Asm. Rosy Bagolie

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill creates a legal framework for pet insurance, requiring insurers to clearly explain coverage details to pet owners. It mandates that policies must define key terms like "preexisting condition," "hereditary disorder," and "chronic condition," and disclose all exclusions (e.g., for these conditions) and coverage limits. Pet owners in New Jersey receive a 30-day trial period to review policies and get full refunds if unsatisfied. The law applies to all pet insurance sold, solicited, or delivered in New Jersey, ensuring transparency in how coverage works.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A2564 requires all teaching certification candidates - both new graduates from approved educator programs and out-of-state teachers - to complete youth mental health education training by the 2027-2028 school year. This includes either a course or a state-developed online module covering youth mental health risks, creating safe classroom environments, and cultural competence. Approved educator programs must update their curricula to include this requirement and submit revisions to the Department of Education. Candidates with comparable training completed within the past five years may apply for an exemption. The bill applies directly to educators seeking or holding teaching certifications in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryAJR 32 is a procedural resolution proposing a rule change to New Jersey's evidence rules. It would allow evidence that a victim promptly reported sexual assault or employment discrimination to be admitted as a hearsay exception, specifically to address jury assumptions about delayed reporting. This change directly affects cases involving these crimes by enabling courts to consider timely complaint evidence without requiring the victim to testify about the report itself. The resolution, if adopted, would be implemented by the New Jersey Supreme Court under existing procedures, not by creating new law. It focuses on clarifying admissibility for factual evidence, not altering legal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-2543) establishes rules for peer-to-peer car sharing platforms in New Jersey, requiring them to cover third-party injury and property damage during shared vehicle trips. It mandates that platforms ensure insurance coverage meeting minimum state requirements (including liability limits from existing laws) for both vehicle owners and drivers during the "car sharing period." The law specifically excludes traditional rental companies and clarifies that shared vehicles aren’t classified as taxis or for-hire vehicles. It applies directly to platforms connecting car owners with drivers, owners, and drivers using these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) workers, including paramedics, EMTs, emergency medical supervisors, and other certified personnel who provide life support services. It requires these employees to join the "EMS Part" of PERS, pay a 10% salary contribution, and receive enhanced retirement benefits: 50% of their final salary for 20+ years of service, or a special option of 65% of final salary plus additional payments for 25+ years of service. Existing retirement credits will transfer to the new plan without extra cost to employees, and the bill also provides death benefits to beneficiaries equal to half the employee's final salary. The bill directly affects all eligible EMS employees in New Jersey state, county, and municipal roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting to students in grades three through five. It mandates that school districts incorporate specific curriculum activities to help students read cursive text and write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment, applying to all public school districts in the state. It directly affects elementary school students and educators responsible for implementing the curriculum.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3384) extends the time limit for human trafficking victims in New Jersey to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators. It changes the statute of limitations to allow victims to sue within 10 years of the trafficking incident, 10 years after turning 18 if they were minors during the abuse, or two years after discovering the injury and its connection to the trafficking. The bill also prevents the clock from starting until a continuing trafficking pattern ends, tolls the time during disabilities (like mental illness or intellectual disability), and blocks defendants from using the statute of limitations if they caused delays through intimidation or fraud. This directly affects human trafficking victims seeking civil remedies for harm caused by traffickers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey State colleges to close on Election Day for general elections, meaning no academic classes may be held on that date. It directly affects State colleges (such as Rutgers, NJIT, and others) and their students, faculty, and staff who would otherwise have classes scheduled. The key provision mandates that election days be treated as official academic holidays on college calendars, with no classes permitted. The law would take effect in the first full academic year following its enactment. This is a procedural bill focused solely on scheduling changes, not on voter access or election administration.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3117) requires all health insurance plans sold in the state - including hospital service contracts, medical service plans, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing at no additional cost to the patient. It directly affects individuals seeking testing for these breast cancer-related genes, as well as all health insurers operating in New Jersey. The law mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other medical condition," meaning patients won’t face extra out-of-pocket costs for this specific testing. It applies to all plans issued or renewed in New Jersey after the bill’s effective date.