Asm. Mike Venezia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurers, including commercial plans, health maintenance organizations, and state programs, to cover mammograms starting at age 35 rather than 40 for routine screening. It mandates annual mammograms for women 35 and older, while also requiring coverage for women under 35 with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. The bill also requires coverage for additional breast imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs when mammograms show dense breast tissue or abnormalities. This applies to all health insurance plans in New Jersey, including the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program. The policy change lowers the age threshold for routine screening to improve early breast cancer detection.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4388) updates guardianship rules for incapacitated adults by adding a new consideration for courts: they may now grant guardianship to individuals who previously provided care in the incapacitated person's best interest or their estate's best interest. It affects people who become incapacitated (e.g., due to dementia or injury) and potential caregivers, while maintaining existing priority for spouses/domestic partners and heirs/friends if those options are unavailable. The bill clarifies that guardians must always act in the incapacitated person's best interest, whether appointed for their person, estate, or both. It does not create new requirements but expands court discretion to recognize prior caregiving relationships.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council to engage youth in policymaking. It directs the Secretary of Higher Education to select a state higher education institution to host the council, which will include 40 youth members (ages 18-25, residents for at least 10 years) representing each legislative district, plus four non-voting legislative advisors. The host institution appoints a coordinator (receiving an annual stipend) to manage operations, arrange policy engagement opportunities, and submit biennial reports to the Legislature. Key changes include raising the age range from 15-23 to 18-25, lowering residency requirements, removing mandatory subject areas for research, and shifting from annual to biennial reporting. The council provides youth perspectives on issues affecting them to lawmakers and policymakers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4385) requires vehicle manufacturers selling cars in New Jersey to stamp the vehicle identification number (VIN) onto catalytic converters. It directly affects manufacturers, mandating this marking on all converters installed in vehicles sold within the state. The key provision is that each catalytic converter must bear the VIN, making it traceable to a specific vehicle. The bill aims to deter thefts - citing a sharp rise from 3,400 reported cases in 2019 to over triple that in 2020 - by making stolen converters harder to resell anonymously.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools that provide in-person student psychological services (for grades K-12) to also offer remote counseling sessions. It applies to school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects employing licensed school psychologists. Students may choose remote sessions unless the psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for their best interest. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.

Maddy summaryAJR 178 is a New Jersey joint resolution urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a treatment option for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) who haven’t responded to standard therapies. It directly affects veterans using VA care, noting that 23% of VA patients have experienced PTSD, which can cause long-term neurological and psychological symptoms. The resolution highlights that HBOT has shown potential in treating brain function disruptions and references a 2017 VA pilot program and recent VA evidence reviews. It does not fund or mandate HBOT but requests a formal study to assess its effectiveness for veterans with treatment-resistant conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students receiving opportunity grants through New Jersey's Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program to use a portion of their award for summer courses that count toward graduation or their academic major. Students must notify the Secretary of Higher Education before the academic year begins, resulting in a proportional reduction of their grant funds during the regular academic year. The bill also requires annual reporting by institutions on summer grant usage and graduation rates, implementing a 2016 College Affordability Study Commission recommendation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding assembly resolution (AR 139) expressing formal appreciation to the staff of the New Jersey General Assembly. It specifically thanks the Chief Clerk and all staff members - including Sergeants at Arms, committee services, administrative personnel, and others - for their dedication, expertise, and service during legislative sessions. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies; it is purely a symbolic gesture recognizing staff contributions to the legislature's operations. Copies will be distributed to all General Assembly staff members.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates automated hiring tools used by employers in New Jersey to prevent discrimination. It requires vendors selling such tools in the state to conduct annual bias audits and include the audit results with the sale. Employers using these tools must post the latest audit summary on their website and notify job candidates within 30 days if an automated tool was used to assess their application, including details about the criteria evaluated. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,500 per incident. The bill directly affects employers, hiring vendors, and job applicants in New Jersey's workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a rebate program for eligible electric bicycles, targeting residents in municipalities with over 70,000 people. It provides up to $2,000 per bike (capped at the purchase price) paid in two installments: 50% upon application approval and 50% after one year of continued use and ownership. The program aims to reduce vehicle emissions by encouraging short-distance electric bike trips in urban areas, using $250,000 in state funds. BPU will determine eligible bike types, application processes, and program rules to meet this goal.