Asm. Lisa Swain

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Medical Examiners to allow physicians to count one optional continuing medical education (CME) credit toward their license renewal for training on menopause. The training covers menopause's physiological and psychological aspects, treatments, related health risks (like heart health and osteoporosis), and communication strategies. Physicians who complete this training would earn a credit that counts toward their required 100 CME hours for license renewal. The bill defines menopause as the natural process where a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods after 12 months without one. It does not mandate the training but offers it as an optional credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1941) requires the New Jersey Commission on Human Trafficking to expand public awareness signage about human trafficking to 12 new types of establishments, including gas stations, staffing agencies, law enforcement offices, nail salons, and Motor Vehicle Commission offices. The signage must display the national 24-hour human trafficking hotline number and meet specific size (8.5" x 11") and language (English/Spanish) requirements. Businesses failing to comply face civil penalties of $300 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects all covered establishments by mandating visible signage to educate the public on trafficking resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include certain substitute teachers who were previously excluded. It amends the law to allow eligible substitutes - defined by specific criteria in the bill - to enroll in the retirement system, directly affecting their access to pension benefits. The key change modifies the definition of "member" in the pension law to include these substitute educators. This policy shift provides a concrete pathway for qualifying substitutes to build retirement savings through TPAF.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a proportional property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected permanent disability rated at 10% or higher. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses) by reducing their property taxes in line with their disability rating, with a $10,000 cap for exemptions below 100% disability. Veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected disability receive a full 100% exemption, matching current benefits for those with 100% disability ratings. The bill also requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax costs for these exemptions, including administrative expenses, through annual reporting by local tax authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program and Plan First program to cover fertility preservation services for individuals whose fertility may be impaired by medically necessary treatments like cancer therapy. It defines "iatrogenic infertility" as fertility loss caused by medical treatments affecting reproductive organs, and specifies that covered services include storage of sperm, eggs, embryos, and cryopreserved ovarian tissue. The coverage must be provided without discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics, making these often-expensive services accessible to low-to-moderate income patients who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6151) requires drug manufacturers to label over-the-counter and prescription drugs containing major food allergens or gluten-containing grains with clear, conspicuous information identifying the specific allergen or grain type. It directly affects consumers with allergies or gluten sensitivities by enabling them to avoid products that could cause adverse reactions, and drug manufacturers who must comply with the labeling requirement. The law mandates that labels explicitly name each allergen or grain source (e.g., wheat, barley) in an easily understandable format, with penalties of $500-$2,000 for non-compliance. It applies to all human drugs except grooming/hygiene products and certain controlled substances, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6150) requires facilities in New Jersey that produce, handle, package, or transport plastic pellets ("nurdles") to create and submit spill prevention and response plans to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) within one year of the law taking effect. The plans must detail how facilities handle pellets, prevent spills (especially into water or soil), and respond to incidents. Facilities must also report any plastic pellet spill within 48 hours and maintain records for DEP review. The DEP will approve plans, set penalties for non-compliance, and adopt rules to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary gluten-free certification program for restaurants in New Jersey. It requires the Division of Consumer Affairs (with the Health Commissioner) to create application guidelines, conduct annual reviews of certified restaurants, charge reasonable fees (including an annual re-certification fee), and publish a public list of certified establishments online. Restaurants cannot claim gluten-free certification without official approval, facing written warnings for first offenses and $1,000 civil penalties for repeat violations. The program directly affects restaurants seeking to verify their gluten-free offerings and customers relying on certified options. It does not mandate certification but sets standards to prevent misleading claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a virtual power plant (VPP) program aimed at reducing peak electricity demand. The program will coordinate customer-owned energy resources - like home batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles - to provide grid services, avoiding the need for costly new infrastructure. The BPU must establish a 500-megawatt peak demand reduction target by 2030, requiring electric utilities to meet specific participation goals. This directly affects utilities, customers with eligible energy resources, and aims to lower costs while improving grid reliability, especially in overburdened communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in New Jersey, effective two years after enactment. It covers most everyday clothing (like shirts, pants, athletic wear, swimwear, and school uniforms) as well as specialized outdoor gear designed for extreme weather, but excludes military protective equipment. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under New Jersey law, subjecting offenders to fines of up to $20,000 per offense, cease-and-desist orders, and potential punitive damages. The law directly affects apparel manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating within the state.