Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's existing telemedicine pay parity law, requiring health insurance plans to pay providers the same rate for telehealth services as in-person visits for covered services. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey (including Medicaid and private insurers) and affects providers delivering telehealth care. The extension, now ending December 31, 2025 (previously 2024), maintains the requirement that telehealth reimbursement equals in-person rates for covered services, excluding audio-only visits (which receive 50% of in-person rates) and behavioral health services (which receive full in-person rates). This is a procedural extension of an existing policy, not a new mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A908) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a statewide Internet-based tracking system for rape kits (sexual assault forensic evidence kits). It directly affects victims of sexual assault, healthcare facilities that collect kits, law enforcement agencies, and laboratories that process them. The system must track kits through every step - from collection at a hospital to final disposition - allowing authorized users to monitor the chain of custody. The Attorney General must issue guidelines to implement the system, which takes effect seven months after enactment. The bill focuses on improving transparency and accountability in handling rape kits, not on changing legal standards for sexual assault cases.

Maddy summaryAJR 101 designates the second Friday in December each year as "PSRPs in Our Schools Day" in New Jersey to honor paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs). This resolution directly recognizes PSRPs - including instructional aides, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodians, and maintenance workers - who support students through tutoring, classroom assistance, translation, meal service, and facility upkeep. The key mechanism is an annual observance calling on the Governor, Legislature, and citizens to acknowledge these workers' contributions. The resolution does not create new programs or funding but establishes a recurring day of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5148) allows 12th-grade students in New Jersey public schools to have excused absences for military enlistment activities without penalty. It directly affects students planning to join the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, covering required activities like testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting. The absence is recorded as excused on attendance records, does not appear on transcripts or employment forms, and is excluded from perfect attendance calculations. Schools may require documentation to verify the student's eligibility under this provision. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary licensing process for military spouses moving to New Jersey due to a spouse's military assignment. It requires state professional boards to issue temporary licenses to spouses who hold an unencumbered (active, no disciplinary issues) license in another state, allowing them to immediately practice their profession while their full license application is processed. The bill repeals previous requirements (P.L.2013, c.264) and ensures military spouses can apply for full licensure under standard rules. It directly affects nonresident military spouses seeking to work in licensed professions like nursing, teaching, or engineering within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a public online portal displaying how state school funding is calculated for all districts. The portal will show the data inputs (like enrollment and property values), allow users to estimate how changes would affect funding, and explain key formulas in plain language. It will include searchable district data for the past three years, showing total aid received, categorical aid types, and funding methodology details for special education, transportation, and other categories. The portal will also link to relevant laws, district budgets, and the state's annual Educational Adequacy Report.

Maddy summaryThis bill would expand eligibility for New Jersey veterans' benefits by removing specific time periods and locations that veterans must have served in to qualify for certain civil service and pension benefits. Instead of requiring service during particular wars or in specific conflict zones, the bill would allow veterans who have served in federal active duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or Reserve component to qualify. This change would impact civil service preferences, retirement benefits through the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund and Public Employees' Retirement System, and the ability to purchase military service credit for retirement. It would make it easier for veterans of more recent conflicts to access these benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations until January 1, 2027 - pushing back the current 2025 deadline. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring them to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (capping at 40-75% of annual sales by 2035). The bill modifies New Jersey’s adoption of California’s 2021 ACT regulations, which mandate phased EV sales targets, by prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from enforcing these rules before 2027. The delay gives manufacturers more time to adapt to the requirements while maintaining the state’s alignment with California’s emissions program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Tuition Reimbursement Program for special education teachers. It provides reimbursement for up to 100% of eligible tuition costs (after other grants/scholarships) for teachers pursuing a master's degree or certification in special education. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, hold a valid teaching certificate, enroll in an approved program, and agree to teach special education in a NJ public school for four years after completing their degree. Teachers must also meet performance standards, including maintaining residency, certification, and satisfactory teaching evaluations. Failure to complete the four-year commitment requires full repayment of the reimbursement to the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5055, the "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," requires school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (such as those with hearing, vision, or speech impairments) can fully participate in education using their preferred communication methods. Key provisions mandate schools to provide trained communication assistants familiar with each student's primary method (like sign language, AAC devices, or speech-generating tools), include communication plans in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, and offer early screenings and ongoing assessments of communication needs. The law also ensures students have full access to all school activities - including extracurriculars, lunch, and announcements - using their preferred communication method. The bill clarifies it does not expand rights beyond existing federal protections under the ADA, IDEA, and Section 504.