Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement in New Jersey. It removes the test from graduation standards, so students no longer need to pass it to receive a diploma, and school districts no longer need to administer it. The bill also amends school district report cards to remove test results and eliminates the requirement for out-of-school youth to pass the test for a State endorsed diploma. This directly affects all New Jersey high school students, school districts, and out-of-school youth seeking diplomas by changing graduation requirements from a standardized test to local standards developed by school boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Patient and Provider Protection Act," imposes new requirements on pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey. It requires PBMs to have a fiduciary duty to patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and bans contracts with drug manufacturers that condition rebates on excluding generic drugs. PBMs must reimburse contracted pharmacies at cost or higher and independent pharmacies at no more than 5% less than contracted rates (but still at cost), and cannot block independent pharmacies from matching network prices. These changes directly affect PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients covered by health plans using PBMs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retailers who sell tobacco or vapor products to people under 21. First violations now carry $500 fines (up from $250), second violations $1,000 (up from $500), and third or subsequent violations $2,000 (up from $1,000). Small businesses with clear compliance policies pay only $100 for the first violation. Five percent of collected fines will fund public education on vapor product dangers and illegal sales. Retailers must also post new signs at points of sale and vending machines warning that selling to minors is prohibited.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include certain substitute teachers who were previously excluded. It amends the law to allow eligible substitutes - defined by specific criteria in the bill - to enroll in the retirement system, directly affecting their access to pension benefits. The key change modifies the definition of "member" in the pension law to include these substitute educators. This policy shift provides a concrete pathway for qualifying substitutes to build retirement savings through TPAF.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits received by a child in out-of-home placement (such as foster care) to reimburse the state for the child's care costs. Instead, DCF must use these benefits - like Social Security or Veterans benefits - to cover the child's unmet needs (e.g., medical or educational expenses beyond state coverage) or save them in a dedicated account for the child's future. DCF is required to apply for federal benefits on behalf of eligible children, maintain separate accounts for these funds, and provide annual reports to the child, parents, and court on their use. The law ensures children's federal benefits directly support their personal needs and future, rather than offsetting state expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3,750,990 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation grants. The funds will cover up to 50% of the cost for nonprofit organizations to acquire development easements or fee simple ownership of farmland, ensuring the land remains available for agricultural use under approved restrictions. The grants specifically support eight farmland preservation projects managed by the Land Conservancy of New Jersey in Warren and Sussex counties, using funds from the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund established by state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation grants. The funds will directly support Oldmans Township in Salem County through a $500,000 base grant for municipal planning, as specified in the bill. The township is also eligible to compete for an additional up to $1 million in competitive grants from existing funds, totaling potential funding of $1.5 million. These grants are designed to incentivize local planning efforts that preserve agricultural land, using revenue dedicated to open space and farmland preservation under New Jersey's constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $13.64 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund conservation and recreation projects through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. The funds will be distributed as grants to nonprofit organizations for open space acquisition ($8.35 million), park development ($2.13 million), and stewardship activities ($1.48 million), plus $1 million for a new planning grant program to help nonprofits prepare conservation plans. The grants support land conservation and recreation initiatives across multiple counties and municipalities throughout New Jersey. All funding decisions require approval from the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, and the program is funded from revenues specifically dedicated to open space preservation under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5862 appropriates $34 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund farmland preservation. The funds will provide planning incentive grants to eligible counties - specifically five counties receiving base grants of $500,000-$1 million, plus 10 additional counties eligible for competitive grants - to cover up to 80% of costs for permanent land protections (development easements) on farmland. The grants are administered through the State Agriculture Development Committee under the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund, with a county’s maximum total award capped at $8.5 million. This bill directly affects participating counties in agricultural areas by enabling local governments to preserve farmland through permanent land protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program and Plan First program to cover fertility preservation services for individuals whose fertility may be impaired by medically necessary treatments like cancer therapy. It defines "iatrogenic infertility" as fertility loss caused by medical treatments affecting reproductive organs, and specifies that covered services include storage of sperm, eggs, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. The coverage must be provided without discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, making these often-expensive services accessible to low-to-moderate income patients who would otherwise be unable to afford them.