Asm. Gabe Rodriguez

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows surviving spouses of retired police and firefighters (PFRS members) who died while receiving disability retirement benefits to keep state-paid health coverage and continue receiving their pension after remarriage. Specifically, if the retiree's death was linked to a disability (through injury, complications, or worsening of a preexisting condition), the surviving spouse qualifies for full state-funded health benefits under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and can receive their pension without termination upon remarriage. The state will cover all health insurance premiums for the spouse and dependent children, and also handle any increased retirement system costs from continuing payments. This applies to deaths occurring before, during, or after the bill's effective date, with retroactive reinstatement possible for those previously denied benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services to support immigrants, refugees, and their children. The office will coordinate key services - including refugee resettlement, health screenings, and legal aid for low-income New Americans - and provide training to other state agencies on culturally responsive outreach. It requires the office to use data solely for integration efforts (like language access planning) and prohibits sharing data with immigration enforcement. The bill formalizes an existing office created by executive order in 2019, ensuring dedicated staffing and resources for New American communities.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Resolution 148 condemns a federal agreement that allows the Internal Revenue Service to share private taxpayer data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for immigration enforcement purposes. The resolution argues that this policy violates federal privacy laws and undermines the voluntary nature of the tax system, particularly affecting immigrant communities in New Jersey who contribute significantly to state and local taxes. It demands that the federal government immediately reverse this information-sharing arrangement and commit to keeping the IRS out of immigration enforcement. Copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the President, Vice President, relevant federal department secretaries, and members of Congress from New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5361 mandates the state Governor to declare a child welfare emergency in response to the detention of children in federal immigration facilities. The bill requires the Department of Children and Families to develop a comprehensive response plan within 60 days that directs caseworkers to conduct unannounced visits and inspections of these facilities to assess child safety. Key provisions include automatic appointment of legal guardians for detained children, rapid investigation timelines for abuse allegations, and protocols for removing children who have suffered serious injuries. The department must also coordinate with various state agencies and community organizations to provide collaborative support, while publishing the response plan on its website and updating it annually.