Asm. Will Sampson

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transports from $58 to a minimum of $200 per transport. It directly affects ambulance providers who deliver emergency medical transportation to Medicaid patients across all Medicaid service models (fee-for-service and managed care). The key provision sets a mandatory minimum payment rate, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to implement the change through rules and secure federal funding approval. This policy change aims to address New Jersey's current rate being the lowest in the region, which is significantly below neighboring states' rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric facilities in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios (such as 1 nurse for every 4 medical/surgical patients, 1 nurse for every 2 critical care patients, and 1 unlicensed personnel for every 7 daytime patients) while mandating hospitals to implement an acuity-based staffing system to ensure adequate staffing levels. Hospitals found in violation may face civil penalties that increase with repeat offenses, with penalty revenue funding a dedicated "Patient Protection and Staffing Fund" to support nursing recruitment, retention, education, and inspector staffing. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Human Services to review staffing standards in developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals to align with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to connect people with disabilities to job training and employment opportunities. The program requires DOLWD, working with the Department of Human Services, to partner with qualified nonprofit organizations (with at least five years of disability-related experience) to provide job training, outreach, and employment services. It mandates an online resource hub listing training providers, allowing employers to post jobs, and including state labor law information. The program must be evaluated annually through a report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects job seekers with disabilities, qualifying training organizations, and employers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $70 million in federal pandemic recovery funds to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support arts and culture organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The EDA, in consultation with the State Council on the Arts, will distribute $50 million in grants for financial recovery (including $10 million specifically for arts education programs in schools and after-school settings) and $20 million for placemaking projects like public art installations, park beautification, and educational signage. Qualifying organizations - covering both non-profits and for-profit businesses - can use funds to offset pandemic-related revenue losses or build cash reserves for future disruptions. The funding comes directly from New Jersey's allocation of the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a two-year Sports Equipment Equity Pilot Program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Education. It awards grants to six selected school districts to provide students with sports equipment and resources for school athletic programs, prioritizing geographic and demographic diversity (southern/central/northern regions, urban/suburban/rural). School districts must apply with evidence of need and current equipment quality, and must submit post-program reports detailing student participation and program effectiveness. The program's success will determine if it continues or expands statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for implementing fire sprinkler systems in new townhouses from 7 to 25 months after the original law's enactment. It requires construction permit applications for new townhouses (defined as attached single-family homes with yard/public access on two sides) to include sprinkler system plans before being approved, unless the project had certain pre-existing approvals. Key exemptions include developments with prior municipal zoning approvals, affordable housing agreements, or building permits submitted before the new deadline. The bill also delays the timeline for the state to adopt sprinkler design rules from 5 to 13 months after this bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 102 urges Congress to address the consolidation of the ticket industry following the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which now controls about 70% of the ticketing market. The resolution cites excessive consumer fees, surge pricing, and reduced competition as key issues harming both ticket buyers and performers, with New Jersey contributing $6.8 billion annually to the live entertainment sector. It will be sent to New Jersey's congressional delegation and leadership as a formal request for federal action to resolve these market concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to automatically classify burglary of a residence as a second-degree crime, rather than the current third-degree classification. Specifically, it upgrades burglary involving any dwelling or structure adapted for overnight accommodation (regardless of whether weapons were used or injury occurred) to second-degree burglary. As a result, offenders convicted of this upgraded crime must serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole, per the No Early Release Act (NERA). This directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglaries, increasing their mandatory prison time compared to current third-degree burglary penalties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A513 would provide tuition-free classroom training for eligible apprentices in registered apprenticeship programs. It directly affects low-income individuals whose household income is below New Jersey's median (determined by U.S. Census data), who are enrolled in apprenticeships and meet specific criteria: their employer doesn't cover tuition, they've exhausted federal aid, and they maintain active apprenticeship employment with good academic standing. The bill requires public colleges and vocational schools to waive tuition for these courses, funded through existing state workforce development funds or Wagner-Peyser Act dollars. This policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for apprentices pursuing vocational training.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to increase penalties for false public alarms targeting places of worship. It defines a "place of worship" as a building seating over 50 people used permanently for religious services by a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Violations involving such locations become a second-degree crime (previously third-degree) and trigger a minimum $5,000 civil penalty - double the standard $2,000 penalty - plus reimbursement for emergency response costs. The law also requires annual reports from law enforcement on these offenses to the state's Office of Emergency Management.