Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services for individuals aged 21-44 experiencing infertility, with coverage limited to three treatment cycles per person. Infertility is defined as failure to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex for those 21-34 years old, or six months for those 35-44 years old. Covered medical services include office visits, hysterosalpingograms, pelvic ultrasounds, and blood testing, but not the drugs themselves for more than three cycles. The coverage is contingent on federal financial participation being available.

Maddy summaryAJR 150 designates July of each year as "Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution encourages community organizations, medical institutions, and advocacy groups to raise public awareness about cleft lip and palate birth defects - conditions affecting about 1 in 1,700 babies in the U.S. - and promote collaboration on outreach and research. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to support this awareness effort. The resolution directly affects New Jersey residents and families impacted by these birth defects by fostering community engagement and education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program (NJ FamilyCare) to pay inpatient hospitals the same rate for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs as it does for outpatient use. It directly affects hospitals and inpatient providers who treat patients with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The key mechanism mandates that reimbursement for these drugs in hospitals must be separate from standard hospital payment systems (DRGs) and match the outpatient rate, which reflects the actual drug cost. This change aims to ensure hospitals receive adequate reimbursement for these high-cost medications, which are designed to manage symptoms for up to 24 weeks with a single dose.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Emergency Services Part" within New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), specifically for qualifying emergency workers. It directly affects permanent, full-time emergency medical technicians, paramedics, fire inspectors, dispatchers, and other life-support service providers who hold active certifications. The key provision requires these employees to be enrolled in this new retirement category (with an opt-out option via waiver) within 120 days of the bill's effective date, transferring their existing service credit. It provides enhanced retirement and death benefits compared to standard PERS, as outlined in the referenced pending legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) commissions to use $78 million from a 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to lower health insurance costs for public employees. Specifically, it requires these funds to reduce the contribution amounts paid by state and school employees (and their dependents) for health care coverage under SHBP and SEHBP. The settlement mandates Horizon pay $100 million to the state, with $78 million allocated to these health programs. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover prostate cancer screening without cost sharing (no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance). It expands the definition of "prostate cancer screening" to include more diagnostic methods beyond digital rectal exams and PSA tests, such as urinary analysis, serum biomarkers, and medical imaging. The coverage applies to men age 50+ who are asymptomatic, and men age 40+ with family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors. The bill extends these requirements to additional insurance types, including individual health insurance policies, that weren't previously required to cover prostate cancer screening under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lactation consultants providing clinical breastfeeding support (like evaluation, treatment planning, and specialized care) in New Jersey to obtain state licensure. It establishes a licensing board to verify applicants meet International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) standards, including background checks and continuing education. The law prohibits unlicensed individuals from using titles like "lactation consultant" or offering clinical services under those titles, but exempts WIC peer counselors, medical students, and those providing general breastfeeding education without clinical treatment. It directly affects professionals offering clinical lactation care while allowing existing unlicensed support roles to continue.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $1.2 million in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Community College Opportunity Grant program for fiscal year 2026. The grant helps low-income community college students cover tuition and fees not covered by other aid, specifically for those with household incomes under $65,000 who enroll in at least six credits and meet academic requirements. The funding directly supports eligible students attending New Jersey community colleges, including those with household incomes between $65,001-$80,000 (who receive half the maximum award) and $80,001-$100,000 (who receive one-third). It supplements existing appropriations without changing eligibility rules or program structure.

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 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.