Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to investigate complaints alleging excessive or discriminatory rent increases in affordable housing units. It defines excessive rent as charges that exceed legal limits, rise by more than 10 percent without justification, or conflict with approved rent schedules, and allows tenants and housing officials to report such issues. Upon receiving a complaint, the Division must investigate within 30 days and issue a determination within 90 days, while owners found guilty of violations face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense and must pay restitution to affected tenants. Additionally, the law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who file complaints and mandates an annual report on the number of investigations and violations found.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's public health insurance program, to cover prescriptions for healthy foods for certain enrollees. It defines a food prescription as a written order from a healthcare provider for specific foods to treat diet-related health conditions. The legislation amends existing state laws to establish a program that supports small food retailers and pharmacies in stocking and selling fresh produce and other nutritious items at affordable prices. By covering these food prescriptions, the bill aims to improve access to healthy foods for low-income residents, particularly those in areas with limited grocery options. The changes apply to NJ FamilyCare participants who receive healthcare provider prescriptions for specific healthy foods as part of their treatment plans.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that New Jersey's state health insurance programs, including SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare, must cover education services for patients with kidney disease who need dialysis or a transplant. The legislation requires the Department of Health to create specific guidelines for these services, which involve verbal counseling on managing related health conditions, preventing complications, and understanding treatment options like different types of dialysis or transplantation. Under the plan, patients would receive this information before their appointments to help them actively participate in choosing their treatment path. The coverage for the NJ FamilyCare program is specifically noted as dependent on receiving approval from the federal government.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the state's Department of Human Services to apply for federal approval to create a special Health Home Program for Medicaid recipients with sickle cell disease who are at risk of developing another chronic condition. Once approved, the state must implement this program within 180 days to coordinate care for these patients, integrating services such as primary care, behavioral health, and long-term support. The legislation defines sickle cell disease as an inherited blood disorder and clarifies that a chronic condition is any persistent health issue lasting at least 12 months. By establishing this program, the bill aims to ensure that eligible individuals receive comprehensive, whole-person care rather than fragmented medical treatment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to hire on-demand micro transit services to transport students to and from school, with specific rules for student age and parental consent. It creates a grant program to encourage districts to use these services and defines the technology required, such as GPS tracking that sends trip confirmations to parents. The legislation also outlines safety requirements for drivers, including background checks and training, while clarifying that these drivers do not need commercial licenses. Additionally, the bill specifies that transportation providers must carry liability insurance and that school districts will not be held liable for injuries occurring during these rides.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires institutions of higher education and private employers with 100 or more employees to provide free feminine hygiene products to students and staff. It also mandates that public restrooms accessible to the menstruating population stock these items, while establishing a $500,000 grant program to support implementation at community colleges. The legislation defines covered products as sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, and disks, and requires agencies receiving federal funds to include provisions for these products in their applications.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail food stores and third-party grocery delivery platforms from charging different prices for the same products based on surveillance data collected about individual shoppers (like tracking behavior or location). It defines "surveillance-based price setting" as using such data to customize prices, making it unlawful except for specific cases like cost-based differences or clearly disclosed group discounts (e.g., for veterans or loyalty program members). Stores must clearly disclose eligibility for discounts and cannot use surveillance data for profiling or targeted advertising beyond administering discounts. The law directly affects grocery retailers, delivery apps, and consumers purchasing food items, aiming to prevent price discrimination using personal data.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords in New Jersey from charging tenants additional fees, rent increases, or security deposits related to keeping an emotional support animal in residential rental properties. It applies to most rental situations but excludes owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, and requires tenants to provide health provider documentation about their emotional support animal at lease signing. The law also establishes legal penalties for landlords who violate these rules, allowing tenants to seek $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees in court.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit to install safety features like barriers and lighting at bus stops located in high-traffic areas to protect passengers from traffic-related injuries. The law applies to both new shelters being built and existing shelters, with the latter requiring safety upgrades only if a local municipality or entity requests them. NJT will determine which locations qualify as high-traffic areas based on factors such as traffic volume, collision history, and proximity to schools and senior housing. The implementation of these safety measures is subject to the availability of appropriated funds, and the bill takes effect seven months after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an alternative process for victims of domestic violence in New Jersey to obtain driver's licenses or identification cards from the Motor Vehicle Commission without providing standard proof of identity or residence. Instead of traditional documents, applicants can submit medical records, court papers, police reports, or certifications from licensed social workers or domestic violence service providers to verify their situation. The Motor Vehicle Commission will verify these documents and may issue temporary licenses valid for up to 12 months while authentication is completed. The bill also requires staff to receive trauma-informed training and mandates annual reporting on how many licenses are issued through this new process, while protecting the privacy of the sensitive documentation submitted.