Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services for adults aged 21+ by 35%. It also sets a minimum $10 per one-way trip reimbursement for transportation to these services (up from $7), covering both transportation and mileage costs. The changes apply to all Medicaid providers - both fee-for-service and managed care systems - effective after the bill's enactment date. These rate adjustments directly affect adult Medicaid beneficiaries receiving these services and the outpatient facilities delivering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1714) requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to offer same-day issuance of 12 specific documents during in-person appointments. It directly affects customers seeking standard driver's licenses, permits, identification cards, or vehicle registrations who have completed applications and paid fees. The MVC must provide cameras and printers at all locations to enable immediate document production before customers leave. This policy change replaces current practices where customers typically wait for mailed documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes gender-specific policies for female inmates in New Jersey state correctional facilities. It requires the Corrections Commissioner to create separate disciplinary rules for women (avoiding gender-inappropriate sanctions), implement trauma-informed care, and establish a nursery program allowing mothers to keep newborns with them if eligible (excluding those with certain violent crimes, child abuse history, or active warrants). The bill also mandates doula services during childbirth, parenting classes, and annual reporting on disciplinary actions by gender. These provisions directly affect incarcerated women in state facilities, particularly those who are pregnant or have young children.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to grant a 12-week payment pause on NJCLASS student loans for eligible borrowers who become parents. To qualify, borrowers must submit proof of a child's birth or adoption within 120 days, with the deferment starting once proof is received and ending 12 weeks later. During this period, no interest accrues on the loan, directly affecting new parent borrowers enrolled in the NJCLASS program. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies to cover mental health treatment and therapy for victims of domestic violence as "medically necessary," eliminating insurance denials for these services. It directly affects insurance carriers (who must provide full coverage) and domestic violence victims (who gain guaranteed access to mental health care). The key provision mandates that such treatment be covered "to the same extent as any other medically necessary treatment" under a policy, removing barriers insurers previously used to limit coverage. The bill amends multiple insurance law sections to enforce this requirement, applying to all health insurance contracts.

Maddy summaryBill A 2338 required public transportation employees, motorbus operators, hotel/motel staff, healthcare facility workers, and judicial personnel to complete one-time training on recognizing human trafficking signs and responding appropriately. The training, mandated as a condition for license renewals or employment, must include specific content about victim signals observed in public spaces and be reviewed biennially. It applied directly to licensed entities like hotels, healthcare facilities, and transit operators, with enforcement handled by the Department of Community Affairs and Department of Health. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.343.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits parole boards to setting future parole reconsideration dates no more than three years after an inmate is denied release. It applies to adult inmates denied parole at their initial eligibility date. The law prevents indefinite delays by requiring boards to schedule the next hearing within three years, though they may consider offense severity and criminal history when setting the date. It clarifies that good behavior credits do not shorten this three-year period. This replaces current practice where boards could set longer delays.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3330) creates a program to help New Jersey teachers reduce their student loan debt. It allows teachers who borrowed under the NJCLASS program to have 10% of their loan principal and interest paid by the state for each full year they work as a teacher in a New Jersey public or nonpublic school. To qualify, teachers must be NJ residents, have initially been hired as teachers after the bill takes effect, and sign a contract committing to a specific number of service years. The program requires full school-year service each year to earn the 10% reduction, with debt reduction applied annually after proof of employment is submitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private education lenders to register with New Jersey's Commissioner of Banking and Insurance before extending loans to state residents. It directly affects private education lenders (excluding federally chartered banks/credit unions) and New Jersey borrowers seeking private education loans. The key mechanism mandates registration with the state, establishing a fee collection process to oversee lenders. The bill also creates protections for borrowers, though specific details on these protections aren't detailed in the provided text. It does not apply to federally regulated institutions or certain short-term student financing arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year "Male Teachers of Color Mentorship Pilot Program" to pair male students of color in teacher training programs with male teachers of color. It requires the Commissioner of Education to select 19 eligible students (in their final year of training) and 19 male teachers from participating schools, pairing them for mentorship through the student's final training year and first two teaching years. Mentors receive a $5,000 annual stipend, and schools must make a good-faith effort to hire students with favorable performance reviews. The program is funded by a $95,000 appropriation and requires a final report evaluating its effectiveness and recommending potential expansion.