Asm. Shama Haider

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1973) requires hospitals, birthing centers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey to screen individuals who were diagnosed with preeclampsia during pregnancy and later show symptoms of endometriosis. It mandates that providers use industry-standard screening tools, provide education about endometriosis symptoms, and obtain written consent (with an option to refuse screening) within six weeks of giving birth. If screening is positive, providers must discuss results and develop a treatment plan to address endometriosis risks. The bill directly affects pregnant people and new mothers with preeclampsia who exhibit endometriosis symptoms, aiming to improve early detection through standardized health system protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail gun dealers to report to the State Police when a background check denies a firearm or ammunition purchase due to the buyer being a prohibited person (e.g., convicted of certain crimes or domestic violence offenses). Local law enforcement chiefs are then notified if a denied purchase occurs in their municipality, allowing them to address potential safety concerns. It applies directly to gun dealers conducting sales, local police departments, and individuals barred from firearm ownership under existing law. The key mechanism is mandating this notification process to improve communication between state and local law enforcement regarding denied transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction of new crematories within 1,000 feet of public or private schools, residentially zoned areas, or specific recreational spaces like parks, playgrounds, beaches, or conservation areas. It applies to all new crematory construction applications submitted after the bill's effective date, requiring the Cemetery Board to deny permits that violate these location limits. The restriction does not apply to crematories operated within funeral homes under existing law. This policy change directly affects developers and applicants seeking to build new crematories in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts creditors from paying municipal property registration fees when a property is subject to an automatic stay under federal bankruptcy law. It specifically prevents municipalities from charging creditors an annual fee for properties included in chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy cases under federal law, as long as the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a) remains in effect. This applies to mortgage lenders and other creditors seeking to foreclose on properties while those properties are under federal bankruptcy protection. The exemption ensures creditors are not required to pay additional fees during the bankruptcy process, which is a change from current law that required such fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to conduct unscheduled surprise inspections of school buses in addition to existing scheduled inspections. Specifically, it mandates a minimum of two annual inspections per school bus operator, with one being a surprise visit, to ensure ongoing safety compliance. School bus operators (owners or day-to-day managers) must provide access to buses and required maintenance/employment records during these inspections, with fines of $50-$500 per violation for non-compliance. The bill updates New Jersey’s School Bus Enhanced Safety Inspection Act to strengthen safety checks through unpredictable inspections, using collected fines to fund the program itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThe "Packaging Product Stewardship Act" requires producers of packaging products in New Jersey to reduce waste through specific targets: a 25% reduction in single-use packaging by 2032 (with at least 10% coming from reusable alternatives or plastic elimination), all packaging must be compostable or recyclable by 2034, and a 65% recycling rate by 2036. Producers can join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to collectively meet these requirements or comply individually, with PROs required to develop detailed stewardship plans funded through fees proportional to packaging volume and environmental impact. Annual surcharges on producers will fund a "Packaging Reduction and Recycling Fund" (up to $120 million total) to improve recycling infrastructure. The bill establishes an Office of Plastics and Packaging Management within the Department of Environmental Protection to oversee implementation and enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates court filing fees for people being sued over consumer debt in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals facing lawsuits to collect personal, family, or household debt - including medical debt - when they file responses, counterclaims, or other court documents. The law removes fees for these filings in both small claims and civil courts, covering actions like answering complaints or disputing claims. It defines "consumer debt" as debt incurred for personal needs under current law, including medical debt as defined by existing statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey acute care hospitals to create and submit environmental sustainability plans every four years, with newly licensed hospitals needing to submit one within six months. The plans must set goals for reducing waste, conserving water and energy, using renewable power, adopting sustainable purchasing, and lowering carbon emissions. Hospitals must also file annual progress reports detailing implementation, which will be published online. The law aims to reduce healthcare's environmental impact while highlighting potential cost savings from sustainability efforts, as noted in the bill's findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program for building electrification and mandates electric public utilities to develop multi-year plans to replace fossil fuel systems with electric alternatives. The plans must meet specific greenhouse gas reduction targets and be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits like reduced methane emissions. Key mechanisms include converting gas heating/water systems to electric heat pumps, replacing gas appliances with electric models (e.g., induction stoves), and funding contractor training programs. The bill directly affects electric utilities, building owners, and contractors by requiring systemic shifts toward electrified heating, cooking, and industrial processes.