Asm. Shanique Speight

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 summaryThis bill allows registered nurses with a multistate license (under New Jersey’s 2019 Nurse Licensure Compact) to qualify for school nurse certification in New Jersey public schools. It directly affects nurses holding such licenses who seek to work as school nurses or substitutes, and school districts needing qualified nursing staff. The key change amends certification rules to accept multistate licenses as equivalent to New Jersey nursing licenses for school nurse endorsements. This removes a barrier for out-of-state nurses with valid multistate credentials, streamlining their eligibility to serve students, including those with complex medical needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the NJ FamilyCare Stabilization Fund, a special fund in the State Treasury to protect New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) for low-income residents. It requires annual transfers of 5% of the state's unreserved General Fund balance (e.g., $335 million for FY2026) into the fund. The fund can only be used to maintain existing NJ FamilyCare services if federal reimbursements drop by 15% or more year-over-year, with disbursements capped at 60% of the fund balance as of July 1 each year. The bill also mandates annual reports from the State Treasurer and Department of Human Services to the Legislature detailing fund status and usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care providers in New Jersey to provide patients with clear, detailed bills within 30 days after insurance processes a claim. The bills must list specific services and expenses by date (not using vague codes like "miscellaneous charges"), include drug names (brand/generic), and display a contact for billing disputes - without charging patients for these summaries. Providers must also offer plain-language versions upon request and include information about financial assistance programs. Health care facilities must respond to billing questions within 10 business days, with sensitive services (e.g., sexual health care) excluded unless specifically requested by the patient.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect victim support advocates and victim support care providers by prohibiting the online disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished phone numbers. It requires individuals or entities sharing such information online to remove it upon written notice from an authorized person (like a family member or legal representative). The law imposes criminal penalties for reckless or intentional violations but exempts news media from liability for past publications or directory listings where protection was requested. This directly affects victim support professionals by enhancing their privacy protections against online harassment risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey students receiving tuition aid grants (TAG) or opportunity grants (EOF) to use part of their annual award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their major. Students must notify the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (TAG) or the Secretary of Higher Education (EOF) before the academic year starts, and their regular academic year payments will be reduced proportionally. Institutions must annually report how many students used summer grants and their graduation rates within standard timeframes. The policy directly affects students in the state's grant programs and requires transparency in grant usage and outcomes, without counting summer use toward eligibility limits.

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 2134) automatically grants tenant protections under New Jersey's Relocation Assistance Act to renters displaced by fire in multi-unit buildings (two or more dwelling units). It defines "displaced person" to include tenants forced out when fire damage makes their rental unit uninhabitable, as certified by a housing inspector. Key provisions require landlords to offer displaced tenants the right of first refusal to return to their repaired unit (with amenities equal to or better than before the fire) and allow tenants to pay $1/month rent to maintain this right while the unit is uninhabitable. The bill removes the prior need for municipalities to pass separate resolutions to extend these protections to fire victims, streamlining access to relocation assistance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3472 requires all employers in the state to adopt written domestic violence policies and safety protocols developed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The DOLWD must create culturally competent policies covering employee training, response procedures for affected workers, bystander intervention education, and victim resources. Employers must implement these policies within one year of the bill's enactment and share them with all employees at least annually. This applies to every business and organization operating in New Jersey, mandating concrete policy changes to address domestic violence in the workplace.