Asm. Michele Matsikoudis

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and state health programs from requiring pre-approval or precertification for medical tests, procedures, or prescription drugs that are already covered under a health plan and prescribed by a licensed doctor. It directly affects patients and healthcare providers by eliminating bureaucratic delays that currently delay care - such as cancer patients waiting for medication due to slow insurance reviews. The law requires insurers to pay for covered services as prescribed, without additional approval steps. It applies immediately to all health plans issued or purchased on or after the effective date.

Maddy summaryS 3587 upgrades retail theft offenses in New Jersey, including elevating "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime punishable by 10-20 years in prison. The bill creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales), which is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail. It establishes a retail theft unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, appropriating $1 million for this purpose. The bill also includes new requirements for gift card sales to prevent fraud, such as mandatory notices for retailers and packaging restrictions for both open- and closed-loop gift cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to create written policies allowing students to use sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing (like hats and sunglasses) outdoors during school and school events. It prohibits schools from demanding doctor’s notes for students to use these items and allows districts to require only parental permission for students to carry sunscreen. The policy must not mandate school staff to help students apply sunscreen. The law took effect in the first full school year after its passage in March 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to create written policies allowing students to use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing (like hats and sunglasses) during outdoor school activities and school events. It specifically prohibits schools from demanding medical documentation from students or parents to authorize sunscreen or protective clothing use. The policy must apply to all students equally without requiring physician notes. The law takes effect in the first full school year after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and the State Health Benefits Program in New Jersey to cover medically necessary ovarian cancer screening for women with symptoms or at higher risk. Specifically, it mandates coverage for annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood tests (like CA-125 markers) as part of routine screening. The law applies to all individual, group, small employer, and state-purchased health plans issued or renewed after its effective date. This ensures consistent access to these diagnostic services without additional cost to patients who qualify under the specified criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5456) makes human trafficking crimes subject to New Jersey's No Early Release Act (NERA) sentencing rules. It directly affects individuals convicted of human trafficking (N.J.S.2C:13-8), assisting in trafficking (N.J.S.2C:13-9), and commercial sexual abuse of minors (N.J.S.2C:13-10). The key change requires offenders to serve 85% of their sentence before parole eligibility - increasing the minimum from 20 years to 24 years for first-degree trafficking - and adds mandatory parole supervision (5 years for first-degree offenses). These provisions apply to all convictions for these specific trafficking-related crimes under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would automatically qualify certain child care workers for state-subsidized child care services, regardless of their family income. It defines a "qualifying child care worker" as an educator or staff member employed at least 20 hours weekly by a licensed child care center or registered family child care provider. The state must verify employment through a new process and seek federal approvals to maintain funding under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act. This policy directly affects child care workers in New Jersey’s licensed facilities, making child care more affordable for them without changing income requirements for other program participants.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5417 allows military working dogs to be buried at state-operated veterans' memorial cemeteries, including the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. The bill defines "military working dog" as a dog that performed or currently performs Department of Defense services like tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, or attack. This policy change directly affects military working dogs and their handlers by providing a dignified burial option at state facilities. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, requiring no further administrative steps for eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires prior written approval from New Jersey's Commissioner of Education for publicly funded out-of-state travel by employees and board members of school districts receiving 70% or more of their revenue from state aid, as reported in the Taxpayers' Guide to Education Spending. It applies specifically to school districts meeting this funding threshold, directly affecting their superintendents and board members when planning such travel. The key mechanism mandates that superintendents must obtain the Commissioner's approval before seeking internal board approval for employee travel, and school boards must get the Commissioner's approval before seeking majority board approval for board member travel. The bill does not alter existing rules for districts below the 70% state aid threshold.