Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows high school juniors and seniors (grades 11-12) to miss up to three school days per year for college visits, tours of technical schools, or military recruitment activities without penalty. Absences for military enlistment prep - like testing, medical evaluations, or interviews - are specifically designated as excused. Schools cannot list these absences on student transcripts, job applications, or attendance records, and they won’t affect a student’s perfect attendance status. The policy aims to support college and career pathway exploration while ensuring no academic or administrative disadvantage for participating students.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain specific roadways surrounding the State Capitol complex in Trenton, including sections of West State Street, West Lafayette Street, Barrack Street, and Memorial Drive. The required maintenance covers road paving and snow plowing. The DOT may consult or contract with other agencies, counties, or municipalities responsible for adjacent road sections to fulfill this duty. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to stop funding substance use disorder treatment and housing support services for General Assistance beneficiaries as soon as they leave those services. It mandates that funding automatically ceases on the date a beneficiary is discharged from a provider or no longer receives services. The commissioner can verify service end dates and demand repayment for any funds paid after services ended. This directly affects county welfare agencies, providers of these support services, and General Assistance recipients who receive housing or substance use treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new residential substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Jersey to undergo stricter licensing checks before opening. It mandates that applicants submit independent financial audits and complete criminal background checks for all owners and principals (those with 5%+ ownership), with licenses potentially denied for financial irregularities or certain convictions. The Department of Health must also conduct unannounced facility inspections and establish additional licensing standards. The bill applies directly to facilities seeking or holding licenses for residential substance use treatment services. It is currently pending in the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4054) transfers specific school district employees from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). It applies to school employees hired between November 2, 2008, and May 21, 2010, who work over 20 hours weekly but were previously ineligible for PERS due to work-hour rules. The bill requires their enrollment in PERS within 180 days of enactment, granting service credit for benefits eligibility (like health coverage) but not for calculating pension amounts. The state will cover the one-time cost of transferring funds via IRS-compliant trustee-to-trustee transfers, with unfunded liability amortized over 20 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification system for peer recovery specialists in New Jersey, who provide support to individuals with substance use or mental health challenges based on their personal lived experience. To practice, individuals must meet standards set by the Division of Consumer Affairs, including passing a background check, and cannot represent themselves as certified without approval. The law exempts existing support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous), clergy, students in training, and licensed professionals (such as therapists) who don’t claim certification. It also prohibits conflicts of interest, like exploiting peer relationships for personal gain. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and Medicaid from denying coverage for maintenance medications treating chronic conditions when a person's health plan or pharmacy provider changes. It requires coverage continuity if a patient was taking the medication before the plan change and the new plan covers that specific drug class. The law applies to state employees, school staff, and Medicaid recipients who rely on ongoing medication for conditions like diabetes or hypertension. It ensures these individuals won't lose access to essential medications due solely to administrative shifts in their health coverage plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to partner with a nonprofit to create a free, public online registry of tutors and tutoring organizations. It allows eligible participants - including certified teachers, retired educators, college students, industry professionals, and relevant organizations - to list their contact details, subject expertise, and availability without charging students for services. All registrants (except certified teachers with prior background checks) must undergo a criminal history check, and the registry will include a disclaimer noting the information hasn't been verified or endorsed by the state. The registry will be accessible on the Department of Education's website to connect students with free tutoring support.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state standard to protect New Jersey workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries by requiring employers to implement specific safety measures. It directly affects all employers and employees in New Jersey, including those in high-risk outdoor jobs (like construction and agriculture) and indoor settings without climate control. Key provisions mandate written prevention plans that include providing cool water (under 59°F), paid rest breaks in shaded or cooled areas, monitoring heat exposure, and activating a heat alert system during forecasted heat waves - requiring adjustments like shifting work schedules or increasing rest breaks. Employers must develop these plans within 30 days of the law's effective date, with the Department of Labor setting the heat stress standard by June 1, 2025.