Asm. Gabe Rodriguez

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the early voting period for primary and general elections in New Jersey by setting the start date at 11 calendar days before the election, up from 4 days for non-presidential primaries, 6 days for presidential primaries, and 10 days for general elections. It also allows municipalities holding May municipal elections to adopt an ordinance extending their early voting start date to 11 days before the election (from the current 4 days). The change provides voters with more time to cast ballots early, without altering the end date (second calendar day before the election). This directly affects all registered voters participating in these elections across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow any registered voter in New Jersey to vote in the primary election of any political party, regardless of their current party affiliation. Voters casting ballots in person at polling places would be able to change their party affiliation on election day by completing a political party declaration form at the polling location. Mail-in voters would be permitted to complete and return a primary ballot for any political party, which would automatically change their party affiliation to that party. The bill eliminates the current requirement that voters must declare a new party affiliation by the 55th day before a primary election. This change would establish an open primary system in New Jersey, providing voters with greater flexibility to participate in primaries of their choice.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits home improvement contractors in New Jersey from including full indemnification clauses in contracts with subcontractors. It specifically bans contractors from seeking full liability coverage for defects or poor workmanship, capping such indemnification at 50% of the cost. All home improvement contracts exceeding $500 must include a certification that the contractor will not seek full indemnification and will limit subcontractor liability to 50%. The law applies to all registered home improvement contractors under New Jersey's Contractors' Registration Act.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3962) requires all health insurance carriers in the state to cover hospitalization costs for people hospitalized due to COVID-19 without imposing any deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing fees. It directly affects patients receiving hospital care for COVID-19 and all health insurers operating in New Jersey, including major health plans and government programs like the State Health Benefits Program. The law takes effect immediately for all new or renewed health plans. It mandates that insurers cover these specific hospitalization expenses as part of existing coverage, removing financial barriers for affected individuals during the pandemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3965) requires governing boards of New Jersey's public colleges and universities to set tuition and fee rates for the next academic year during the Spring semester, after the Governor releases the annual budget. It directly affects public higher education institutions by mandating that their tuition schedules be finalized during a time when students, faculty, and staff are physically on campus. The key provision delays adoption until after the Governor's budget is issued and requires it to occur in the Spring semester, ensuring campus communities have the opportunity to provide input on proposed changes. The bill aims to increase transparency and engagement by aligning the timing with when campus stakeholders are present.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3889) requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. The court must order the defendant to complete counseling provided by a professional with demonstrated expertise in domestic violence, and the defendant must provide documentation of attendance. Completion of counseling is required before a restraining order can be dissolved. The bill applies to all relevant convictions occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force" in New Jersey to address fragmentation in the state's addiction treatment system. The task force will coordinate oversight currently split across multiple agencies - like the Department of Health (licensing treatment centers), Department of Community Affairs (sober homes), and Division of Human Services (community services) - which the bill states causes inefficiencies. It directly affects New Jersey residents seeking addiction treatment and the providers operating in this system, aiming to improve service coordination and address issues like fraud identified in a state investigation. The task force will develop best practices to streamline care and protect individuals accessing treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a five-year "Conception to Cradle Pilot Program" within New Jersey's Department of Education to provide integrated early childhood services. The program targets 50 public schools with the worst student performance in low-income communities, requiring them to partner with health and social service providers to offer prenatal care, pediatric health services, and developmental support for infants and toddlers from birth to age three. A nonprofit organization will manage the pilot, train school staff, assign site coordinators (employed by the nonprofit, not the school), and develop selection criteria prioritizing schools serving under-resourced communities. The program includes annual audits and an evaluation, funded through a dedicated nonlapsing state fund that may accept private contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3741) protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot terminate a tenancy, refuse to renew a lease, or deny a rental application based on a tenant’s victim status or prior lease termination under the New Jersey Safe Housing Act (P.L.2008, c.111). Tenants may provide documentation like restraining orders, medical records, or certification from domestic violence specialists to invoke these protections. Violating this law makes landlords liable for civil damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill amends existing tenant protection statutes (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 and 2A:18-61.1) to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on victim status.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly passed Resolution AR 105, urging Congress to enact legislation that would extend Medicare coverage to include eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures. Currently, Medicare does not cover these items, forcing seniors to pay out-of-pocket for essential devices they need for daily living. The resolution highlights that many older Americans face financial strain due to these costs, with 42% of elderly Medicare beneficiaries experiencing hearing loss and nearly all over 55 requiring vision correction. This is a formal request to Congress, not a binding law, aiming to address gaps in Medicare benefits for vulnerable seniors.