Asm. John Azzariti

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities to approve community group home locations before the state can license them. Specifically, applicants must obtain a written certificate from local officials confirming the proposed home complies with all existing zoning and land use regulations in the municipality. The Department of Human Services cannot issue or renew a license for a community group home without this certificate. The bill directly affects developers seeking to open such homes and local governments responsible for reviewing site compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 25% gross income tax deduction for eligible health care workers in New Jersey. It directly affects registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, homemaker-home health aides, and direct support professionals who work for qualifying health care entities like hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, or psychiatric facilities. The deduction equals 25% of the hourly wages paid by these employers during the taxable year. The policy applies to tax years starting January 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of New Jersey State Police retirees who have been receiving benefits for at least 10 years. COLAs will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full inflation-based adjustments, while benefits over $75,000 will be limited to a 1% annual increase. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these adjustments, and if the retirement board fails to implement COLAs within six months, the State Treasurer will take over implementation. The bill does not apply to new hires after the effective date or to other retirement systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover assisted living services for individuals with serious mental illnesses who do not need help with basic self-care activities (like bathing or dressing) but struggle with more complex daily tasks necessary for independent living (such as managing medications, following treatment plans, or handling finances). The bill specifies that a licensed mental health professional must determine eligibility through a functional assessment process considering medical records, psychiatric history, and input from treating professionals and family members. It also requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for federal Medicaid plan amendments to secure funding for these services. The coverage would become effective six months after the bill's enactment, expanding Medicaid benefits to include this specific assisted living support for eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey paramedics, under physician supervision, to administer blood products to trauma patients experiencing severe bleeding or hemorrhagic shock in ambulances or pre-hospital settings. It requires EMS providers to train paramedics, maintain FDA-approved storage/warming equipment, conduct quarterly audits, and follow strict protocols for blood handling and transfusion reactions. The bill mandates that Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and private insurers cover these services at the same rate as hospital-based transfusions, using standard billing codes. It also creates a state grant program to offset initial equipment and training costs, and establishes a statewide blood rotation system to prevent waste and ensure adequate low-titer O blood supply for emergency use.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded internship program for New Jersey legislators, allowing each member to hire interns using up to $10,000 annually from a $1.2 million state appropriation. It requires interns to be full- or part-time students at accredited higher education institutions (excluding law and PhD programs), with New Jersey residents or students at NJ schools receiving priority. Participants complete at least one work period in a legislator's district office and receive a $1,000 stipend per period, paid bi-weekly or monthly. The program aims to provide practical experience for students while supporting legislative staff capacity.

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 summaryThis bill (A5594) changes how New Jersey licensing boards ask about mental health during healthcare professional licensure applications. It prohibits boards from inquiring about an applicant’s history of receiving behavioral health care (like therapy or counseling), except when specifically assessing current conditions that impair their ability to practice safely. Licensing forms must limit questions to whether a current health condition affects safe practice, with confidentiality guarantees and assurances that treatment-seeking alone won’t lead to license denial. The bill also requires training for licensing staff on handling such disclosures without stigma. It directly affects doctors, nurses, therapists, and other licensed healthcare workers applying for or renewing their New Jersey licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act" (A5586), requires New Jersey law enforcement to check immigration status with U.S. Homeland Security when arresting non-citizens charged with specific serious crimes - including violent offenses, certain felonies, or crimes defined as "aggravated felonies" under federal law. If confirmed as unlawfully present, the bill creates a legal presumption of pretrial detention for these individuals, overriding state bail reform laws. It also repeals prior restrictions on local jails holding immigrants and directs the state Attorney General to rescind a policy (the "Immigrant Trust Directive") that limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The law aims to align New Jersey procedures with federal immigration priorities, specifically referencing the federal Laken Riley Act signed in January 2025.

Maddy summaryBill A4163 requires health insurers in New Jersey to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, management, or ongoing monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence such as FDA approvals, drug labels, or clinical guidelines. The bill applies to all health insurance plans including individual, group, Medicaid, and health maintenance organization contracts. Insurers must provide coverage without causing unnecessary disruption (like multiple biopsies) and must make prior authorization decisions within 24 hours for urgent requests or 72 hours for non-urgent requests. This ensures patients can access precision medical testing that's clinically supported without excessive administrative barriers.