Asm. Sterley Stanley

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 would require New Jersey to pay for high school equivalency exams (such as GED, Hi-SET, or TASC) for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. The State Board of Education must establish a program within six months to verify income and cover the cost of one exam per person. Funding would come from a specific allocation within the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, which is already designated for workforce training and education programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $10,000 annual salary threshold that previously applied to retired Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) members returning to teaching positions at public institutions of higher education. Under current law, retirees in these roles had to earn over $10,000 annually to avoid having their retirement benefits canceled and re-enrolled in the system. The bill removes this salary reference entirely, meaning retired teachers returning to such positions will automatically retain their retirement benefits regardless of their new salary. It directly affects retired PERS members employed in teaching staff roles at public colleges or universities. The change aligns with legislative intent to simplify the policy, as the $10,000 threshold was deemed outdated.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers to provide free cancer screenings every three years for firefighters who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) but have waived enrollment in it. The screenings must cover 11 specific cancers, including colon, lung, and breast cancer, and must be conducted without any out-of-pocket cost to the firefighter. Employers can be reimbursed by the state up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period for these screenings. This extends existing coverage and reimbursement requirements to firefighters who are eligible for SHBP but chose not to enroll, ensuring they receive the same preventive care as those enrolled in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow crematories to operate as stand-alone facilities on property owned or leased by the cremation company, separate from cemeteries or funeral homes. Currently, New Jersey law restricts crematories to cemetery grounds or funeral homes that existed before December 1, 1971. The bill would require crematory companies to be nonprofit entities, file with the New Jersey Cemetery Board, post their regulations and charges publicly, and submit annual reports. It would also establish a system for issuing 12 permits for stand-alone crematories and prohibit crematory companies from manufacturing urns or operating funeral homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, including commercial plans, health maintenance organizations, and state programs, to cover mammograms starting at age 35 rather than 40 for routine screening. It mandates annual mammograms for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. The bill also requires coverage for additional breast imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs when mammograms show dense breast tissue or abnormalities. This applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The policy change lowers the age threshold for routine screening to improve early breast cancer detection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop a program promoting trauma-informed care to help children and families affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The program mandates creating a toolkit for state employees and community partners, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, and identifying gaps in services. It also requires all state agencies serving children and adults to implement trauma-informed practices, including staff training on ACEs and using trauma-sensitive language in contracts. The goal is to improve health and educational outcomes by addressing childhood trauma early through evidence-based approaches.

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 requires New Jersey employers to develop heat safety plans to protect workers from heat-related illness and injury. The plans must include access to cool water, shaded rest areas, regular breaks, and training on recognizing heat illness symptoms. Employers must follow these plans when temperatures reach 90°F outdoors or 87°F indoors, and must review their plans annually. The Department of Labor will enforce these requirements with fines or stop-work orders for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain New Jersey school districts that will lose state aid to submit their budgets after the state's FY2025 budget is finalized. It specifically applies to districts where the state aid reduction exceeds their unused tax authority (known as "banked cap" under current law). The Commissioner of Education must permit these districts to submit budgets within five days after the FY2025 appropriations act is enacted, and may adjust the budget calendar to create a compressed timeline for approval. The change applies only to the 2024-2025 school year.