Rep. Harold J. Wirths

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards (e.g., for nursing, engineering, or cosmetology) to track how long other states take to approve initial license applications. Boards must calculate a national average approval time based on data from other states and adopt it as their official timeline for processing new licenses. If a board misses this average, it must use licensing fees to hire experts who identify efficiency improvements to meet the standard. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually, with boards retaining fee revenue until they meet the national average timeline.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) certified in other U.S. states, territories, or Puerto Rico to work in New Jersey without retaking certification exams, provided their home state's standards meet or exceed New Jersey's. It requires all applicants to undergo a criminal history background check through state and federal databases, with disqualification for convictions involving violence, arson, drug offenses, or other specified crimes. Existing EMTs must also complete this background check during their next recertification. The law mandates biennial background checks for all certified EMTs as part of renewal.

Maddy summaryS 652 allows municipalities with a population of 30,000 or less to have their governing body (such as a city council or township committee) serve as the local board of health, eliminating the need for a separate board. It amends state law to permit this structure and validates all previous actions taken by such governing bodies acting as the board of health. This change applies to all qualifying municipalities across New Jersey and ensures past public health decisions remain legally recognized.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that farms selling firewood from sources other than their own property (e.g., farmstands or agricultural operations) are not classified as "lumber yards" under local regulations. It prohibits selling untreated firewood obtained from outside New Jersey at these farm locations unless the wood is heat-treated and certified pest-free by its state of origin. The law directly affects farmers, farmstands, and agricultural businesses that sell firewood, as well as consumers purchasing such wood. Key provisions require certification for out-of-state firewood to prevent the spread of pests, while exempting wood sourced from the seller’s own land. The bill took effect immediately upon approval.