Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill would require restaurants and other food service businesses to stop automatically providing single-use utensils (like forks and knives) and condiments (such as ketchup and mustard packets) to customers, instead offering them only when specifically requested. Businesses with 50 or more on-site seats would need to provide reusable utensils for dine-in customers who must return them for cleaning and reuse. The bill includes exemptions for schools (for five years), food courts (for two years), and health care facilities during infectious disease outbreaks or outdoor events. Violations would result in penalties of $2,500 for second offenses and $5,000 for third or subsequent offenses, with funds going to environmental cleanup programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates tiered retirement benefits in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), moving all current non-retired members to the "Tier 1" benefit level previously available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disability recipients under long-term insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits if they apply within two years. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for certain long-incarcerated individuals to seek rehabilitative release. It requires the Department of Corrections to issue a Certificate of Eligibility to people who have served at least 20 years (and are age 60+) or 30 years for murder (and are age 62+). Eligible individuals may then petition a court for sentence modification, which the court may grant if it finds they are not a danger, demonstrate reentry readiness (e.g., through education/vocational programs), and the interests of justice warrant release. If granted, the person receives a five-year parole term and must have victim input considered during the court hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $615,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) for a grant to the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership. The funding directly supports the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership, which operates New Jersey’s statewide 2-1-1 service providing free information and referrals to health, social, and emergency services. The bill adds this amount to the existing fiscal year 2026 budget for DHS’s Behavioral Health Services division. The 2-1-1 service, designated by New Jersey in 2002 as the sole state administrator for the nationwide 2-1-1 dialing code, connects residents to community resources through a single phone number.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to specifically protect current military service members and veterans from discrimination. It adds "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service" as a protected class, making it illegal for employers to discriminate against or deny reemployment to people who take time off for military service. The bill also updates gendered language in the law, replacing terms like "soldier, sailor, marine" with gender-neutral language. These changes strengthen protections for military personnel and veterans in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey cosmetology, barbering, and hair braiding schools to include training on textured hair (defined as coiled, curly, or wavy hair) in their existing curricula. The training must cover working with various coil, curl, and wave patterns, hair strand thickness, and hair volume. It also mandates that textured hair be included in both written and practical portions of licensure examinations for these professions. The requirement is to be integrated into current training without adding additional hours of instruction.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause to the same extent as coverage for other medical conditions. Covered treatments include hormonal therapies, non-hormonal medications, behavioral health services, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health screenings and treatments, preventative services for related conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and counseling. The law applies to all health insurance carriers in the state, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations. Insurers must also provide clear information about covered treatments to policyholders. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." It establishes a $500 fine for violations and allows pet shops to sell other animals or pet supplies, while enabling collaboration with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" for animals and specifies that an animal's death within 14 days of sale (except by accident) would be considered evidence of being unfit. It also prohibits animal rescue organizations, shelters, and pounds from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for compensation. The law does not affect pet dealers (not pet shops) or consumer rights for animals purchased from them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create a statewide policy for K-12 schools within 90 days, addressing student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules (like banning non-academic phone use in class), emergency exceptions, accommodations for students with special needs, and options for device storage. School districts must adopt a policy consistent with the DOE's framework by the start of the next full school year, though they may apply for exemptions. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and staff across New Jersey, focusing on standardizing device use rules while allowing districts to implement stricter policies.