Rep. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sports wagering licensees (including casinos, racetracks, and online operators) from offering "micro bets," which are wagers on the outcome of the very next play or action in a game (e.g., the next baseball pitch). It directly affects sportsbooks operating in the state and bettors who might place these rapid, high-frequency wagers. The key provision bans micro bets as a specific type of live wager during ongoing events, with penalties for violations. The bill aims to reduce problem gambling risks linked to the speed and immediacy of these bets, citing rising gambling concerns in New Jersey and nationally.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3577) requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to collect specific data on professional and occupational license applications and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months. The report must include details like the number of pending applications, average processing times, common errors in incomplete applications, call volume categories from applicants, and funding for staff and technology. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Attorney General develop profession-specific training for new employees processing license applications and review outsourcing phone call handling. The law directly affects license applicants by requiring the state to track and report on application processing efficiency and support for the licensing division.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to collect and publish detailed statistics about consumer debt lawsuits. It mandates reporting on key metrics like new filings (by court division), pending cases over 3 months, defendant attorney representation, judgments (including defaults), and other dispositions. The data must be published annually at both statewide and county levels. This directly affects courts, creditors, and consumers by increasing transparency around a common legal issue involving credit or medical debt. The bill does not change debt collection laws but creates a public record to inform stakeholders about lawsuit patterns.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3256) requires restaurants to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity fee to customers. It mandates that the fee be visible on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website. Restaurants that fail to disclose the fee face fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for the second, and $5,000 for the third or subsequent offenses, with each day of violation counted separately. The law directly affects restaurants operating in New Jersey and ensures customers are informed about mandatory service charges before paying.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social media platforms with at least five million global users to cooperate with designated nonprofit organizations (like StopNCII.org and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Take It Down initiative) to remove nonconsensual intimate images or videos. It mandates that platforms establish procedures for nonprofits to flag and request removal of such content - including AI-generated deceptive media - and requires immediate takedown of flagged material pending review. The law defines "nonconsensual" broadly, covering cases where victims didn’t consent, minors were involved, or deceptive media misrepresented individuals. Social media companies violating the law face fines up to $20,000 per offense. The bill directly affects platforms serving New Jersey users and protects individuals targeted by nonconsensual sharing of intimate content.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill directs the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign focused on Alzheimer's disease. The program would educate the general public on symptoms and early detection while providing specialized training for law enforcement, firefighters, and social workers to better assist affected individuals. Additionally, the department must publish easy-to-understand information about the disease in both English and Spanish on its website. The initiative relies on available state funds and may accept external grants or services to support its efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts creditors from paying municipal property registration fees when a property is under federal bankruptcy protection (automatic stay). It modifies New Jersey's existing foreclosure registration rules to remove fee requirements during bankruptcy proceedings. Creditors must still register properties in foreclosure as required, but the fee obligation is lifted if bankruptcy protection applies. The change directly affects banks and mortgage lenders handling foreclosures that enter bankruptcy. This policy adjustment aligns state fee obligations with federal bankruptcy protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sports wagering licensees and their contracted operators from offering promotional credits, bonuses, or free rewards to customers using responsible gaming tools. It specifically blocks incentives designed to encourage betting for people who have self-excluded, set time limits, imposed deposit restrictions, or used other responsible gaming programs. Violations would result in a minimum $500 fine per offense. The law amends existing gambling regulations to protect vulnerable bettors from targeted marketing while they use safety tools.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that all new motor vehicles sold or leased within the state must include a radio capable of receiving AM broadcasts. The legislation aims to ensure drivers can access emergency information during natural disasters and other crises, as AM radio often remains functional when other communication systems fail. Manufacturers would be prohibited from selling or leasing vehicles without this feature, and violations could result in significant fines and legal penalties under the state's consumer fraud laws. The rule is set to take effect one year after the bill is enacted.