Asm. Jessica Ramirez

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance plans (both hospital and medical service corporations) to cover specific lipedema treatments, directly affecting patients diagnosed with this chronic condition and their insurers. It mandates coverage for compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, medical nutrition therapy, mental health care, and medically necessary lipectomies (including pre- and post-surgery appointments). Insurers must accept physician diagnoses and surgeon documentation (including photos for diagnosis support) but cannot deny coverage based solely on photos, and must cover the full number of lipectomies deemed necessary by the surgeon. The bill also requires prior authorization for lipectomies to remain valid for one year without arbitrary revocation, aligning with existing prior authorization rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey state agencies to extend the 60-day cure period for certain business violations by an additional 30 days, if the agency determines denial would be contrary to equity and good conscience. It applies to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees (or equivalent) facing first-time violations that don’t endanger public safety, harm the environment, or affect employee income. The extension applies only to violations not related to criminal activity, intentional acts, labor laws, or federal program requirements. Agencies must provide written notice of the violation to trigger the cure period, and must report waived infractions annually on their public websites. The bill amends existing law (P.L.2023, c.28) to add this extension provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey-India Commission, a 35- to 45-member advisory body appointed by the Governor, to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and India. The commission will focus on advancing trade and investment, promoting educational and cultural exchanges (including in science and technology), and studying policy issues for joint action. It operates without decision-making power, providing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its recommendations. The commission aims to support New Jersey’s large Indian-American community and its economic partnerships with India, building on existing ties like the 2019 trade mission that generated over 1,200 jobs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5421) requires New Jersey's Division of Taxation to create and maintain a free, online training program specifically for small and micro-businesses. The program will teach how to file and pay state taxes, including corporation business tax, gross income tax, and sales tax. It must be updated as tax laws change and made available on the Division's website. The bill directly affects small and micro-business owners who need guidance on New Jersey tax filing processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state and local agencies that provide funding or issue licenses for substance or alcohol use disorder treatment to assess providers for conflicts of interest before distributing funds or granting licenses. Providers must submit financial statements, lists of board members and investors, and details about staff with outside jobs. If a conflict is found that could affect care, the provider must fix it to regain eligibility for state support. The assessment must occur at least once annually, ensuring decisions aren't unduly influenced by outside financial interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail stores in New Jersey that sell gift cards to post a clear, visible notice at the gift card display area warning consumers about fraud risks and providing steps to take if fraud is suspected. It also mandates that these stores train employees on identifying and responding to gift card fraud, following guidelines to be established. Businesses failing to comply face a $1,000 civil penalty per violation. The law applies to all retail establishments selling gift cards to consumers, including stores and merchants.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large social media platforms (with 5 million+ global users) to cooperate with designated nonprofits in removing nonconsensual intimate images or videos - including AI-generated deceptive media - from their platforms. It directly affects victims of "revenge porn" (including minors), social media companies, and nonprofits like StopNCII.org working to remove such content. Key provisions mandate platforms to establish procedures for nonprofits to flag content, immediately remove flagged material pending review, and determine if images/videos were consensual. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $20,000 per offense. The law aims to address gaps in voluntary cooperation while defining nonconsensual content broadly to cover minors and AI-generated media.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's child endangerment statute to specifically address AI technology that can simulate sexual conduct with children. It creates a new fourth-degree crime for anyone who knowingly or recklessly causes or allows a child to be subjected to such AI-generated sexual conduct through the creation, control, possession, or promotion of the technology. The law includes an exception for AI systems designed to prevent sexual interaction with children, and violations would be punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. This amendment targets situations where AI chatbots or similar technology are deliberately programmed to engage in sexual interactions with children, as highlighted in recent reports.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires courts to inform victims and abusers about counseling services for children who were physically present during or witnessed domestic violence. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim (the non-abusive parent) in appropriate cases. Courts can now order counseling for affected children as part of domestic violence protection orders. The bill also expands court authority to require psychological evaluations and other protective measures. These changes aim to better protect children and victims in domestic violence cases by addressing their specific needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3007) raises the maximum age for residents in New Jersey pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26 years old. It directly affects these facilities and young adults aged 19-26 who currently may not qualify for such care under existing law. The key provision amends licensing requirements to allow facilities to admit and provide services to residents age 26 or younger. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules, and the change takes effect immediately. (Based on bill text, current law limits pediatric care to under age 19.)