Rep. Maureen Rowan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover fertility preservation services (like egg or sperm freezing) for individuals who develop infertility as a direct result of medically necessary treatments, such as cancer therapy. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries facing treatment-induced infertility who would otherwise pay out-of-pocket for these services. The key provision amends Medicaid coverage to include these services under "comprehensive medical care" when recommended by a physician prior to treatments known to cause infertility. The policy change ensures coverage for fertility preservation as part of standard medical care, without adding new administrative burdens to existing Medicaid services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey shore municipalities to offer free or reduced beach access fees to the spouse and dependent children (over age 12) of veterans who were honorably discharged after at least 90 days of active duty or due to a service-connected injury/disability. It amends existing law, which already permits fee waivers for active military personnel, National Guard members, seniors, and others, by adding veterans to the eligible group. Municipalities are not required to adopt this policy but may choose to do so via local ordinance. Veterans can verify eligibility using standard documents like a DD-214 form or state veteran ID.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 14-member task force to develop safety and economic guidelines for tourism-dependent businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth counties. The task force must create reopening guidance (including social distancing), assess economic impacts on these businesses, and evaluate how its recommendations affect coronavirus spread. Members include health officials, tourism department representatives, bipartisan legislators, and business owners from each affected county. The task force must submit its report to county health departments, the state chamber of commerce, the governor, and legislature within 30 days, after which the bill expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases retirement benefits for New Jersey police and fire personnel who suffer disabilities caused by weapons while on duty. It changes the accidental disability pension from 2/3 of a member's salary to 100% of their annual compensation when the disability results from weapon use. The amendment specifically applies to members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) and requires the disability to be directly linked to weapon-related incidents during service. This adjustment provides higher financial support compared to the current standard for weapon-related injuries.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires owners of qualifying 18-hole public golf courses (excluding 9-hole, par-3, or miniature courses) to maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED). Within one year of enactment, course operators must acquire, store accessibly, and maintain an AED, notify emergency services of its location, and ensure at least one employee on-site during business hours holds current certification in AED use and CPR. Violations carry escalating civil penalties: $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The law applies only to full-sized public courses meeting the defined criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security to study and address intergenerational poverty - the cycle where poverty persists across multiple family generations. The commission will develop a strategic plan using a "two-generation approach," focusing on simultaneous support for parents and children to improve economic security. It defines key terms like "intergenerational poverty" (distinct from temporary hardship) and requires measuring poverty through non-income factors such as housing, health care access, and the digital divide. The bill creates the framework for future policy action but does not allocate direct funding or mandate specific programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded program to improve access to menstrual hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) for low-income residents in New Jersey. The Department of Agriculture will administer the program, awarding annual grants of up to $10,000 to participating food pantries to purchase these products, with $200,000 appropriated from the state General Fund. The department must list participating pantries and their hours online, coordinate with pharmacies for efficient product distribution, and develop educational materials about menstrual hygiene. The program requires implementation within six months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in eight New Jersey counties (Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer) to help low-income renters cover security deposits. It appropriates $400,000 to create a dedicated fund that reimburses landlords if tenants violate leases, while requiring eligible tenants to pay 1/12 of their security deposit monthly for the first year. To qualify, households must meet "very low income" housing standards under state law and rent must not exceed 40% of their income. Landlords cannot refuse leases to participants, as this would violate the state’s anti-discrimination law. The program requires the commissioner to report on its effectiveness after three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's major transportation and economic authorities - including the NJTA, SJTA, EDA, CRDA, PANYNJ, and DRPA - to actively consider and prioritize hiring minority and women employees, as well as awarding contracts to minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Authorities must publish quarterly reports online detailing employee demographics (by gender, race, and ethnicity) and contractor diversity, including average salaries and contract values. The law defines "minority" broadly to include Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, and specifies that businesses owned by these groups must meet a 51% ownership threshold to qualify. If passed, these measures would directly affect hiring and contracting decisions across these agencies' operations.

Maddy summaryBill A-2858 requires New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to sell mobile sport fishing permits - used for operating vehicles on beaches for fishing - in a way that reserves the first 14 days of each permit season exclusively for New Jersey residents. This directly affects non-residents who would need to wait until after the 14-day window to purchase these permits. The DEP may establish rules for verifying residency (e.g., driver’s licenses or utility bills) and must implement the change six months after the bill’s enactment. The policy aims to prioritize local access to beach fishing permits while allowing the DEP flexibility in enforcement.