Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4979) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mandatory training on identifying machine gun conversion devices. It amends existing law to specify that all officers must receive periodic training covering these devices - components that convert semiautomatic firearms to shoot multiple rounds per trigger pull - as part of their required continuing education. The training must be approved by the Police Training Commission and documented by officers and their departments. This policy change directly affects all active law enforcement officers in New Jersey by adding a specific, practical skill requirement to their existing training obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5329) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study the costs of creating a long-term health care benefit for residents. The study must model two specific approaches: (1) a public benefit funded by worker payroll deductions providing time-limited insurance, or (2) a public-private reinsurance model to stabilize insurer reimbursement for catastrophic long-term care costs. Within 365 days, the DOH must submit a report analyzing expected costs/benefits, participant numbers, potential Medicaid savings, and state risks to the Governor and Legislature. The report will include recommendations for future legislation or regulations, but the bill itself does not establish any benefit or mandate changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care professionals licensed in other states to practice in New Jersey while their New Jersey licensure applications are being processed. It applies to a wide range of professionals including physicians, nurses, counselors, therapists, and other health care practitioners. The bill requires these professionals to immediately notify New Jersey authorities if their out-of-state license is suspended or disciplined, with a $500 daily penalty for failing to provide this notice. It also establishes temporary licenses for recent health care graduates (within six months of graduation) to practice under supervision while awaiting full licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover scalp cooling systems used during cancer chemotherapy treatment to prevent or reduce hair loss. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, individual and group health insurance policies, and state-sponsored health benefit programs. The law also mandates that physicians inform patients about scalp cooling therapy options before starting chemotherapy and document this discussion in their medical records. These changes directly affect cancer patients seeking hair loss prevention, insurers offering chemotherapy coverage, and healthcare providers administering chemo.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by the State or at projects receiving State funds to meet specific environmental and efficiency standards. It mandates the use of fully shielded fixtures to prevent upward light pollution, limits light output to necessary levels (not exceeding recommended illuminance), and requires full cutoff fixtures for lights exceeding 1,800 lumens. Temporary exceptions apply for emergencies, nighttime work, or safety needs, and the Department of Transportation must assess whether reflective road markers could replace lighting on roadways. The goal is to reduce energy waste, minimize light trespass and glare, and protect New Jersey's natural nighttime environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who left school due to military service, including active duty in the Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve. Schools must reinstate these students with the same academic standing they held before their service interruption and grant readmission for the next available semester upon written request. The bill prohibits institutions from charging application or other fees for these readmission requests. It takes effect immediately, applying to the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding under New Jersey's FY2025 environmental infrastructure funding program. It updates the specific clean water and drinking water projects that will receive funding, including detailed information about project sponsors, project numbers, and estimated loan amounts. The bill does not create new funding mechanisms but rather modifies the approved project lists for the existing program. This update ensures eligible municipalities and water systems can access funding for infrastructure improvements like stormwater management, combined sewer overflow abatement, and drinking water system upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $49.5 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues to fund land acquisition for recreation and conservation purposes across New Jersey. The funding supports specific projects including Blue Acres projects (which protect lands from flood and storm damage) and the Green Acres Program. The bill allocates $23.7 million for land acquisition in 14 designated project areas across multiple counties, with $23.7 million specifically for Blue Acres projects and $2.05 million for program administrative costs. This funding comes from a constitutional fund approved by voters in 2014 that's dedicated to open space and conservation initiatives.