Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Access Link paratransit vehicle operators in New Jersey to announce every scheduled stop, either verbally or via a recording system. It directly affects passengers using Access Link (a paratransit service for people with disabilities under the ADA) and the drivers or operators of those vehicles. Currently, only fixed-route transit operators must announce stops, but Access Link paratransit services are not subject to this requirement. The bill would mandate stop announcements for all Access Link routes, improving accessibility for riders who cannot see route information.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric and gas utilities from charging residential customers in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for the billing period. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. Utilities must cap these fees at the precise cost of the customer's usage, preventing overcharging for manual reading services. The law applies immediately upon enactment and defines key terms like "meter-reading fee" and "smart meter" in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1067) requires the state's Department of Human Services to conduct a landscape analysis of mental health services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents. It mandates that mental health services be provided in a client's primary communication method (like sign language or speech), delivered by professionals certified in that method and trained in culturally appropriate care for the deaf community. The bill also requires the creation of a resource guide listing providers meeting these standards and defines key terms like "culturally affirmative mental health services." It directly affects deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking mental health care across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Supplemental Graduate Medical Education Subsidy by $496,000 in New Jersey's FY2026 budget to fund a 15th acute care hospital with a residency program. It expands eligibility beyond the current 14 hospitals to include the 15th hospital with the highest Medicaid revenue percentage (based on 2023 cost reports), using the same calculation method as existing payments. The $496,000 allocation specifically targets this additional hospital, while the existing 14 hospitals' funding levels remain unchanged. The change aligns the appropriations act with a 2018 law that intended the subsidy to cover the top third of eligible hospitals (now 15 out of 45 hospitals with residency programs).

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4280) allows Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to administer glucagon and perform blood glucose tests, expanding their current scope of practice. Currently, only Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics (with advanced training) can do this, while EMTs (trained in basic life support) cannot. To qualify, EMTs must complete approved training, pass an exam, and be certified by the New Jersey Department of Health, with certification details maintained in a public registry. The policy change directly affects EMTs seeking expanded certification and patients with diabetes experiencing severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) who require immediate intervention.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state and local government vehicles used for snow and ice removal to display both amber and green warning lights during operations that create traffic hazards. Currently, such vehicles may only use amber lights for hazard warnings; this bill adds green lights as an additional signal under the same conditions. The green lights may only be activated when the vehicle is actively engaged in snow/ice removal that requires unusual driver caution, and the vehicle must also display the required amber lights simultaneously. This change modifies existing vehicle code provisions (R.S.39:3-54 and R.S.39:3-50) without creating new fees or expanding the practice to other vehicle types.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety requirements for railroad operations in New Jersey. It requires at least two crew members on dangerous hazardous trains (transporting large quantities of hazardous materials) with specific exceptions, prohibits trains longer than 8,500 feet on main and branch lines, and mandates railroad companies to submit federally required bridge inspection reports to state officials. The bill also requires railroad companies to install and maintain wayside detector systems to identify defects, with oversight by the Board of Public Utilities and Department of Transportation. Violations of the train length limit could result in civil penalties of $500-$1,000 per foot exceeding the limit, up to $250,000 for gross negligence or repeated violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to include aquaculture products (fish and shellfish raised through farming in the state or state waters) in the existing Jersey Fresh Program, which currently promotes locally grown produce. It mandates the department to develop a specific quality grading system for these aquaculture products and allocate $100,000 annually from the General Fund for advertising and promotion. The funding supports marketing efforts to help New Jersey aquaculture producers compete in the marketplace, with the program expanding the Jersey Fresh Program's scope beyond traditional agricultural commodities. The bill directly affects state aquaculture businesses by creating a dedicated marketing channel for their products.

Maddy summaryACR 169 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It specifically requests immediate action to modernize EWR's aging air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at facilities supporting the airport. The resolution cites recent disruptions - including radar outages, flight delays, and cancellations - stemming from outdated FAA systems (like aging copper lines) and staffing shortages (only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON managing EWR airspace). This resolution directly affects EWR passengers (nearly 50 million annually), airport operations, and regional economic activity, emphasizing the urgent need for federal intervention before a long-term FAA system upgrade becomes operational.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school staff in New Jersey to complete training on caring for students with epilepsy or seizure disorders every two years. It directly affects school staff (including teachers, coaches, and support personnel) and students with these conditions. The training, provided through Department of Health-approved courses by nonprofit organizations, covers recognizing seizures, emergency response, and daily care. This update builds on existing law (P.L.2019, c.290) that already requires schools to develop individualized health plans for affected students but adds the mandatory biennial staff training requirement. The law applies to all school-sponsored activities, including those outside regular school hours.