Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits towing companies in New Jersey from charging owners of stolen vehicles a fee to release their vehicles from storage facilities. Owners must provide a copy of the stolen vehicle police report to the towing company and are given 72 hours to retrieve the vehicle without any fee after being notified by law enforcement. If the vehicle isn't retrieved within 72 hours, towing companies may charge a storage fee for the extra days, but this fee must be paid directly by the vehicle's insurance company or, if uninsured, by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - not the owner. The law aims to prevent financial barriers for stolen vehicle recovery while clarifying payment responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThe Mental Health Access Act (A2500) requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to reimburse providers for specific outpatient behavioral health services at rates no lower than Medicare's rates. This directly affects licensed mental health professionals and facilities that provide evidence-based counseling (such as individual or group therapy for mental health, addiction, or emotional disorders) to Medicaid patients. The bill defines "evidence-based" as treatments meeting state criteria set by health officials and mandates that services must be delivered in outpatient settings. It also directs state agencies to seek federal approval for funding adjustments to cover the increased costs, with implementation beginning four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health (DOH) to apply for federal waivers to cover menstrual hygiene products (like tampons, pads, and cups) under NJ FamilyCare, SNAP (food stamps), and WIC programs. If the federal government denies the waiver, DHS must establish a state-funded benefit using $2 million from the General Fund, with eligibility determined through a household certification process for minors. The law mandates an educational campaign to inform program participants about the new benefit and applies to anyone enrolled in these specific public assistance programs who menstruates. The $2 million appropriation is contingent solely on federal denial of the waiver request.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to collect data on Haitian migrants in the state, regardless of their immigration status. It directs the Commissioner to gather this information from federal, state, local governments, and non-profit organizations to better understand the population needing assistance. The bill aims to help the state support Haitian migrants who have fled political instability and financial hardship, including those who arrived unannounced or without family support. The data collection will inform how the state can more efficiently provide aid to this community.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the Pension Adjustment Act (P.L.1958, c.143) for members of New Jersey's State-administered retirement systems. It directly affects retirees and beneficiaries of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The bill reverses a 2011 provision that had eliminated these automatic annual adjustments, ensuring benefits will adjust each year to help maintain purchasing power against inflation. By reinstating COLAs, the bill prevents gradual erosion of retirement benefits' value over time. This change provides concrete financial protection for retirees as the cost of living increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows parents or legal custodians separated from their children due to immigration matters (such as arrest, detention, incarceration, or removal) to appoint a standby guardian to care for their children. It amends New Jersey law to include "administrative separation" as a triggering event for standby guardianship, alongside death, incapacity, or debilitation. Parents can petition the court for appointment of a standby guardian or create a written designation naming a standby guardian without needing to provide documentation of impending immigration separation. The standby guardian must petition the court for confirmation within 60 days, providing a determination of administrative separation.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates an exception in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities. It would require these venues to become smoke-free, meaning no smoking would be permitted inside for employees, patrons, or visitors. The change directly affects casino operators, staff, and customers at all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities (such as those with slot machines, table games, or dedicated seating for betting). This policy shift extends the existing indoor smoking ban to these locations, removing a long-standing exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), a blood test performed at 10 weeks of pregnancy to screen for Down syndrome and chromosomal abnormalities. It mandates that hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers offer NIPT to all pregnant people, with the option to provide written refusal, and provide educational information about chromosomal abnormalities. Healthcare providers must discuss test results with patients and refer those with positive results to genetic counselors. The bill also requires insurers to cover the full cost of NIPT without cost-sharing for Medicaid recipients, applying to all health insurance contracts delivered, issued, or renewed in New Jersey after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create and distribute a multilingual resource guide about preeclampsia and gestational diabetes to all pregnant individuals receiving care in the state. The guide must explain symptoms, health effects on mother and baby, and communication strategies for healthcare concerns. Hospitals and birthing centers must provide the guide during patient intake, and the Department must also make it available online in printable format. The policy aims to improve health literacy and support for pregnant people during prenatal care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who pay for care of qualifying elderly relatives. It allows eligible caregivers to claim 22.5% of up to $3,000 in qualified care expenses (such as home health services, adult day care, or home modifications) paid for a senior family member who is 60+ (or 50+ with Social Security Disability) and meets income requirements. To qualify, caregivers must have gross income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filing statuses), and the credit is refundable - meaning it can be paid as cash if it exceeds tax liability. The credit applies to expenses not reimbursed by insurance or government programs and is in addition to any dependent deductions claimed.