Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and annually update a public awareness campaign focused on motorcycle safety. The campaign must include educational materials about motorcycle safety, information on distracted driving risks, and variable message signs promoting safe road-sharing practices between drivers and motorcyclists. It directly affects all New Jersey drivers and motorcyclists by aiming to reduce motorcycle-related accidents on state roads. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in every athletic facility and student center, placed in unlocked, accessible locations during normal operating hours. Institutions must also maintain a supply of naloxone nasal spray near each AED for opioid overdose emergencies, with a designated campus medical professional overseeing its administration and storage. Staff must include at least two trained individuals in CPR and AED use during facility hours, and all equipment must be regularly maintained per manufacturer guidelines. The bill provides legal immunity for institutions and staff acting in good faith to comply with these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) from charging fees for paper bills or notices to policyholders or program members. It directly affects consumers who choose paper billing instead of digital options, ensuring they won’t face extra costs for that preference. Insurers may still offer discounts for digital billing, but charging for paper delivery is banned. Violations could result in penalties up to $1,000 per fee charged, enforced by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution urges Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act, which currently classifies it as having "no accepted medical use" despite state legalization. It directly affects New Jersey residents and businesses by highlighting how federal Schedule I status prevents medical marijuana from being covered by health insurance, forces dispensaries to handle large cash amounts (increasing crime risks), and blocks banking access. The resolution cites state laws like the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act as evidence of marijuana's accepted medical value, conflicting with federal policy. As a non-binding resolution, it requests Congress take action but does not change federal law itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurers, third-party administrators, and state health benefit programs (like the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program) from requiring prior approval or precertification for covered prenatal ultrasound screenings. It directly affects patients seeking these screenings and the health plans that cover them, ensuring that if a licensed provider prescribes a prenatal ultrasound and it's covered under the plan, the insurer cannot delay or block coverage through pre-approval steps. The law applies immediately to all health plans issued or purchased on or after its effective date. This changes the process by removing a common administrative barrier for a specific type of prenatal care.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates the production and sale of "intoxicating hemp products" by setting specific THC concentration limits and requiring licensing. It defines intoxicating hemp products as those containing more than 0.5 milligrams of total THC per serving or 2.5 milligrams per package, which exceeds the 0.3% THC limit allowed for standard hemp products. Businesses selling these products must be licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, comply with product testing requirements, and cannot sell to anyone under 21 years old. Violations carry escalating fines: $100 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $10,000 for third and subsequent offenses. The bill directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived products with higher THC levels that could cause intoxication.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to provide a replacement scholarship to student-athletes who lose their athletic scholarship due to a sports-related injury or illness that makes them medically ineligible to compete. If an athletic scholarship is rescinded or not renewed because of such an injury or illness (as determined by the institution's medical staff), the school must offer a new scholarship equal in value for the remainder of the student's undergraduate degree program or up to five academic years total - whichever is shorter. It specifically covers injuries directly related to intercollegiate athletics that prevent continued participation. The bill applies only to public institutions of higher education in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires youth camps, recreation departments, and youth organizations (like Little Leagues, soccer leagues, and Police Athletic Leagues) to have an automated defibrillator on-site during youth athletic events held on public fields. It applies to any organization sponsoring youth sports events on municipal, county, school, or publicly-owned fields. Organizations can comply if a certified first responder with a defibrillator is present, and the bill grants legal immunity for those using defibrillators. The requirement must be met within 180 days of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow students in grades 6-12 who attend charter schools, county vocational schools, nonpublic schools, or receive homeschooling instruction to participate in interscholastic athletics in their district of residence if their current school doesn't sponsor that sport. Students would need to provide proof of residency, meet the same physical, academic, and behavioral requirements as public school students, and demonstrate they're receiving an academically equivalent education (for homeschoolers). The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association would handle any eligibility disputes. This would expand participation opportunities for students who currently face barriers to joining interscholastic sports teams in their local school districts.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 150) formally recognizes Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, as one of only two surviving Negro League stadiums in the U.S. and highlights its historical significance as a landmark honoring African American athletes. It specifically acknowledges the annual football rivalry game between Montclair State University and William Paterson University held at the stadium, calling it a cultural event that preserves the site's legacy. The resolution has no legal effect but serves to publicly affirm the stadium's importance through formal recognition. It directs copies to university leaders, the Governor, relevant legislators, and the New Jersey Historical Society. The resolution does not alter any laws or funding but aims to promote awareness of the stadium's role in sports history.