Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school students in grades 6-12 to have one excused absence per school year to attend a civic event, such as a community meeting about environmental issues or public safety. The absence won’t appear on the student’s attendance record, and parents must provide at least five days’ notice with documentation proving the event meets the bill’s definition of a civic event (sponsored by government, community, or local nonprofits addressing public concerns). The state education commissioner will create rules, including a list of mandatory civic events requiring excused absences, while school districts may grant additional absences beyond the one allowed. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the statute of limitations for medical fee disputes in workers' compensation cases from six years to two years. It requires that disputes be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years of receiving a payment or notice of denial of payment. The current law, as interpreted by courts, allows up to six years for such disputes. This change directly affects injured workers and medical providers who must resolve billing disagreements within the shorter two-year window.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps out-of-pocket costs for insulin and epinephrine under New Jersey health insurance plans at $100 per 30-day supply of insulin or per package of two epinephrine auto-injectors. It requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to investigate insulin pricing practices, gather data from manufacturers and sellers, and assess whether additional consumer protections are needed. Within six months of enactment, the Division must publish a public report detailing findings and recommendations for controlling prices and preventing deceptive sales practices. The bill directly affects insured residents needing these medications, insurance carriers, and manufacturers selling insulin in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $2.5 million in existing federal pandemic relief funds (from the CARES Act or American Rescue Plan) to New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide grants to veteran-owned businesses in the state. The EDA will award these grants to businesses that are independently owned, based in New Jersey, and at least 51% owned and controlled by veterans. The EDA may use up to 5% of the funds for administrative costs. This funding aims to support veteran-owned businesses responding to the public health crisis.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) to establish a weigh-in-motion monitoring program. The program would install automated systems on roads near bridges to detect vehicles exceeding weight limits without requiring drivers to stop. These systems would automatically send structural monitoring notifications to DOT for potential bridge inspections and enforcement notifications to DLPS for weight limit violations. Both agencies must publish annual reports on system usage, violations, and costs, with the program funded from the Transportation Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1906 bill prohibits businesses receiving state economic development subsidies of $25,000 or more from making campaign contributions to candidates, political parties, or related committees during the subsidy period. It applies to the business itself, its affiliates, and key employees, but allows candidates to contribute to their own campaigns. Violations could result in fines up to $200,000 for individuals or $500,000 for entities, and businesses may lose remaining subsidies or face a five-year ban on state contracting. The bill defines "development subsidy" to exclude specific programs like affordable housing or environmental initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes certain New Jersey school districts (specifically Type II districts without a board of school estimate, excluding state-designated districts) to issue bonds without voter approval to repair school facilities damaged by natural disasters. It requires the school board to adopt a resolution approving the bonds (with a two-thirds vote) and apply to the Commissioner of Education for approval, demonstrating the repairs are necessary for a thorough education system. The commissioner must review applications within 15 business days, and if approved, the bonds can exceed standard debt limits, with repayment funded through district taxes. The bill does not apply to school districts under full State intervention where governance hasn't been restored.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's alcoholic beverage licensing laws to provide new opportunities for craft beverage manufacturers and streamline retail licensing. It allows limited brewery, winery, distillery, and cidery license holders to sell food, operate restaurants, coordinate with food vendors, and host unlimited events on and off their premises, removing the previous requirement for customers to take a tour to purchase on-site beverages. The bill also gradually eliminates population-based restrictions on new plenary retail consumption licenses (bars/restaurants), reducing the limit from 1 license per 3,000 residents to no limit after 2029. Additionally, it provides tax credits of $30,000 to $50,000 for existing plenary retail license holders based on their taxable sales volume over the previous three years. These changes aim to support New Jersey's alcohol industry by expanding business options and reducing regulatory barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies to update official forms, documents, and applications to collect sex, gender, and sexual orientation information more respectfully. It mandates that such data only be collected when vital for health services, makes it optional for statistical purposes with clear labeling, and requires sensitive phrasing that allows non-binary designations. Individuals (or their parents/guardians for minors) control whether to share this information, and agencies must follow best practices recognized by LGBTQ advocacy groups like Garden State Equality. Federal collection requirements would need documented justification before including such questions on state forms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover at-home rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from injuries or illnesses. It applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and all individual and group health insurance policies. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical treatments and must include services delivered within a patient's home using medical equipment. The bill defines "at-home rehabilitation" as treatment for functional physical or mental impairments due to injury or disease, administered within the individual's home. This change aims to make rehabilitation more accessible for people who face challenges traveling to facilities.