Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1439 requires health insurance plans (including hospital, medical, health service, and individual policies) to cover orthotic and prosthetic appliances from licensed providers - including podiatrists - when medically necessary for daily activities. It also mandates coverage for *additional* appliances needed for specific sports and recreational activities like running, swimming, skiing, and team sports, as determined by a physician. Insurance plans must reimburse at the same rate as federal Medicare for these appliances. This applies to all relevant health insurance contracts in New Jersey, directly affecting insured individuals needing these devices for mobility or recreation.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires health insurance plans to cover additional orthotic and prosthetic appliances when a physician determines they're necessary for physical and recreational activities like running, biking, swimming, and sports. It expands current coverage requirements, which already mandate coverage for basic orthotic and prosthetic appliances that are medically necessary, to include additional devices needed for recreational activities. The bill applies to all health insurance contracts in New Jersey, including hospital, medical, and health service corporations, and requires reimbursement at the same rate as federal Medicare. It would take effect 90 days after enactment for policies issued or renewed after that date.

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 summaryS 3466 extends the special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs in the Highlands Region through 2029, requiring landowners to be provided with two appraisal values when selling property for preservation. The bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation, with $5 million for recreation and conservation and $2.5 million for farmland preservation. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" to support land acquisition and conservation efforts in the Highlands Region, including matching federal funding for watershed protection. The bill also requires distributing state aid to municipalities hosting watershed lands that don't receive existing watershed moratorium offset aid.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 179) adopts five articles of impeachment against New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, formally initiating impeachment proceedings. It alleges he failed to address issues within state law enforcement units (Division of Criminal Justice and OPIA), exceeded authority by unilaterally taking control of the Paterson Police Department, failed to defend state law in court, targeted pro-life pregnancy centers based on political views, and violated public trust. The resolution directs the General Assembly to present these articles to the Senate per New Jersey Constitution, Article VII, Section III. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new policy but follows the constitutional impeachment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5249) prohibits sports betting companies licensed in New Jersey from airing or funding advertisements for sports wagering on television broadcasts within the state. It specifically bans such ads on cable TV systems based in New Jersey, affecting sports wagering licensees, their employees, and contracted operators. The bill requires the Division of Gaming Enforcement to create rules and take legal action to enforce this advertising ban. The policy change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres and farmland preservation programs from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2029 for lands in the Highlands Region. It allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation in the Highlands Region. The funds will support two specific programs: the Highlands Open Space Partnership Funding program to acquire land for recreation and conservation, and the Highlands Development Credit Purchase Program to protect land with ecological or agricultural significance. The bill also requires distribution of State aid to municipalities within the Highlands Region that host watershed lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands automatic voter registration to applications for specific licenses and permits, including hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses, all around sportsman licenses, beaver trapping permits, wild turkey permits, deer permits, and firearms purchaser identification cards. Agencies like the Division of Fish and Wildlife and local police departments would automatically register eligible applicants to vote when they apply for these licenses, similar to the existing process at the Motor Vehicle Commission. Applicants would receive clear notices about the automatic registration option and be offered the chance to decline it. The bill requires these agencies to implement procedures for electronically transmitting voter registration information to the Secretary of State, building on current requirements already in place for the Motor Vehicle Commission.