Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey paramedics, under physician supervision, to administer blood products to trauma patients experiencing severe bleeding or hemorrhagic shock in ambulances or pre-hospital settings. It requires EMS providers to train paramedics, maintain FDA-approved storage/warming equipment, conduct quarterly audits, and follow strict protocols for blood handling and transfusion reactions. The bill mandates that Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and private insurers cover these services at the same rate as hospital-based transfusions, using standard billing codes. It also creates a state grant program to offset initial equipment and training costs, and establishes a statewide blood rotation system to prevent waste and ensure adequate low-titer O blood supply for emergency use.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 1995 law that restricted how New Jersey public colleges could charge students for fees related to legislative advocacy. The repealed law prohibited mandatory tuition fees for student groups engaging in legislative activity but allowed optional fees with specific disclosures (e.g., stating the fee isn’t mandatory and isn’t endorsed by the college). The repeal removes these disclosure requirements and restrictions, allowing public colleges to handle such fees without mandated statements. It directly affects public universities and student organizations seeking to fund nonpartisan legislative advocacy efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) for someone to enter the dwelling of a domestic violence victim protected by a restraining order against them, if they intend to cause harm or commit another crime. It creates a legal presumption that such intent exists if a restraining order is active or if the person has prior domestic violence charges or convictions involving the victim. This presumption prevents judges from imposing nonimprisonment sentences (like probation) for these offenses. The bill directly affects individuals who violate domestic violence restraining orders by trespassing in a victim's home.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have New Jersey join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a system where social workers must meet specific requirements (including passing national exams, holding appropriate degrees, and completing supervised practice) to qualify for a multistate license. It creates a commission to manage the compact, handle data sharing among states, and address disciplinary actions. The compact aims to increase access to social work services, reduce duplicate licensing requirements, and support workforce mobility for social workers across member states. This would directly affect social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and the states' licensing authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to include a plain language summary in its final decisions on utility rate increase requests. The summary must clearly explain the utility's request, the BPU's reasoning for approving or denying it, the specific rate changes (current and new rates, total increase amount), customer impact, and other key details like the utility's rate of return. It directly affects residential and business customers of regulated utilities (like gas, electricity, water) who pay these rates. The goal is to make complex BPU decisions easier for the public to understand, rather than using technical legal language.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5661) requires New Jersey public utilities to notify customers about rate increase petitions filed with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It mandates that utilities include specific details - such as the filing summary, reasoning, customer impact, hearing information, and how to testify - in the first bill sent after the filing date. Utilities must also allow customers to opt in for email alerts about related public hearings. The law directly affects utility customers in New Jersey facing potential rate changes, ensuring they receive clear, timely information about proposed increases and how to participate in the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5655, "Stolen Vehicle Possession Accountability Act") increases penalties for repeat offenders who receive stolen vehicles. It makes a second or subsequent offense within 15 years a second-degree crime (previously third-degree), requiring offenders to serve 85% of their sentence without parole eligibility under New Jersey's "No Early Release Act." Juveniles adjudicated delinquent twice for the same offense must have their cases waived to adult court, with potential imprisonment up to 10 years. The law directly affects individuals convicted of multiple stolen vehicle offenses, both adults and juveniles, by imposing stricter sentencing requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to maintain FDA-approved opioid antidotes (like naloxone) in secure, accessible locations and develop policies for emergency use. It permits licensed campus medical staff and trained non-medical employees to administer antidotes in good faith when they reasonably believe someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. Institutions must ensure overdose victims are transported to hospitals after antidote administration and provide staff with required training on standardized protocols. The bill also provides liability protection for good-faith actions by campus staff, pharmacists, and prescribers under these guidelines.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.