Asm. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A1319 requires public colleges and universities to create a student withdrawal policy allowing refunds for specific serious personal situations. It mandates that institutions define "extenuating circumstances" (including illness, injury, hospitalization, and mental health issues) and refund tuition/fees if these circumstances prevent a student from receiving education during a semester. The policy must also provide proportional refunds for unused room and board charges and clarify that financial aid refunds follow existing state and federal rules. This policy applies to all public higher education institutions in New Jersey starting with the first full academic year after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits prosecutors from offering negotiated plea agreements that reduce prison time or fines for burglary convictions when a firearm was involved. It directly affects defendants charged with burglary who used a firearm during the crime, requiring them to face the full second-degree penalty rather than a reduced sentence through plea bargaining. The law amends New Jersey's burglary statute to specify that such plea agreements are ineligible if the defendant was "armed with or displays what appears to be explosives or a deadly weapon" during the offense. The bill defines "firearm" broadly to include handguns, rifles, shotguns, and certain air guns, but does not change the underlying burglary charges or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain rooming and boarding houses, as well as cooperative sober living residences, to comply with municipal land use regulations like zoning rules. It specifically mandates that applicants for a state Class F license to operate a cooperative sober living residence must submit written approvals from local zoning, fire, health, and building authorities with their license application. Currently, these facilities were exempt from municipal land use regulations (though subject to construction codes), but this bill removes that exemption for land use. The change directly affects owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey, requiring new paperwork for state licensing. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance policies in New Jersey - covering hospital, medical, and individual/group plans - to cover diagnosis and treatment for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for specific treatments including antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, as prescribed by a physician. Insurance plans must provide this coverage "to the same extent as for any other condition," meaning no additional cost-sharing or limitations beyond standard coverage. The requirement applies to all relevant policies renewed or issued in New Jersey after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3254) requires New Jersey election workers to be paid an hourly rate equal to the state minimum wage for mandatory training programs they must attend. Currently, counties decide whether to compensate workers for training time, but this bill makes payment mandatory. The law amends existing election compensation rules to specify that workers must receive minimum wage pay for training hours, with counties eligible to seek state reimbursement for these costs. It directly affects all election workers required to complete annual training under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities (including proprietary institutions) to notify the state's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority when the federal government approves a student loan discharge under "borrower defense" rules. Specifically, institutions must inform the Authority within a reasonable timeframe if a student - especially a New Jersey resident during enrollment - is approved for federal student loan forgiveness due to institutional misconduct. The law does not change federal loan rules but adds a state reporting requirement to help track discharges affecting residents. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2870) increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and fire personnel who suffer accidental disability or death caused by weapons. Specifically, it raises the accidental disability pension from two-thirds to 100% of the member’s final compensation when the injury or death results from weapon-related incidents during duty. It also increases the accidental death benefit for surviving families in these cases. The change applies to members whose disability or death occurs on or after the bill’s effective date, directly affecting active and retired police/firefighters in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires urgent care clinics (which treat acute but non-life-threatening conditions) and retail health clinics (located in stores, pharmacies, or supermarkets offering limited walk-in care) to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site and ensure staff are trained to use it. Clinics must store the AED centrally, maintain it, notify emergency services of its location, and train all employees in CPR and AED use. At least one trained employee must be present during business hours. The law takes effect immediately but allows a one-year implementation period for compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's law banning PFAS in firefighting foam to extend use for specific facilities. Fixed foam system owners (for class B fires) may continue using PFAS foam until four years after the original law's effective date, and oil refineries may use it for large tank fire suppression until eight years after that date. Both extensions require annual reporting on foam use, containment measures to prevent environmental release, and detailed transition plans to PFAS-free alternatives. Refineries can apply for up to two-year waivers beyond the eight-year period if they prove no commercially available PFAS-free alternatives exist for their specific fire suppression needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $15 fee for special license plates designated for firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members in New Jersey. Currently, these emergency service members pay an additional $15 fee on top of standard vehicle registration costs to obtain the plates. The bill would allow eligible volunteer, part-time, and paid members of fire departments or first aid/rescue squads to receive these plates at no extra cost (only standard registration fees would apply). It requires annual renewal with proof of continued membership and was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.354.