantic City, Newark, Trenton, and Plainfield, aiming to improve health outcomes by supporting accessible and culturally sensitive birthing resources.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows courts to hold individual owners of limited liability companies and corporations personally responsible for unpaid housing, building, or health code fines when they act as residential landlords. To trigger this personal liability, the property must have at least three unpaid code violations that remain outstanding for a full year, and the individual must own at least 10% of the business or hold a leadership role. The law requires that proper legal notice be sent to the owners and their agents before enforcement can proceed, while also allowing individuals to argue they were not responsible if their involvement with the company was too brief to ensure payment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2127) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential tenants in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for a billing cycle. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who have opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. The law sets a clear cap: utilities cannot charge more for manual readings than the customer’s regular utility usage cost. This applies directly to renters in shared housing who choose manual metering, ensuring fees align with actual consumption rather than arbitrary charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Women's Menstrual Health Program within New Jersey's Department of Health to identify and assist patients experiencing symptoms related to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The program requires the Department to provide evidence-based education and training for healthcare providers, emergency staff, and the public on menstrual health screening and care. It also mandates the creation of online resources, including clinical guidelines for screening, referral, and treatment, and public educational materials about these conditions. The program directly affects individuals with symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS, aiming to improve access to appropriate care through standardized resources and provider education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's child abuse reporting hotline (maintained by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency) to provide callers with information about available resources for victims and their families. The hotline must now include details about community services such as counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, in-home support, foster care, and residential care. It directly affects families reporting or experiencing child abuse by connecting them to immediate support options. The policy change amends existing law to ensure victims and families are informed about these resources during hotline interactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DOE) to create and distribute annual guidelines for school districts and colleges. The guidelines must include research-backed materials on vaping's health risks (lung effects, mental health, comparison to smoking, dangers to pregnant people and children), age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns, decision-making tools to resist peer pressure, and promotional materials for students from middle school through college. Schools and colleges must use these guidelines to implement campus anti-vaping programs. The DOH and DOE will update the guidelines yearly and post them online with additional resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey healthcare providers to refer pregnant people or new mothers diagnosed with preeclampsia who later show endometriosis symptoms for evaluation. It mandates obstetric care providers to educate patients about endometriosis, explain evaluation benefits, and either conduct the evaluation or refer for one (with a written refusal option). The Commissioner of Health must develop patient education materials on endometriosis symptoms and warning signs, in consultation with advocacy groups. If diagnosed, providers must create a treatment plan to minimize endometriosis risks. The bill is pending in committee and would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Online Foreclosure Sale Act permits sheriffs and other officials to conduct foreclosure sales of real property online instead of in person. It requires counties to contract with vendors for these sales under specific terms, including a $1,000 fee cap per auction, mandatory public bid visibility during the sale, and identity verification for bidders. The bill mandates that vendors must maximize recovery for debtors and lenders, collect detailed information from successful bidders (including sanctions list checks), and handle funds securely. This change directly affects sheriffs, county vendors, and bidders by establishing a standardized online process for foreclosure sales.