Asm. Shanique Speight

Maddy summaryThis bill increases income thresholds for three Medicaid eligibility groups in New Jersey from 100% to 138% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled (ABD); those qualifying as "medically needy" by deducting medical expenses from income; and participants in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program. For an individual, this means the ABD income limit would rise from $15,650 to $21,597 annually in 2025, while the medically needy monthly income limit would increase from $367 to $1,800. The bill aligns the ABD income threshold with that for younger, non-disabled Medicaid beneficiaries and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to seek necessary federal waivers for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates May 18 of each year as "Six Triple Eight Day" in New Jersey to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-African American, all-female U.S. Army unit that served during World War II. The resolution commemorates their historic achievement in delivering over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail to U.S. personnel in Europe under difficult conditions. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The resolution specifically recognizes that 28 New Jersey women served in the unit, including those from Allentown, where one member was born on May 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's State Police Retirement System (SPRS) to purchase retirement credit for time spent in military service academies (such as West Point or the Naval Academy), in the New Jersey State Police Academy, or as a class two special law enforcement officer before joining the police force. It amends existing law to permit purchasing credit for these specific service periods by paying into the retirement system's annuity savings fund, with options for installment payments over up to 10 years. The bill specifies that credit purchased for military academy enrollment, police academy training, or special law enforcement officer employment will be treated the same as actual police service for retirement benefit calculations. This applies to current and future SPRS members who want to count these pre-service periods toward their retirement eligibility and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have New Jersey join the Social Work Licensure Compact, allowing social workers licensed in New Jersey to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact establishes a system where social workers must meet specific requirements (including passing national exams, holding appropriate degrees, and completing supervised practice) to qualify for a multistate license. It creates a commission to manage the compact, handle data sharing among states, and address disciplinary actions. The compact aims to increase access to social work services, reduce duplicate licensing requirements, and support workforce mobility for social workers across member states. This would directly affect social workers seeking to practice in multiple states and the states' licensing authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "funeral arranger" license category in New Jersey, allowing individuals to arrange funerals without needing to be trained in embalming. Currently, New Jersey's 70-year-old Mortuary Science Act requires funeral professionals to be licensed as "practitioners of mortuary science," which includes proficiency in both funeral directing and embalming. The new license would enable people who don't want to learn embalming (for religious, cultural, environmental, or personal reasons) to enter the funeral services profession. The bill modifies licensing requirements, including examinations that exclude embalming content, while maintaining the existing requirements for mortuary science practitioners. This change aims to better accommodate New Jersey's diverse population and increasing preference for cremation or burial without embalming.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates 5% of constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenues to a new Urban Agriculture and Horticulture Fund starting in fiscal year 2026, with $25 million to be deposited immediately. It authorizes the Garden State Preservation Trust to acquire urban land for farming and gardening purposes, prioritizing small parcels, and lease this land for agricultural use through a competitive bidding process. The bill also establishes a grant program to support activities that improve soil health and climate resiliency on acquired urban farmland. Additionally, it expands existing county and municipal trust funds to specifically include urban agriculture and horticulture as a purpose for land acquisition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including private insurers, health maintenance organizations, and state programs like Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) - to cover planned home childbirth expenses. It mandates coverage for costs related to services provided by certified midwives, physicians, nurses, and doulas, as well as necessary medical equipment and supplies. The law applies to hospital service contracts, individual/group health policies, and state health benefit programs, with most provisions taking effect 120 days after enactment and Medicaid coverage requiring two years. It defines "health care provider" to include certified midwives, obstetricians, and other licensed professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state contracting agencies to award at least 30% of contracts to businesses owned by people who are socially or economically disadvantaged. Socially disadvantaged businesses include those owned by racial minorities, individuals with disabilities, or those facing disadvantages due to location or other factors. Economically disadvantaged businesses are those with limited capital, credit access, or low personal net worth compared to similar businesses. Agencies must create annual plans with the state department to meet this goal and adjust targets based on data.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the title of New Jersey's "Chief Diversity Officer" to "Chief Equity Officer" and creates the "New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities" within the Department of the Treasury. The new Office will support the Chief Equity Officer in monitoring state contracts awarded to "small and diverse business enterprises" (including minority-owned, women-owned, economically disadvantaged, socially disadvantaged, and disabled veterans' businesses), processing business certifications, and developing outreach programs. State agencies must submit annual procurement plans and data to the Office, which will analyze these plans and provide feedback to improve contracting with diverse businesses. The Chief Equity Officer will report directly to the State Treasurer and oversee all efforts to increase transparency and participation of diverse businesses in state procurement.