Asm. Lisa Swain

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing domestic violence public awareness campaign to include information about recognizing "coercive control" - patterns of controlling behavior like isolating victims, monitoring communications, or threatening to report them to authorities. It requires the Division on Women (within the Department of Children and Families) to add this content to the campaign, expand language options beyond English and Spanish (as recommended by the Advisory Council), and provide annual reports on campaign activities. The campaign must cover causes, risk factors, prevention, and local victim services, with new materials specifically addressing coercive control indicators. This directly affects victims of domestic violence, service providers, and the public by enhancing educational resources and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create a pilot program providing free menstrual hygiene products (tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins) to eligible Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare enrollees. Eligible individuals would receive products at no cost by presenting their Medicaid card at participating pharmacies, with quantities and frequency determined by health experts. The program depends on federal approval of a waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act to secure federal funding. The bill does not take effect until this federal waiver is approved.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities in New Jersey to report any allegations of sexual misconduct committed by health care professionals employed at their institutions to the relevant state licensing board. The licensing board must then investigate the allegation to determine if disciplinary action, license suspension, or restrictions are needed. Institutions making these reports in good faith are protected from civil liability. The law directly affects higher education institutions, health care professionals (like nurses or therapists), and the state licensing boards that oversee their credentials. It does not replace campus investigations or law enforcement reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities by $15 million (from $740 million to $755 million) over two years. It directly affects most municipalities (excluding those with a municipal purposes tax rate of $0.10 or less per $100) by requiring them to subtract this additional aid from their property tax levies. The bill also prohibits municipalities from anticipating certain revenue when creating annual budgets. These changes aim to provide more direct property tax relief to local governments through the existing fund, which receives energy-related tax revenues.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3128 requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations with no out-of-pocket costs to patients. It applies to group and individual health insurance contracts, mandating that insurers pay for these exams without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found during screenings or detected another way, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality is present. The law aligns with National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines and applies to all plans except those specifically structured as medical savings accounts under federal law. This directly affects all New Jersey residents with health insurance who may need these breast exams.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance companies to cover mental health treatment and therapy for victims of domestic violence as "medically necessary," eliminating insurance denials for these services. It directly affects insurance carriers (who must provide full coverage) and domestic violence victims (who gain guaranteed access to mental health care). The key provision mandates that such treatment be covered "to the same extent as any other medically necessary treatment" under a policy, removing barriers insurers previously used to limit coverage. The bill amends multiple insurance law sections to enforce this requirement, applying to all health insurance contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey nurse aide workforce development program to support individuals seeking certification. It requires the Department of Health to provide clear information on certification benefits, requirements, and cost-free competency evaluations for nurse aides employed by or offered jobs at long-term care facilities. The program also details employer reimbursement rules: facilities must cover training costs for new hires within 12 months, and employers cannot charge for training if an aide leaves voluntarily or involuntarily. A separate one-year pilot reimburses up to 25% of training costs for completed courses. All resources will be posted on a dedicated Department of Health website.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses and banks from using receipt paper containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical added during manufacturing to improve paper characteristics. It directly affects retailers, financial institutions, and any entity that provides transaction records like receipts or credit card slips. Violators face civil penalties of $250-$500 per offense, with daily fines for ongoing violations, enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection or courts. The law takes effect 18 months after enactment, aiming to reduce consumer exposure to BPA through everyday transaction documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3115) requires every New Jersey public school to have at least one full-time school psychologist, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1 per school. It directly affects all local school districts in New Jersey, mandating they hire qualified psychologists certified under New Jersey law. School districts must also seek federal funding to support implementation. The law takes effect for the second full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 100) urges New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to annually invite parents or guardians to observe school security drills. It directly affects parents of students in these schools, addressing concerns that unannounced drills may cause anxiety, especially for younger children. The key provision requires schools to offer this observation opportunity at a time determined by the school, aiming to educate parents about drill procedures and staff safety measures. The resolution does not mandate the action but seeks to reduce parental worry by increasing transparency about existing monthly security drills required by state law.