Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transports from $58 to a minimum of $200 per transport. It directly affects ambulance providers who deliver emergency medical transportation to Medicaid patients across all Medicaid service models (fee-for-service and managed care). The key provision sets a mandatory minimum payment rate, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to implement the change through rules and secure federal funding approval. This policy change aims to address New Jersey's current rate being the lowest in the region, which is significantly below neighboring states' rates.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3684 adopts a legal definition of Islamophobia for use in civil and criminal cases, directly affecting public officials, law enforcement, and courts. The bill defines Islamophobia as racism targeting Muslim identity or culture, listing specific examples like stereotyping, exclusion, verbal abuse, and false conspiracy claims about Muslims. It requires officials to consider this definition when investigating discrimination or hate crimes motivated by anti-Muslim bias. The definition explicitly excludes legitimate criticism of Muslim-majority countries and clarifies the law does not override First Amendment protections or existing anti-discrimination statutes.

Maddy summaryACR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a fundamental right for all New Jersey residents to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, and protected natural habitats. It would require the state to act as a trustee for public natural resources - such as water, air, forests, and public lands - ensuring these are preserved for both current and future generations. The amendment specifies these environmental rights are "self-executing," meaning they would take effect immediately without needing additional laws, and would exist alongside existing legal protections. If approved by voters, this would become part of New Jersey's Constitution, directly affecting all residents and imposing a duty on the state to protect these resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric facilities in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios (such as 1 nurse for every 4 medical/surgical patients, 1 nurse for every 2 critical care patients, and 1 unlicensed personnel for every 7 daytime patients) while mandating hospitals to implement an acuity-based staffing system to ensure adequate staffing levels. Hospitals found in violation may face civil penalties that increase with repeat offenses, with penalty revenue funding a dedicated "Patient Protection and Staffing Fund" to support nursing recruitment, retention, education, and inspector staffing. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Human Services to review staffing standards in developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals to align with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A513 would provide tuition-free classroom training for eligible apprentices in registered apprenticeship programs. It directly affects low-income individuals whose household income is below New Jersey's median (determined by U.S. Census data), who are enrolled in apprenticeships and meet specific criteria: their employer doesn't cover tuition, they've exhausted federal aid, and they maintain active apprenticeship employment with good academic standing. The bill requires public colleges and vocational schools to waive tuition for these courses, funded through existing state workforce development funds or Wagner-Peyser Act dollars. This policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for apprentices pursuing vocational training.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey county to install at least one drive-up ballot drop box at a location designed for accessibility (with features like turning radius, curb cuts, and handicap parking). It mandates that all ballot drop boxes be clearly marked as "Official Ballot Drop Box" and display specific information in required languages, including tampering penalties, a voter hotline, "no postage needed" notice, county-specific ballot acceptance rules, and the 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline. The bill also requires counties to post electioneering restrictions (no political activity within 100 feet) and ensures compliance with accessibility standards. These changes apply directly to county election boards, affecting how voters deposit mail-in ballots statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to increase penalties for false public alarms targeting places of worship. It defines a "place of worship" as a building seating over 50 people used permanently for religious services by a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Violations involving such locations become a second-degree crime (previously third-degree) and trigger a minimum $5,000 civil penalty - double the standard $2,000 penalty - plus reimbursement for emergency response costs. The law also requires annual reports from law enforcement on these offenses to the state's Office of Emergency Management.

Maddy summaryBill A3450 establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and certain state facilities (like psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers) in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios based on unit type, such as one nurse for every five patients in medical/surgical units or one nurse for every patient under anesthesia. Facilities must implement an acuity-based staffing system (approved by nursing staff or their union) to adjust staffing based on patient needs, and maintain float pools of nurses. The Department of Health will enforce these standards through inspections and investigations of complaints filed by staff or the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain public venues - including restaurants, malls, libraries, and health care facilities (with a capacity over 25 people) - to install baby-changing stations in at least one men’s restroom, one women’s restroom, or a dedicated family restroom. The requirement applies when building new restrooms or making substantial renovations (costing $5,000+ with a building permit). It also mandates that if a venue already has changing stations in women’s restrooms, it must add an equal number in men’s restrooms within 60 days of the law taking effect. Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1712) requires New Jersey public schools to maintain specific staffing ratios for certified school library media specialists based on student enrollment: half-time for schools under 300 students, one full-time specialist for 300-1,499 students, and two full-time specialists for 1,500+ students. It also mandates that schools with 500+ students employ at least one full-time library clerk, adding one clerk for every additional 500 students. School boards may request a one-year waiver for staffing shortages, but no more than two waivers are allowed within five years. The bill applies to all public schools and takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.