Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2188) requires birthing centers, federally qualified health centers, and healthcare providers offering prenatal or postpartum care (within 12 weeks of birth) to screen patients showing symptoms of high blood pressure during or after pregnancy for preeclampsia. Providers must use evidence-based tools from recognized medical groups, inform patients about symptoms and evaluation benefits, and discuss results - developing treatment plans if preeclampsia is confirmed. The law applies to people who haven’t been previously diagnosed with the condition in the current or recent pregnancy. It aims to standardize early detection and care for a serious postpartum health risk.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to survey all antenatal and prenatal care clinics across the state - including those that have closed or reduced services in the past two years - to evaluate maternity care access and quality. The survey will collect data on clinic availability, service gaps (particularly for low- and moderate-income pregnant women), and demographic information about patients, while excluding personal health details. The DOH must analyze the data to identify disparities in care based on income or location and develop strategies to improve access and quality. Within 18 months, the DOH will publish findings online and submit a report to the legislature with recommendations for policy action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to extend their early voting period for May municipal elections from three days to ten days. It applies only to nonpartisan municipalities that have already adopted early voting and would require local governments to pass an ordinance to implement the change. The extension would shift the start date of early voting from four days before the election to eleven days before, while maintaining the same end date.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers by prohibiting them from: (1) stopping or detaining people based solely on immigration status, (2) asking about immigration status except during specific criminal investigations, and (3) sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. The law clarifies that officers' primary duty is enforcing state criminal laws, not federal immigration law, and emphasizes that this does not prevent enforcing state criminal laws. The goal is to build trust in immigrant communities and ensure law enforcement resources focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Privacy Protection Act" to limit how government agencies and healthcare facilities collect and share certain personal information. It prohibits them from requesting details like immigration status, citizenship, social security numbers, or tax IDs unless necessary for specific public services, benefits, or healthcare delivery (with healthcare exceptions for patient safety). The bill requires written consent in the person's preferred language for sharing any collected data, detailing exactly what will be shared, why, and confirming consent is voluntary without retaliation. It also bans selling or sharing vehicle license plate data except under court orders, subpoenas, or with explicit written consent, and mandates government entities to update privacy policies within one year.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3114, the "Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act," requires police officers and other law enforcement personnel to reveal their faces and show official identification before detaining or arresting someone during public interactions. Officers must wear non-concealing uniforms, display a photo ID card, show a numbered badge, or verbally state their name and agency. Exceptions include undercover work, medical masks (with physician approval), smoke protection during emergencies, or when safety or an investigation is at risk. The law applies to all state, county, and municipal officers and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of human trafficking crimes in New Jersey and removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting these offenses, allowing authorities to pursue cases regardless of how much time has passed. It also creates specialized human trafficking response teams to coordinate investigations and support services, while increasing training and education requirements for law enforcement and related professionals. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1 million to the Commission on Human Trafficking to fund these initiatives and improve victim support systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance to evaluate and rate financial institutions based on how well they serve low- and moderate-income consumers through lending, investments, and services. The law mandates that banks and credit unions develop community benefits plans with measurable goals for providing financial products to underserved areas and defines specific activities that count as community development, such as affordable housing, small business financing, and climate resilience projects. Financial institutions must demonstrate they meet the needs of the communities where they operate, and the Department will use these ratings to encourage continued support for local economic needs while ensuring safe and sound banking practices.