Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and birthing centers that provide maternity services to create written policies allowing patients to select a doula (a trained support person) to be present during labor, birth, and postpartum. Facilities must provide these policies in writing to medical staff, patients, and others upon request, post a summary online, and appoint a staff liaison to connect with doulas and organizations. The policies must be adopted within 180 days of the bill's immediate effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's child care subsidy payments to licensed providers and registered family day care centers to be based on the number of enrolled children (not actual attendance) on October 15 and April 15 each year. It directly affects child care providers serving low-income families who rely on state subsidies for funding. The key change ends current practice of basing payments on daily attendance, aiming to provide more stable income amid pandemic-related enrollment fluctuations. The bill also directs the state to seek necessary federal waivers to maintain funding eligibility for these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 20% refundable gross income tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who are permanently disabled or age 65+. It applies to expenses paid to a registered health care service firm for in-home companion, health care, or personal care services provided at the taxpayer's residence. The credit excludes expenses reimbursed by insurance and is applied after other tax credits. It directly affects low-to-moderate income seniors and disabled residents needing in-home care support.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with 20+ full-time employees (or public employers) to provide 15 days of paid leave per year and an unpaid leave of absence for employees serving in elected office at the state, county, or municipal level. Employees must submit a written request, and the leave cannot interrupt their earned benefits, seniority, or privileges. Employers are not required to pay for their portion of employee benefits during the unpaid leave period but must continue paying for benefits while the employee uses the 15 paid days. The provision does not apply to individuals running for office or not yet holding elected positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover at-home rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from injuries or illnesses. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and all individual and group health insurance policies. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical treatments and must include services delivered within a patient's home using medical equipment. The bill defines "at-home rehabilitation" as treatment for functional physical or mental impairments due to injury or disease, administered within the individual's home. This change aims to make rehabilitation more accessible for people who face challenges traveling to facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecommunications and cable service providers to remove abandoned lines (defined as lines not terminated at both ends, not maintained safely, not intended for future use, or not in operation for 24+ months) and to mark lines with their identifying information. It specifically targets retired copper telephone lines, requiring owners to submit removal plans within 12 months and complete removal within 10 years (with at least 10% removed annually). Entities must report on abandoned line requests to the Board of Public Utilities every 90 days and provide customers with information about their rights to request line removal. Failure to comply may result in fines up to $1,000 per day. The bill primarily affects telecommunications companies and utility providers across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nonpublic schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to provide free lunches to all students, including those from middle-income families. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to students from households with annual incomes up to 249% of the federal poverty level during the 2024-2025 school year. The State would provide funding to reimburse participating schools for the costs of serving these free meals. This applies to both public and nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Mental Health Access Act (A555), increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health services in New Jersey. It requires Medicaid to pay providers at least the Medicare rate for evidence-based outpatient counseling services (individual or group), provided the service is listed in the federal National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs or meets state-approved criteria. The policy directly affects licensed substance abuse treatment facilities and health professionals (under Title 45) who provide these services and bill Medicaid. The change applies to services provided on or after the effective date, which is four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey government entities - including municipalities, counties, school districts, and state agencies - to conduct an internal review of their cybersecurity systems. Each entity must evaluate current system security, identify high-risk issues, propose modernization strategies for networks and software, and suggest policy changes. The head of each entity must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 45 days of the bill's effective date. It does not create new cybersecurity standards but mandates systematic reviews across all government levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A564) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include "emergency, transitional, and permanent housing" as a permitted use of the "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." The fund, which is administered by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, currently receives civil penalties ($50-$500) imposed on domestic violence offenders and other designated funds. This change ensures that housing assistance for domestic violence victims is directly funded through this dedicated source, alongside existing services like shelter, legal advocacy, and transportation. The bill applies to all domestic violence victims in New Jersey receiving services through the Department of Children and Families.