Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A567) requires courts to order counseling for children who have witnessed or been exposed to domestic violence in households where abuse has occurred. It establishes a legal presumption that custody of minor children should be awarded to the non-abusive parent when a final restraining order is issued in domestic violence cases. The bill also permits courts to order the abusive parent to pay for the child's counseling and requires them to provide proof of payment to the court. Additionally, it mandates that courts consider the child's exposure to domestic violence when making custody decisions, prioritizing the child's safety and well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5449) exempts specific oral healthcare products from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It adds "oral healthcare products for human use" to the list of tax-exempt items, covering products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and oral irrigators designed to maintain oral health. The exemption excludes food, dietary supplements, and durable medical equipment. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these everyday oral care items, reducing their cost by removing the state tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program for Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in Camden, Essex, Hudson, and Middlesex counties. It combines domestic violence cases, divorce, child custody, and related criminal matters under a single judge to streamline proceedings, reduce court appearances, and improve victim safety. The courts will include on-site resource coordinators, victim advocates, and social workers, and judges must have specialized knowledge in domestic violence law. The program requires the court administration to monitor effectiveness and report to the legislature after 12 months and at the program’s conclusion.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires physicians to complete one continuing medical education credit on communication and treatment for deaf or hard of hearing patients as part of their biennial registration. It also mandates that emergency department staff at general hospitals complete training developed by a new dedicated unit within New Jersey's Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Hospitals must create specific protocols for employees who interact with deaf or hard of hearing patients during emergency care. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the maximum out-of-pocket cost for prescription asthma inhalers under New Jersey-regulated health insurance plans. It limits copayments and coinsurance for a 30-day supply of asthma inhalers to $35, down from the current $50 limit. The policy applies to various health insurance plans including individual and group policies, health maintenance organizations, and state-regulated health benefits plans. It requires these plans to cover asthma inhalers without deductibles and with the new $35 cost-sharing cap. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with asthma who rely on inhalers and use health insurance plans regulated by the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. The disclosure informs buyers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or the State Police, and warns that purchasing firearms with intent to resell to disqualified individuals is illegal. Retailers must have customers sign and receive a copy of this disclosure, keep signed copies for 15 years, and prominently post the notice at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, with collected fines directed to gun violence prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prior military law enforcement officers with honorable discharges to receive credit toward New Jersey's police training requirements when seeking law enforcement jobs in the state. Specifically, they will be exempt from parts of the basic police training course that match their military training, as determined by the Police Training Commission. The credit does not cover the entire course, so officers must still complete any training not deemed similar. This applies to those who served in the military within the last three years and are applying for state or local law enforcement positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric and gas utilities using smart meters to create an "Energy Bill Watch" program for customers. It mandates utilities to notify smart meter customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle if their usage exceeds their previous cycle's average, allow customers to set dollar-based usage alerts, and provide monthly cost and consumption data in notifications. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers (with opt-out options), advertise the program via email, social media, websites, and bills, and include specific billing details - previous cycle cost, current cycle cost, and the difference - on all customer bills. The program applies only to utilities using smart meters and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.