Rep. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing requirement for health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. It specifically requires coverage for annual screenings - including digital rectal exams and PSA tests - for men aged 50 and older (asymptomatic) and men aged 40 and older with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The law applies to most health insurance plans, including high-deductible plans where permitted by federal law, and mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition." It does not alter existing coverage for other preventive services but ensures no cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) applies to these specific screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments in New Jersey to hold a public referendum before issuing general obligation bonds, which are loans used to fund major projects like schools or infrastructure. Under the new rule, a local unit must first publish details about the proposed debt and hold a hearing where residents can voice their opinions before a vote is scheduled. The legislation amends existing state laws to ensure that borrowing decisions are directly approved by the voters rather than solely by local officials. This change directly affects municipalities, school districts, and other local entities that currently have the authority to issue bonds without a direct public vote.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school principals and teachers to lead a daily two-sentence oral recitation of the Declaration of Independence for students in grades three through twelve. The recitation must occur before each school day begins, immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance, and includes the famous passage about equality and unalienable rights. The legislation also mandates that schools develop age-appropriate curricula explaining the historical context of these words and provides $10,000 in funding to distribute official notices to educators. The act includes exemptions for students with conscientious objections and children of foreign diplomatic representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends foreclosure protections for homeowners in New Jersey who were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. It allows eligible homeowners to apply for a forbearance, which pauses mortgage payments, by submitting an application to the Department of Community Affairs. To qualify, applicants must prove they are storm-impacted homeowners with a mortgage on their primary residence and provide specific documentation. If approved, the forbearance period lasts for two years, giving borrowers time to recover financially without facing immediate foreclosure actions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign focused on Alzheimer's disease. The program would educate the general public on symptoms and early detection while providing specialized training for law enforcement, firefighters, and social workers to better assist affected individuals. Additionally, the department must publish easy-to-understand information about the disease in both English and Spanish on its website. The initiative relies on available state funds and may accept external grants or services to support its efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program within the New Jersey Department of Health to improve awareness and access to lung cancer screening for first responders and veterans. The initiative will coordinate education and referral efforts to help these high-risk groups learn about low-dose computed tomography screening, which is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history. The Department of Health will manage the program in consultation with the Adjutant General and the Attorney General to ensure eligible individuals can connect with existing public and private coverage options. By establishing this specific outreach strategy, the legislation aims to address current gaps in the state's cancer control efforts for these populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act to create exemptions and clarify zoning rules for specific development projects along commercial corridors in the Highlands Region. It primarily affects municipalities and developers by defining "commercial corridors" as areas fronting major roads that are necessary for local economic viability, allowing for more flexible planning in these zones. The legislation also updates legal definitions for terms such as agricultural use, construction materials facilities, and environmental permits to ensure clarity in future land-use decisions. By modifying these specific sections of existing law, the bill aims to streamline development processes while maintaining oversight within the protected region.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey public utilities to stop collecting the "societal benefits charge" from all customers and instead provide a one-time direct payment to every residential electricity and gas account. The legislation requires utilities to refund any money already collected through this charge and mandates that the Board of Public Utilities distribute those funds as a universal bill credit within 30 days. Additionally, the bill shifts the funding source for programs previously supported by the charge to the state's annual budget and prohibits future utility rates from including this specific fee.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities are appointed and what qualifications they must have. It requires the Governor to fill all board vacancies within 90 days of the law taking effect, setting initial terms of two to six years so that board seats are staggered. Going forward, every new member will serve a six-year term, and the board must include at least one person with experience in energy affordability and consumer protection, as well as at least one person with experience in grid engineering or utility operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey that would prohibit municipalities from using exclusionary zoning practices that prevent the development of low and moderate income housing. The amendment clarifies that while towns cannot restrict housing options for lower-income residents, they are not required to actually build or fund affordable housing units themselves. This change would shift legal remedies from forcing specific housing projects to allowing courts to strike down discriminatory zoning ordinances instead. The measure would affect all New Jersey municipalities and aims to address long-standing housing disputes under the Mount Laurel doctrine by limiting what local governments must do regarding affordable housing construction.