Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric and gas utilities from charging residential customers in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for the billing period. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. Utilities must cap these fees at the precise cost of the customer's usage, preventing overcharging for manual reading services. The law applies immediately upon enactment and defines key terms like "meter-reading fee" and "smart meter" in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5905) requires courts and law enforcement to notify the State Parole Board when a parolee violates a domestic violence restraining order. It amends New Jersey law to ensure the Domestic Violence Central Registry includes whether a person is on parole supervision, and mandates that the Parole Board check this registry when considering parole for inmates subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The bill also requires the Parole Board to notify the registry when a parolee's status begins or ends. These changes aim to improve communication between the justice system and parole authorities regarding domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5907) prohibits New Jersey law enforcement agencies and users of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies for investigations targeting legal reproductive health services in New Jersey. It specifically bans sharing such data to pursue civil or criminal liability related to services like pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion that are lawful in New Jersey. The bill requires out-of-state agencies to provide written confirmation they won’t use the data for these investigations before sharing is permitted. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense or $5,000 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans and Medicaid programs to cover prescription drugs for specific serious mental illnesses without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It defines "serious mental illness" to include conditions like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and other disorders listed in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The legislation applies to all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, mandating coverage for these medications without utilization management barriers that often delay treatment. This would directly affect individuals with these mental health conditions who currently face insurance hurdles to accessing necessary medications.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly data on affordable housing and senior citizen housing units to the Department of Community Affairs. The information includes building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links. This data will be published on state government websites (Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and linked from municipal websites. The bill directly affects local governments by mandating data reporting and aims to make housing availability information more accessible to the public. It does not change housing eligibility or funding but creates a centralized public resource.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 17-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to study chronic absenteeism in New Jersey public schools. The task force, including the Commissioner of Education and members appointed by legislative leaders and education stakeholders, will analyze causes like barriers to attendance, mental health impacts, and pandemic-related absences. It must issue a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The bill does not change school policies or funding but creates a structured process to assess and address absenteeism trends.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to lease school properties no longer needed for educational purposes to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) without competitive bidding. It adds FQHCs to the existing list of entities - such as government agencies, fire departments, and certain nonprofits - that can lease such property for a nominal fee without bidding. Leases must be compatible with school operations, as determined by the state education commissioner. This change simplifies access to school facilities for FQHCs, which provide community healthcare services.

Maddy summaryAJR 161 permanently designates August 17 as "Nonprofit Day" in New Jersey to recognize the work of the state's over 40,000 nonprofit organizations. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through community activities. It highlights nonprofits' roles in providing essential services like food assistance, healthcare, and education, while noting they employ 330,000 New Jersey residents and contribute $5.3 billion annually to the state's economy. This symbolic resolution aligns New Jersey with national recognition of nonprofits' community impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3789) amends New Jersey law to expand accountability for firearms violations. It changes the standard for certain offenses from "knowingly" to include "recklessly" for violations of firearms regulatory provisions (e.g., manufacturing, selling, or transferring firearms). For licensed dealers, it strengthens requirements by adding "should have known" to the standard when selling firearms to someone who plans to transfer them to a disqualified person (e.g., someone banned from owning guns under state or federal law), making dealers liable for negligence. Violations now carry harsher penalties, including mandatory minimum prison terms (18 months to 3 years) and permanent loss of retail firearm licenses. The bill directly affects licensed firearms dealers and individuals who violate firearms transfer rules.