Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services and Department of Health to jointly study how federal Medicaid funding cuts (from H.R.1/Pub.L.119-21) would impact the state. The study must analyze effects on hospitals, long-term care facilities, transportation providers, Medicaid eligibility, and state/local budgets. The departments must complete the study within 90 days and submit a public report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for maintaining Medicaid services. The bill expires once the report is submitted. It is a procedural study mandate, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board's role to implement an annual progress review program for New Jersey's child advocacy centers and teams, ensuring they meet national accreditation standards. It also creates a new "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program" to support youth under 18 exhibiting developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviors (including tech-related issues like sexting), with $8.5 million in funding. The program will use specialized care coordinators to connect affected youth and families with medical, mental health, and community resources. It directly affects child advocacy centers, multidisciplinary teams, and youth/families experiencing these behavioral challenges. The bill amends existing law to establish these requirements and funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3592) would allow NJ FamilyCare to reimburse for multiple specialty medical visits at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on the same day for enrollees, under specific conditions. It requires the referring provider to document medical necessity for each visit and mandates that each visit be with a different specialty provider. The change would directly affect NJ FamilyCare enrollees needing multiple same-day specialty appointments and the FQHCs serving them. The bill explicitly states it cannot override federal Medicaid rules, and currently, NJ FamilyCare typically limits coverage to one FQHC visit per day unless special circumstances apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3366) would make it professional misconduct for licensed health care professionals (like doctors, nurses, and therapists) to intentionally share false health-related information with patients. It defines "misinformation" as any false health claim and "disinformation" as deliberately misleading health information. Licensing boards would then have the authority to discipline professionals who violate this rule, with penalties determined by the severity of the false claims. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Health Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThe "Healthy Smiles Act" increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 1, 2025 (or 60 days after enactment), with annual adjustments based on regional inflation. It also requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate for identical services as the fee-for-service rate. This directly affects children under 21 enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (covering 20% of New Jersey’s population) and dental providers participating in the program. The goal is to improve access to dental care by addressing historically low reimbursement rates that have limited provider participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to cover FDA-approved anti-obesity medications for eligible individuals. It mandates coverage when a patient has a diagnosed obesity or related condition, receives a prescription from a licensed provider (physician, PA, or nurse), and obtains the medication through an approved pharmacy. Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare coverage depends on securing federal approval for necessary program waivers. The law applies to all four programs for members meeting these medical criteria, aiming to expand access to weight management treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes requiring owners of low-speed electric bicycles (max 20 mph, pedal-assisted or motor-only) and low-speed electric scooters (max 19 mph) to register them with New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and maintain liability insurance. It directly affects individuals who own or operate these specific vehicles, which are defined in the bill as having fully operable pedals, motors under 750 watts, and speed limits. Key mechanisms include mandatory MVC registration with fees, proof of insurance coverage, and a requirement for manufacturers to label vehicles with speed and motor details. The bill does not impose driver's license requirements or restrict operation on most roads/bike paths, but specifies registration is mandatory before operation. This is a proposed requirement (not yet law), introduced in 2026 and pending committee review.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides temporary mortgage relief to homeowners directly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 flooding. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a one-year payment pause (forbearance) to eligible homeowners who received federal disaster aid for storm-damaged primary residences, meet income limits (under 150% of median income), and have limited savings. During this period, servicers cannot charge fees, penalties, or report negative credit information, and must halt foreclosure actions. The relief applies only to those who obtained FEMA or similar federal assistance for damage sustained to their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs to cover medically tailored nutrition services for enrollees diagnosed with specific health conditions. It mandates coverage for 10 ready-to-eat medically tailored meals weekly for conditions like heart failure and type 2 diabetes, medically tailored foods for 14 meals weekly for type 2 diabetes or obesity, $25+ weekly food subsidies for pre-diabetes or hypertension, and medical nutrition therapy for diabetes or kidney disease. All services must be prescribed by a doctor and designed by a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist as part of a treatment plan. The bill applies directly to eligible Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees with these diagnosed conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Supreme Court to automatically dismiss unresolved municipal court charges, complaints, and arrest warrants for specific low-level offenses that have remained pending for five years or longer. It applies to offenses like shoplifting under $200, minor assault, disorderly conduct, and possession of small amounts of marijuana (50g or less), but excludes violations of municipal ordinances. The bill also mandates that the state's Administrative Office of the Courts conduct two studies within six months: one on expanding existing dismissal programs and another on implementing a voluntary surrender program for non-violent offenses. These provisions aim to reduce court backlogs and eliminate outdated legal actions against individuals.