Asm. Cody Miller

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5441 bill requires the Department of Human Services to reformat the MyNJHelps website into a single, centralized online platform for all state public assistance programs. This would allow low-income residents to apply for and track the status of programs like food assistance (SNAP), healthcare (NJFamilyCare), cash aid, child care, housing, and utility help through one website and a single application form. The bill mandates that the platform must provide state agencies with shared access to applicant information for eligibility decisions while keeping each program's administering agency unchanged. The reform must be completed within one year of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThe "Climate Superfund Act" would hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and are responsible for over one billion metric tons of emissions between 1995 and the bill's effective date. The bill establishes a program through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to collect these payments and distribute funds for climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs. Companies would pay their proportional share of damages over nine years, with options for installment payments, and the collected funds would specifically support projects that help communities prepare for climate impacts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program to include disabled residents who receive disability payments under the federal Railroad Retirement Act (45 U.S.C. § 231 et seq.). Currently, only disabled individuals receiving payments under the federal Social Security Act (Title II) qualify for this reimbursement. The bill expands eligibility by adding Railroad Retirement disability payments as a qualifying source, without altering existing income thresholds or residency requirements. This change would allow more disabled New Jersey residents to claim property tax reimbursement on their primary residence if they meet all other program criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state-funded transportation projects (like roads or bridges) to use geotechnical engineers to determine necessary soil, groundwater, and structural monitoring. It mandates groundwater testing before construction begins and ongoing monitoring if site conditions require it (capped at three years), plus deformation monitoring during and after construction if needed. The Department of Transportation must follow all internal standards for subsurface data and cannot waive these requirements without approval. This directly affects state agencies and contractors managing transportation projects funded by New Jersey resources, including the Transportation Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric and gas utilities using smart meters to create an "Energy Bill Watch" program for customers. It mandates utilities to notify smart meter customers on the 10th and 20th days of each billing cycle if their usage exceeds their previous cycle's average, allow customers to set dollar-based usage alerts, and provide monthly cost and consumption data in notifications. Utilities must automatically enroll smart meter customers (with opt-out options), advertise the program via email, social media, websites, and bills, and include specific billing details - previous cycle cost, current cycle cost, and the difference - on all customer bills. The program applies only to utilities using smart meters and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mental health services in New Jersey to be provided in a culturally affirming and linguistically appropriate manner for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It mandates that services be delivered in the client's primary method of communication, as determined by the client's preference or a communication assessment, and that mental health professionals be certified as fluent in that method. The bill establishes a deaf services coordinator position within the Department of Human Services to oversee implementation, develop certification standards for professionals, and ensure access to services statewide, including through telemedicine in underserved areas. It also requires the development of a statewide system of care with specific standards for communication accessibility and cultural competence in mental health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades the offense of purchasing sexual services (prostitution as a patron) from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the fourth degree for first offenses, with higher penalties for repeat violations. It requires convicted patrons to participate in a mandatory education program about human trafficking and pay a $500 fee. All fines and fees collected from these offenses are directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund," which provides services to trafficking victims and supports educational programs about human trafficking. The fund was established by prior legislation to assist survivors and combat human trafficking through prevention and awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - covering hospital services, medical care, health maintenance organizations, and state/school employee health programs - to cover diagnosis and treatment for PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, as prescribed by a physician. The coverage must be provided at the same level as for other medical conditions, without additional cost barriers. This directly affects children diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS and their insurance providers across all covered plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $144.2 million supplemental appropriation to New Jersey's public four-year universities for the 2025 fiscal year. It adds to the existing $220.5 million in Outcomes-Based Allocation funding, distributing specific amounts to 13 institutions like Rutgers campuses, NJIT, Rowan, and Montclair State. The funding is tied to performance metrics including degrees awarded, diversity outcomes, STEM/healthcare degrees, and student financial need. This is a direct budgetary adjustment to support institutional funding based on predefined educational outcomes, not a new policy.