Rep. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey election officials to post a detailed voter information notice at every polling place before voting begins. The notice must explain various voter rights, such as the ability to vote in private, request assistance, and receive a provisional ballot if a mail-in ballot is not received. It also includes specific warnings about voter fraud, stating that only U.S. citizens may vote and that non-citizens convicted of unlawful voting could face deportation. Additionally, the notice will inform voters about the consequences of wearing political insignia near the polls, which is prohibited and classified as a disorderly persons offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Children's System of Care to change how respite care services are authorized for individuals under 21 with developmental disabilities. It establishes a 12-month authorization period (replacing the current 90-day renewal) and mandates that families receive a separate "bank" of respite care hours - distinct from regular family support hours - to use for agency-hired, agency-weekend, or self-hired respite care based on their needs. Families must undergo an annual review of service needs and outcomes but cannot have their authorized respite hours reduced. The bill applies directly to families of eligible youth and ensures continuity of care while maintaining current service levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to classify simple assault against state-employed civil investigators as aggravated assault. It directly affects civil investigators working for state departments or agencies when they are clearly identifiable as performing their duties. The key provision adds a new category (1)(l) to the aggravated assault definition, automatically upgrading simple assault to aggravated assault in these specific cases. This is a classification change only - no new penalties are created, but the offense would be treated more seriously under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new independent commission called the Commission on the Fiscal Integrity for Future Attractions to oversee agreements involving major events or attractions in New Jersey. The commission, which includes top state leaders like the Governor and legislative chairs, must review and approve any contracts where the state commits public resources such as transportation, security, or park facilities. Its decisions require a majority vote, and any agreements made without this approval are considered invalid. The commission will operate with public meetings and online access to its records, while being staffed by the Office of Legislative Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse volunteer firefighters for periodic cancer screenings that are not covered by their personal health insurance. Starting five years after beginning service, eligible firefighters can receive up to $1,250 every three years for exams covering various cancers, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation. The law ensures there are no out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles or copayments, and treats volunteer firefighting as an occupational condition for reimbursement purposes. Funding for these payments will come from the state's general fund, and firefighters must provide appropriate records to claim the benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these rates match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E (currently $9.89 per 15 minutes) as used for developmental disability services. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers who deliver these programs to Medicaid beneficiaries. This amendment expands existing law, which previously only set minimum rates for community residential services, to now include structured day program services.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants patients with developmental disabilities in New Jersey hospitals the right to have a designated family member, guardian, direct support professional (DSP), or other caregiver accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay. Hospitals must provide an opportunity to make this designation at admission and document it in the medical record, with changes allowed upon 1-hour notice. The right does not apply during active surgery if the caregiver's presence would endanger the patient. It directly affects patients with developmental disabilities, their designated caregivers, and New Jersey hospitals. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for creating, sharing, or possessing digital content depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children - including computer-generated or manipulated images that appear to show minors. It specifically targets items where a child (under 18) is identifiable by face, likeness, or distinguishing features, or where a person is manipulated to look like a minor ("purported child"). The law prohibits distributing such content via the internet or file-sharing programs, and makes possessing it with intent to share a crime. It directly affects individuals who produce, distribute, or share these materials online, regardless of whether the child is real or digitally altered.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the 16-hour daily limit on private duty nursing services for Medicaid recipients in New Jersey who are 21 years of age or older. Under the new rules, eligible individuals whose medical condition requires it can receive up to 24 hours of nursing care in a single day, as determined by the state's Commission of Human Services. The legislation also directs the Commissioner of Human Services to seek necessary federal approvals and update regulations to implement these changes.