Asm. Alixon Collazos-Gill

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3723) requires licensed healthcare providers offering prenatal care to offer and provide, upon request, a screening for postpartum depression to pregnant patients with a history of depression. It directly affects pregnant individuals with prior depression diagnoses by adding a specific screening step during prenatal visits. Key provisions include mandating education about postpartum depression for patients and families, requiring screenings before birthing facility discharge and at early postnatal visits, and involving partners/family in education and support. The bill amends existing law (P.L.2000, c.167) to expand screening requirements beyond current universal postnatal checks.

Maddy summaryThis 1983 New Jersey bill creates state programs to reserve government contracts for certified businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. It requires the state’s Economic Development Authority to establish certification standards and set-aside programs, ensuring these businesses can compete for state contracts. To qualify, businesses must be 51% owned and controlled by members of one of these groups, certified by the Division of Revenue, and independently operated. The bill aims to increase economic opportunities for these communities by providing targeted financial and technical assistance through state procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey health insurance companies and health plans from using a person's body weight to decide whether to cover treatment for eating disorders. It directly affects individuals seeking eating disorder care by ensuring coverage decisions aren't based on weight, which can prevent discrimination in treatment access. The law requires insurers to cover medically necessary treatments without considering weight as a factor, applying to all health plans delivered or renewed after the effective date. It takes effect 90 days after enactment, with "carrier" defined to include all authorized health insurers in the state.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 3711 requires all public school districts to add age-appropriate lessons on interacting with law enforcement to social studies curriculum starting in 2018-2019. It mandates teaching students about police responsibilities for public safety, individual duties to follow lawful directives, and legal rights during police interactions. The bill specifies two curriculum tiers: basic lessons for K-4 students and more detailed instruction for grades 5-12. An advisory committee - including police unions, civil rights groups, and education organizations - will help develop the materials, with the Commissioner of Education overseeing implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) from charging toll payers or E-ZPass account holders any fees for processing credit card or electronic payments. The NJTA must absorb these processing costs within its existing operating budget instead of passing them to customers. The bill codifies the NJTA’s current practice of not charging these fees, ensuring toll payers won’t face additional costs for using credit cards or electronic payment methods. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large supermarkets (over 16,000 sq ft), grocery stores, and food suppliers to make a reasonable effort to donate surplus food that is safe for human consumption but would otherwise be discarded. The donation must cover food fit for consumption (including perishable items like produce, dairy, and prepared foods), but not spoiled or unsafe items. Covered businesses must donate to food banks, nonprofits, or directly to people, with donations limited to covering only handling costs. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $7.5 million annually from existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue to create a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund." The funds will be used by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to acquire land in the Highlands Region for recreation, conservation, farmland preservation, and as a state match for federal conservation grants. Specifically, $5 million comes from the Green Acres Fund and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation Fund. The bill establishes clear spending rules, requiring project-specific appropriations and annual reporting on land preserved and federal funds leveraged.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to provide basic life support (BLS) ambulance services as an essential service for their residents. Municipalities must arrange these services through one of four options: licensing private companies, contracting with public/private/nonprofit entities, entering mutual aid agreements with other towns, or partnering with hospitals. The bill also creates a state appropriation to reimburse municipalities for the costs of establishing these services. It defines BLS as pre-hospital care including CPR, wound care, and fracture stabilization, and amends prior laws to clarify hospital partnerships for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement for all New Jersey students. It directly affects every high school student in the state by removing a mandated test as a condition for earning a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide proficiency test" from existing graduation statutes (including sections of P.L.1979, c.241), shifting responsibility to local school districts to set their own graduation standards. This change means students will no longer need to pass a state-administered test to graduate, though local districts must still establish and monitor proficiency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.