Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians to provide clear, written disclosures to pet owners before rabies testing on dead domestic companion animals. It mandates specific information about testing reasons, protocols for handling and disposing of the animal's body (including head removal), and prohibits misrepresentation using euphemisms. Veterinarians must also distribute a pamphlet and display a poster about rabies testing protocols to pet owners at the time of rabies vaccination. Additionally, the bill establishes an optional, trauma-informed mental health training program for veterinarians, developed in consultation with state health agencies. These provisions directly affect veterinarians, pet owners, and the Departments of Health and Consumer Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers and insurance companies to obtain written consent before sharing a patient's medical information about reproductive health care services (including pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care). Patients must be informed of their right to withhold consent before receiving services or when disclosing previous reproductive health information. Exceptions allowing disclosure without consent include medical emergencies, legal requirements, court orders, and investigations into abuse or complaints. Violations could result in $1,000 per violation in damages plus legal fees, while explicitly maintaining existing federal HIPAA protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections for patients and healthcare providers accessing or providing reproductive and gender-affirming health care services in New Jersey. It creates a new crime for interfering with these services (including physical obstruction, intimidation, or damaging property), with penalties ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. The bill also prevents New Jersey from extraditing people for legally protected health care activities, prohibits licensing boards from penalizing providers for services that are legal in New Jersey but illegal in other states, and protects patient privacy related to these services. It specifically ensures that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no independent legal rights under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide free menstrual products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all public women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms, and at least one men's restroom in every campus building - including lecture halls, residence halls, libraries, and dining facilities. It mandates a variety of products (regular to super-plus, allergy-friendly options) and requires educational materials about menstrual health and disposal. The state will cover all costs for these products, with institutions reimbursed annually through a documentation process. The bill directly affects students and staff at New Jersey’s public higher education institutions, ensuring access to essential hygiene products across all campus facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the weekly cap for personal care assistant (PCA) services under New Jersey Medicaid from 40 to 91 hours for beneficiaries clinically eligible for nursing facility-level care. The Department of Human Services must approve up to 91 hours per week as medically necessary, based on a beneficiary’s written care plan and delivered in their home or other settings under a nurse’s supervision. It requires the department to update its assessment tool for PCA services to reflect this change. The policy directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries needing high-level care who wish to remain in their homes, rather than moving to institutional settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. The allowance is intended for residents to spend on discretionary items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The new amount includes an automatic annual increase tied to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment starting the year after enactment. It also ensures SSI recipients in these facilities receive the same $140 monthly allowance as Medicaid recipients, with the state covering the difference if federal supplements remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act provides tax credits to businesses that fund pre-employment training programs with educational institutions or nonprofits. Businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the financial assistance they provide for approved programs that offer at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage to low- and moderate-income individuals. These programs must include training in basic skills, communication, critical thinking, and job readiness. The bill appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to implement the program and requires a two-year evaluation of its effectiveness, excluding construction businesses from participation.

Maddy summaryAJR 187 designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" in New Jersey to honor baseball legend Josh Gibson and the Negro Leagues. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through programs and activities. It recognizes Gibson's career achievements, including his recent integration into MLB records as the all-time leader in batting average and slugging percentage, and commemorates his 1936 home run at Belmar, New Jersey. The bill has no binding effect beyond the symbolic recognition and annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 144) urges Major League Baseball to establish an annual "Negro Leagues Day" on May 2, commemorating the first game of the Negro National League in 1920. It highlights the historical significance of the Negro Leagues (1920-1960), their role in breaking racial barriers in baseball, and New Jersey's connections to teams like the Newark Eagles. The resolution requests MLB adopt this observance and directs copies to MLB's commissioner, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. It does not create new law or impose requirements on MLB.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.