Asm. Reginald Atkins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to review and improve the Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Program, which coordinates long-term care for Medicaid members. It mandates the state to identify barriers to transitioning nursing home residents to community settings when clinically appropriate, and to require managed care organizations (MCOs) to reduce care management caseloads, conduct regular in-person visits with nursing home residents, and annually review transition options. The bill also directs the state to create annual public report cards on the web showing MCO performance metrics - including member enrollment, disenrollment rates, service quality, and member feedback - to help Medicaid members compare MCOs. These report cards and improvements must be implemented within 18 months of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4538) caps annual tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities at 2% above the previous year's rate. It directly affects public institutions of higher education and resident undergraduate students by restricting how much tuition can rise each academic year. The law takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment, applying to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's rent receivership law to change the court's requirement from mandatory appointment to discretionary. Courts will no longer be required to appoint a receiver when a building meets conditions like persistent dangerous housing code violations (90+ days) or a pattern of violations (four times in 12 months or six times in two years), but may choose to do so instead. It removes language requiring courts to base decisions solely on the plaintiff's evidence, allowing judges to consider all relevant evidence. This change, recommended by the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, aims to provide courts greater flexibility in addressing tenant safety concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parole representatives to accompany incarcerated individuals during parole proceedings when requested. It expands access to certain confidential materials by mandating that parole boards note when documents are removed as confidential and disclose in written notices if such materials played a role in parole denial decisions. The bill also requires courts to review confidential materials in camera during appeals if they were cited as a reason for parole denial. These changes apply to individuals in New Jersey's correctional facilities facing parole consideration. The bill implements recommendations from the Office of the Public Defender Parole Project to improve transparency in parole proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public colleges and universities to create a policy allowing students to withdraw for serious personal issues (like illness, injury, hospitalization, or mental health needs) and receive a refund. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" to include these specific health-related situations and establish clear criteria for determining when a student's education is hindered. The policy must refund tuition and fees for the semester of withdrawal if the circumstances prevented learning, and also provide refunds for unused housing or meal plan charges. Refunds for students receiving financial aid or state aid will follow existing federal and state refund regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing property owners to transfer real estate (like homes or land) to named beneficiaries upon their death without probate. Owners aged 18+ can create a "transfer on death deed" that must be recorded before their death, is revocable anytime during their life (without beneficiary consent), and requires no payment or acceptance from the beneficiary. The property automatically transfers to the beneficiary after the owner's death, but the owner retains full control during their lifetime - including the right to sell, mortgage, or change the deed. The law ensures the deed doesn’t affect the owner’s ability to manage the property, the beneficiary’s public assistance eligibility, or creditors’ claims against the owner’s estate.

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 summaryThis bill provides an additional $500,000 in state funding from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) for the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. The funding directly supports the group’s existing services for New Jersey veterans, including financial assistance, housing support, emergency transportation, and benefits counseling. The bill adds this amount to the DMVA’s "Veterans Program Support" budget line, ensuring the group can continue its community-based outreach and coordination with other veteran service providers. This is a funding allocation, not a new policy, and it specifically aids veterans in New Jersey who access these support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to provide free menstrual hygiene products (such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups) to Haitian migrants in New Jersey who have resided in the state for at least two years. The New Jersey Department of Health will partner with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations serving Haitian migrants to distribute these products and conduct outreach to eligible individuals. The program will be funded through annual state appropriations and may accept additional grants, with the Department required to submit annual reports on its effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients from paying municipal parking meter fees when their vehicle displays a special license plate or placard issued by New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It applies directly to these veterans and recipients when they are driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle displaying the MVC-issued plate or placard. The exemption covers standard parking meter fees but does not apply if a vehicle is parked for more than 24 hours at one location. The bill amends existing law to clarify this exemption and requires the MVC to issue the necessary placards.