Asm. John Azzariti

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that the president and vice president of New Jersey's State Board of Medical Examiners must hold a medical degree (M.D., D.O., or D.P.M.). Currently, the board elects these officers from its membership without specific medical qualifications. The bill amends state law to mandate this education requirement for the top two leadership positions. It directly affects the State Board of Medical Examiners by setting new eligibility standards for its president and vice president. The change takes effect four months after enactment to allow the board time to implement the new rule.

Maddy summaryACR 149 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to create a property tax exemption for police officers and firefighters who suffer line-of-duty injuries qualifying for an accidental disability pension. The exemption would cover 50% of the assessed value of their primary residence, capped at $6,500 in the first year (adjusted annually for inflation), and excludes those with over $500,000 in annual income. If approved, the state would reimburse municipalities for the lost tax revenue, which would then pass on reimbursements to counties and school districts. This is a proposed constitutional change requiring voter approval, not an enacted law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's existing telemedicine pay parity law, requiring health insurance plans to pay providers the same rate for telehealth services as in-person visits for covered services. It applies to all health benefits plans in New Jersey (including Medicaid and private insurers) and affects providers delivering telehealth care. The extension, now ending December 31, 2025 (previously 2024), maintains the requirement that telehealth reimbursement equals in-person rates for covered services, excluding audio-only visits (which receive 50% of in-person rates) and behavioral health services (which receive full in-person rates). This is a procedural extension of an existing policy, not a new mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to avoid conflict with a religious observance. It also establishes a permanent rule requiring the Secretary of State to reschedule any primary election (for delegates to national conventions or general elections) if it falls on a religious observance that significantly hinders in-person voting. The new date must be the first Tuesday after the observance period, with the Secretary providing notice to election officials and the public by specific deadlines. This applies to all future primary elections affected by such observances, ensuring adjustments to related deadlines and publishing updated election calendars.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers enrolled in New Jersey's FamilyCare program (which covers Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program) to inform parents or guardians and obtain their written consent before prescribing psychotropic drugs to children under 18. Providers must share the FDA-approved Medication Guide for the drug, evidence-based treatment alternatives, and details about the FDA's adverse event reporting tools (FAERS and MedWatch). The consent form must confirm parents understand the drug's risks, alternatives, and how to report side effects. Providers must keep this signed form in the child's medical record. The law applies specifically to prescriptions for psychotropic medications treating behavioral health conditions, including antipsychotics, stimulants, and mood stabilizers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5148) allows 12th-grade students in New Jersey public schools to have excused absences for military enlistment activities without penalty. It directly affects students planning to join the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, covering required activities like testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting. The absence is recorded as excused on attendance records, does not appear on transcripts or employment forms, and is excluded from perfect attendance calculations. Schools may require documentation to verify the student's eligibility under this provision. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus personnel transporting students with disabilities to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies and report these calls to the Office of Special Education. It mandates that school buses carrying students with disabilities be equipped with interior video cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and two-way communication devices. The bill expands training requirements for school bus personnel to include recognizing and responding to potential life-threatening emergencies involving students with disabilities. School bus contractors and school districts that fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, and video footage and GPS data must be retained for at least 180 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's implementation of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations until January 1, 2027 - pushing back the current 2025 deadline. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, requiring them to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (capping at 40-75% of annual sales by 2035). The bill modifies New Jersey’s adoption of California’s 2021 ACT regulations, which mandate phased EV sales targets, by prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from enforcing these rules before 2027. The delay gives manufacturers more time to adapt to the requirements while maintaining the state’s alignment with California’s emissions program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey police departments (including municipal, county, and state agencies) and educational institutions with appointed police officers to adopt formal policies cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It mandates that these agencies comply with federal requests for information or assistance related to immigration enforcement. The bill also provides legal protections: the state must defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (if no intentional misconduct occurred) and cover any settlements or judgments against them under the same conditions. It defines "law enforcement officer" as those with arrest powers under state law. The policy applies to all covered agencies without exception.