Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates tiered retirement benefits in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), moving all current non-retired members to the "Tier 1" benefit level previously available to members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) into PERS within 60 days, and automatically transfers service credit from the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) to PERS for DCRP participants - without transferring their contributions - unless they opt out within six months. Disability recipients under long-term insurance become eligible for disability retirement benefits if they apply within two years. Changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill's effective date.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows energy companies to build transmission and distribution infrastructure (like power lines) on farmland protected by conservation easements, but only under strict conditions. It requires projects to stay within a 50-foot right-of-way near the preserved farmland's edge, prohibits on-site energy generation, and mandates landowner approval. Projects meeting these rules automatically clear without committee review, while others require a 90-day application process where easement holders get 30 days to comment. The State Agriculture Development Committee must balance agricultural use against New Jersey’s energy needs when reviewing non-compliant requests.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary vehicles displaying warning lights, including public utility vehicles (and vehicles owned/leased by their employees or family members), emergency vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and disabled vehicles. Drivers must move over if safe, or reduce speed below the limit and be prepared to stop if lane changes aren't possible. Violations carry fines of $100-$500, with two additional penalty points for three offenses within 12 months. The bill also mandates a public awareness campaign to inform drivers about these rules, the risks of non-compliance, and associated penalties.
Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause to the same extent as coverage for other medical conditions. Covered treatments include hormonal therapies, non-hormonal medications, behavioral health services, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health screenings and treatments, preventative services for related conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and counseling. The law applies to all health insurance carriers in the state, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations. Insurers must also provide clear information about covered treatments to policyholders. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to create a statewide policy for K-12 schools within 90 days, addressing student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policy must include age-appropriate rules (like banning non-academic phone use in class), emergency exceptions, accommodations for students with special needs, and options for device storage. School districts must adopt a policy consistent with the DOE's framework by the start of the next full school year, though they may apply for exemptions. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and staff across New Jersey, focusing on standardizing device use rules while allowing districts to implement stricter policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Access Link paratransit vehicle operators in New Jersey to announce every scheduled stop, either verbally or via a recording system. It directly affects passengers using Access Link (a paratransit service for people with disabilities under the ADA) and the drivers or operators of those vehicles. Currently, only fixed-route transit operators must announce stops, but Access Link paratransit services are not subject to this requirement. The bill would mandate stop announcements for all Access Link routes, improving accessibility for riders who cannot see route information.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants in New Jersey to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity charge to customers through multiple prominent methods: on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website (if applicable). It directly affects restaurants that impose mandatory service charges, making failure to disclose a violation of the Consumer Fraud Act. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for repeat offenses, plus potential cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, and triple damages for affected patrons. The law takes effect three months after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collect and review electricity load-forecasting data from utilities and load-serving entities (non-utility electricity providers). It mandates the BPU to analyze this data - including contracts and commitments affecting future demand - and coordinate with PJM (the regional grid operator) to ensure forecasts are accurate, non-duplicative, and incorporated into regional planning. The BPU must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature starting in 2026, summarizing collected data, analysis, and coordination efforts. The goal is to prevent costly overbuilding or underbuilding of grid infrastructure by improving forecasting transparency for consumers and system reliability.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $55 million from existing constitutionally dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds will finance specific capital projects for state parks and recreation areas, including boating access facilities, campground improvements, habitat enhancements, bridge and building repairs, and historic structure maintenance. The allocation details $55 million across 16 categories, such as $13.2 million for recreational development and $10 million for health/safety projects. These projects directly affect state park infrastructure and public access to New Jersey's conservation lands managed by the DEP.