Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans, Medicaid, and state employee health benefits programs in New Jersey to cover reproductive health care services, including abortion, with no cost-sharing (no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). It allows religious employers to request coverage exclusions based on religious beliefs, while requiring insurers to provide written notice of such exclusions to covered persons. The bill also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse actions against providers who offer reproductive health services, even if the patient is from a state where such services are restricted. These provisions aim to remove financial barriers to reproductive health care access while protecting health care providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.

Maddy summaryThe "Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act" (A4483) requires health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the State Health Benefits Program to cover cancer treatments administered through IV or other non-digestive system methods, along with survivorship care plans for patients with Stage III, IV, or terminal cancer, with no cost-sharing required. The bill prohibits mortgage lenders from initiating foreclosure actions and creditors from starting collection proceedings against cancer patients undergoing treatment, requiring dismissal of such actions upon physician certification. Additionally, it provides up to 45 days' eviction protection for tenants with cancer who submit physician certification, and extends employment protections for cancer patients taking disability leave. This legislation directly affects cancer patients in New Jersey who are receiving treatment for advanced stages of cancer, ensuring they face fewer financial barriers during their treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects individuals who pay dues to labor organizations, including public employees represented by such groups. The key provision requires taxpayers to provide verification of dues paid to the Division of Taxation to claim the deduction. The bill defines "union dues" broadly to include all required membership fees, and "labor organization" as any group addressing work conditions like wages or grievances. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A4491 (A4491) expedites the process for filling vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives seat representing the state. It requires the Governor to issue a writ of election within 10 days of a vacancy occurring, eliminates the need for primary elections in all vacancy scenarios, and specifies election timelines based on when the vacancy happens. For vacancies before July 1, a special election must occur 70-80 days after the writ is issued; for vacancies between July 1 and 70 days before the general election, the seat is filled at the next general election without a primary; and for vacancies after the 70th day before the general election with over a year remaining, a special election occurs 70-80 days after the writ. The bill directly affects New Jersey voters and candidates by streamlining the timeline and process for filling congressional vacancies.

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the filing deadline for New Jersey public safety retirees and members of PFRS, SPRS, and PERS to claim accidental disability retirement benefits related to 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. It allows retirement system boards to approve additional two-year filing extensions beyond the initial two-year window required after the 2019 law. The bill also provides an alternative to proving prior medical health status by permitting members to submit medical examination results from before or after public service entry, rather than requiring proof of a passing pre-employment physical. This applies to those who participated in 9/11 operations between September 11-12, 2001, and developed qualifying health conditions as a result of their service. Retirement systems must notify members about this bill within 30 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $44.7 million Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to help eligible New Jersey school districts affected by state aid cuts in the 2024-2025 school year. It provides grants covering two-thirds of each district's state aid reduction (capped at 9.9% of their prior year's tax levy) and allows eligible districts to temporarily exceed normal tax increase limits to offset these cuts. Districts receiving aid must maintain staff levels from the previous year unless enrollment declines, requiring commissioner approval for reductions. The program specifically excludes SDA districts (special needs districts) from the tax levy exception but does not affect their existing tax authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4212) adds the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) to the list of organizations whose representatives can take paid leave to attend state or national conventions. It directly affects county veteran service officers who serve as official NACVSO representatives. The key provision allows these representatives to take up to five total days of paid leave per year for convention attendance, with travel time included, while requiring a certificate of attendance. The bill amends existing law (R.S. 38:23-2) to include NACVSO under the same rules already applied to other veteran service organizations.