Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to assess children's oral health using the Basic Screening Survey, developed by dental health professionals. It mandates DOH, with dental staff, to collect random data samples from every county biannually on oral health status of preschool and school-aged children, with parental consent required for any data collection. All data must comply with privacy laws, and DOH must submit biennial reports to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations. The survey is a screening tool to identify obvious dental issues, not a clinical exam or treatment plan. The bill directly affects children's oral health monitoring across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey hospitals with inpatient maternity services and licensed birthing centers to provide lactation counseling to people who have given birth before their discharge. Specifically, facilities must offer either an in-person one-on-one consultation with a certified lactation specialist or a remote consultation via live voice if requested. The counseling must include breastfeeding education, support, care planning, instruction on breastfeeding techniques, recommendations for assistive devices, and health benefit information. The bill ensures lactation specialists cannot be reassigned to non-lactation duties during their shifts and defines "lactation consultant" and "lactation counselor" by specific certification standards.

Maddy summaryAJR 62 designates the first week of May each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities promoting awareness of children's mental health. It aims to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment for children with mental health disorders, as highlighted in the bill's rationale about their vulnerability to school suspensions, substance use, and justice system involvement. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans to cover additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances when a physician determines they're necessary for physical and recreational activities like running, biking, swimming, and sports. It expands current coverage requirements, which already mandate coverage for basic orthotic and prosthetic appliances that are medically necessary, to include additional devices needed for recreational activities. The bill applies to all health insurance contracts in New Jersey, including hospital, medical, and health service corporations, and requires reimbursement at the same rate as federal Medicare. It would take effect 90 days after enactment for policies issued or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new process for handling court cases involving property owned by multiple people, specifically when at least one owner inherited the property from a relative. It establishes a special master to determine the property's fair market value, gives other owners the opportunity to buy out those who want to sell, and provides guidelines for when property should be divided physically or sold. The process applies to properties where no agreement exists about division, at least one owner acquired title from a relative, and 20% or more of interests are held by relatives or acquired from relatives. The bill aims to provide a more equitable resolution than the current system by considering factors like sentimental value and practical division. The new process would apply to all such cases filed 30 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents or guardians to file a guardianship complaint for a minor up to six months before the minor turns 18, establishing a clear timeframe for these filings. It ensures any guardianship order only takes effect on the minor's 18th birthday to prevent gaps in legal protection during the transition to adulthood. The bill also specifies that guardianship complaints cannot be withdrawn without evidence the minor has capacity or has died. This change aims to streamline the process for minors who will need guardianship upon reaching adulthood.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3363) creates a centralized online directory for affordable housing and senior citizen housing units across New Jersey. It requires each county to submit monthly data to the Department of Community Affairs, including building addresses, management contacts, application status, and online application links for all qualifying housing units. The information must be published on the websites of the Department of Community Affairs, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and New Jersey Housing Resource Center. This system aims to make it easier for residents to find available housing options by consolidating location-specific details in one public online resource.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how school districts and charter schools can use or disclose student waiver forms related to financial aid applications. It requires waiver forms to collect only basic information (name, contact details, date, and signature) and prohibits schools from sharing waiver content or personal details without student or parent consent, in line with federal privacy laws like FERPA. The bill mandates that all waiver forms include clear, prominent language about these privacy restrictions. This applies to both new waivers and those submitted before the bill's effective date, directly affecting students, parents, and schools handling these records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires athletic trainers and coaches in New Jersey public schools (for middle/high school sports, cheerleading, and dance programs) and public colleges to complete a standardized eating disorder awareness training program. The training, developed by the Commissioner of Education with health and education officials, covers identifying eating disorders, prevention strategies, available support services, and protocols for connecting student-athletes with help. Coaches and trainers must complete the training initially within six months of the program's launch and every two years thereafter, with new hires required to complete it within six months of appointment. Additionally, school boards and public universities must adopt protocols for addressing suspected eating disorders among student-athletes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5426) amends New Jersey's domestic violence public awareness campaign to require inclusion of information about coercive control - a pattern of controlling behavior often used in abusive relationships - and expands the languages available for campaign materials. The campaign, managed by the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, must now cover coercive control (defined in existing law) alongside other topics like prevention and victim services. It also mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on campaign activities and requires materials to be available in English, Spanish, and additional languages recommended by the Advisory Council on Domestic Violence. The bill directly affects state agencies administering the campaign and aims to improve public and professional awareness of domestic violence dynamics.