Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2220) requires health care providers and insurance carriers to obtain a patient's explicit written consent before sharing their medical records related to reproductive health care services - such as pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care - unless specific exceptions apply. The law directly affects patients receiving these services, ensuring they control how their sensitive health information is used or shared. Key exceptions include medical emergencies, legal requirements (like court orders), sharing with a patient's own health care team, or disclosures to authorities investigating abuse. The bill prohibits selling, marketing, or using such records for non-treatment purposes without consent, while preserving existing federal privacy protections under HIPAA. Violations could result in $1,000 penalties per incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover fertility preservation services (like egg or sperm freezing) for individuals who develop infertility as a direct result of medically necessary treatments, such as cancer therapy. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries facing treatment-induced infertility who would otherwise pay out-of-pocket for these services. The key provision amends Medicaid coverage to include these services under "comprehensive medical care" when recommended by a physician prior to treatments known to cause infertility. The policy change ensures coverage for fertility preservation as part of standard medical care, without adding new administrative burdens to existing Medicaid services.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3675, now law as P.L.2025, c.196) allows pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medicine (PrEP) and emergency HIV treatment (PEP) without individual prescriptions under specific conditions. It directly affects patients seeking HIV prevention or post-exposure treatment, requiring pharmacists to follow strict protocols: verify recent HIV-negative test results, screen for symptoms/contraindications, provide counseling, and notify primary care providers. Pharmacists must complete state-approved training covering medication use and financial assistance programs. The law mandates a 30-60 day supply for PrEP (with limits on frequency) and requires PEP to be dispensed within 72 hours of potential exposure, aligning with federal CDC guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill reaffirms the continuation of the Rutgers Institute of Management and Labor Relations for its 77th anniversary and appropriates $750,000 annually from the General Fund to support its operations. It requires the Institute to offer affordable educational programs (free for New Jersey residents when possible) on labor-management relations, including classes, webinars, and forums, while conducting applied research on workplace issues. The bill mandates an advisory council with six members - representing labor, management, and the public - to guide program development and budgeting. These funds are intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for the Institute.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 68) urges Congress to pass the bipartisan "Afghan Adjustment Act." It directly addresses Afghan allies who helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan, many of whom entered the U.S. under temporary humanitarian parole after the 2021 withdrawal but lack a path to permanent legal status. The resolution requests Congress enact legislation that would allow these evacuees to apply for permanent residency, similar to past laws for Cuban, Southeast Asian, and Iraqi allies. It does not create new law but formally asks federal lawmakers to advance this specific bill. The resolution cites 76,000 Afghans currently in temporary status as the key group affected.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides workers' compensation benefits for New Jersey public safety workers (like firefighters, police, and emergency responders) who developed illnesses or injuries from exposure during the September 11, 2001 attacks, if they are enrolled in the federal World Trade Center Health Program. It creates a legal presumption that such conditions are compensable under state law, removing standard time limits for filing claims - requiring claims to be filed within two years of the bill's effective date or when the disability was known, whichever is later. If workers previously received federal or state benefits for 9/11-related conditions, those payments are credited against future state compensation to avoid duplicate payments. The bill also requires state agencies and employers to notify affected workers about these benefits through official channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing domestic violence public awareness campaign to include information about recognizing "coercive control" - patterns of controlling behavior like isolating victims, monitoring communications, or threatening to report them to authorities. It requires the Division on Women (within the Department of Children and Families) to add this content to the campaign, expand language options beyond English and Spanish (as recommended by the Advisory Council), and provide annual reports on campaign activities. The campaign must cover causes, risk factors, prevention, and local victim services, with new materials specifically addressing coercive control indicators. This directly affects victims of domestic violence, service providers, and the public by enhancing educational resources and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for false alarms targeting places of worship in New Jersey. It amends the state's false alarm law to make such incidents a second-degree crime (carrying 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000), while raising the minimum civil penalty from $2,000 to $5,000 (or actual response costs, whichever is higher). The law specifically defines "place of worship" as a building seating over 50 people used permanently for religious services by a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. It directly affects individuals who falsely report emergencies at churches, synagogues, or temples, and requires law enforcement to report such incidents annually. The bill aims to deter false alarms that disrupt religious gatherings and strain emergency resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new entities in New Jersey: the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health) and the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission. It requires hospitals, health insurers, and other healthcare providers to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care, emergency visits, and physician services. The Commission will set annual benchmarks for healthcare cost growth and hospital pricing, monitor entities exceeding these benchmarks, and may impose public transparency requirements or civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey hospitals, health insurers, and healthcare providers by mandating transparency in pricing and cost reporting to promote affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2491, "Concerns electricity load forecasting") requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to collect and review load-forecasting data from electricity providers (like utilities and large commercial customers) and coordinate with the regional grid operator, PJM. It mandates that utilities and load-serving entities submit their forecasting methods, data, and related contracts to the Board, which must analyze this information to ensure accurate regional grid planning. The Board must also coordinate with PJM and neighboring states to prevent duplicate counting of projects and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2026. The goal is to improve forecasting accuracy, maintain grid reliability, and prevent unnecessary costs for New Jersey consumers due to overbuilding or underbuilding infrastructure.