Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey physicians to offer patients a test for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (a condition that can cause dangerous reactions to chemotherapy drugs) before starting chemotherapy. It directly affects patients scheduled for chemotherapy in New Jersey, ensuring they can be screened for this specific risk. The bill mandates that all health insurance policies sold in New Jersey must cover one annual test for this deficiency and any related treatment, at the same level as other medical conditions. This applies to individual, group, and other health insurance plans in the state, with coverage required for both the test and prescribed treatments. The goal is to prevent severe adverse reactions by identifying patients at risk before chemotherapy begins.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) for the Huntington's Disease Grant Program, increasing its total funding for fiscal year 2025 to $701,000 (from an estimated $201,000). The funds will support grants to New Jersey-based institutions of higher education, non-profits, and research organizations to provide pre-symptomatic testing, neurology/psychiatry services, treatment, disease management, and counseling. It directly affects approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and about 7,000 at-risk individuals. Huntington's disease is a fatal, inherited condition causing progressive neurological decline without a cure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2085) establishes the "Innovation Partnership" to provide state funding for nonprofit organizations that support emerging technology businesses in New Jersey. It directly affects emerging tech companies in fields like cybersecurity, biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced materials - particularly minority-owned and women-owned businesses (defined as having at least 51% ownership by minorities or women). The key mechanism creates a state-funded "Fund" administered by the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, which will certify nonprofit "Innovation Partners" to provide financial assistance and resources to qualifying businesses. The bill requires these nonprofits to prioritize support for minority and women-led tech ventures, aiming to strengthen New Jersey's innovation ecosystem through targeted funding. The bill is pending before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

Maddy summaryAJR 87 designates March 10 of each year as "COVID-19 Memorial Day" in New Jersey to honor all victims of the pandemic. The resolution requests the Governor to lower state flags to half-staff and issue a proclamation encouraging public observance through memorial activities. This commemorative resolution, not a policy change, directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing an annual day of remembrance. It takes effect immediately upon passage and references New Jersey's pandemic timeline, including the first state death on March 10, 2020.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to add instruction about e-cigarette dangers to health education for students in grades 6-12, starting in the 2020-2021 school year. The curriculum must cover: nicotine content in e-cigarettes, how e-cigarette use can lead to addiction to tobacco or other drugs, health effects of chemicals like formaldehyde found in e-cigarettes, and the state's ban on e-cigarette use on school grounds. The state’s Education Commissioner will provide schools with sample lesson materials to support this teaching. The law directly affects all public school districts and students in grades 6-12 across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers a state income tax deduction equal to the capital gain realized from selling certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations. It directly affects landowners who sell property (either at full market value or for less than full value in a "bargain sale") to groups preserving land through programs like Green Acres, farmland preservation, or wildlife conservation. The deduction covers the profit from the sale portion, with specific rules for allocating costs in bargain sales where part is treated as a charitable donation. The policy aligns with federal tax treatment for conservation donations and applies to sales benefiting conservation programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, allowing taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to it through their state income tax return. The fund would provide grants up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for eligible military members, veterans, and their families who reside in New Jersey and demonstrate financial hardship. To qualify, applicants must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months, provide proof of hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant per year. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would administer the program, with funds annually appropriated from the relief fund for these grants.

Maddy summaryNJ A2657 provides a one-time $10,000 deduction from gross income for specific New Jersey taxpayers in 2020. It directly affects married couples filing jointly (or heads of household/surviving spouses) with taxable income under $250,000, and single filers or married filing separately with income under $125,000. The deduction is added to existing personal exemptions and applies only to the 2020 tax year. This policy change reduces taxable income for qualifying low-to-moderate income households, as specified in the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 1605) prohibits public school boards from teaching family life education, sex education, sexual health, sexual orientation, or gender identity to students in preschool through fourth grade. It directly affects school districts and educators in New Jersey who must stop providing these specific topics in early grades. The bill requires the State Board of Education to revise the statewide health education standards within 30 days to align with this prohibition. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.