Asm. Bill Moen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million Urban Enterprise Zone Microloan Program within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide low-interest loans to qualifying businesses operating in designated Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ) or UEZ-Impacted districts. It targets independently owned businesses that lack sufficient resources to launch or expand, requiring them to create at least five full-time jobs (with 50% being zone residents) and demonstrate business viability. Loans carry up to 3% interest (0% for veteran-owned businesses), span up to six years with one year deferred, and include partial forgiveness if the business fails after a genuine effort. Funds are drawn from a non-lapsing revolving loan fund, with repayments and interest recycled to sustain the program.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1877) requires health insurance carriers to offer healthcare providers - such as doctors, dentists, and hospitals - more than one payment method (e.g., check, electronic transfer, or credit card) for reimbursement, rather than forcing them to accept only one option. It mandates that carriers disclose any fees tied to specific payment methods before the first payment and provide clear instructions for selecting methods, while requiring a 30-day turnaround for changing payment methods upon provider request. The bill also prohibits carriers from using a provider’s preferred payment method to decide whether to grant credentials for network participation. These changes apply to all health and dental insurance plans in the state, with enforcement handled by the Department of Banking and Insurance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of single-family homes with installed solar panels to disclose specific information to buyers. Sellers must provide the name and contact details of both the solar panel installer and the company owning or leasing the panels (if different), plus clear terms about whether lease or power purchase agreement rights are being transferred to the new owner. If false claims are made about this information, sellers face liability for $1,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. The law directly affects home sellers in New Jersey with solar installations and aims to ensure transparency during real estate transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Gold Star Family Scholarship Program, providing financial aid to spouses, parents, children, legal guardians, or siblings of New Jersey military members who died while on active duty. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will award scholarships covering up to the average tuition at New Jersey's four-year public colleges for undergraduate study. Funding comes from three sources: a $2 annual surcharge on personalized license plates, voluntary taxpayer contributions via state income tax returns, and an initial $100,000 state appropriation. HESAA will set eligibility criteria and determine award amounts based on the cost of attendance and other available financial aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Small Business Assistance Commission" to study how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted small businesses in New Jersey, specifically focusing on those with fewer than 100 employees. The commission - composed of 11 members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and business groups - will examine pandemic-related economic challenges, government aid programs (like grants and loans), and recovery efforts. It must produce a report within 12 months detailing effective support measures, key struggles faced by businesses, and needs like personal protective equipment. The findings aim to help future policy decisions to better support small businesses during crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program to improve sickle cell disease care in New Jersey, appropriating $10.2 million from the General Fund. The Department of Health will competitively select federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), prioritizing those in Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, and other high-need areas, to develop comprehensive treatment programs. The program requires participating centers to provide coordinated care (including telehealth where permitted), build specialized medical workforce capacity, conduct outreach, promote awareness, and collect state-wide data on sickle cell disease incidence and healthcare use. Funds must be used for these purposes during the three-year pilot, with unspent funds reverting to the General Fund after expiration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey professional licensing boards to calculate the national average time other states take to approve initial credentials for each regulated profession or occupation. Boards must collect this data from other states (or national associations) within six months of the bill's effective date, then use the approved national average as their processing standard for new applications. If a board fails to meet the national average after one year, it must use licensing fees to hire a third-party expert to identify best practices for faster processing, which must be implemented immediately. The Division of Consumer Affairs reviews compliance annually to ensure boards meet the established timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Early Childhood as a principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch. It transfers numerous early childhood-related responsibilities from the Departments of Education, Human Services, Children and Families, and Health to this new department. The transfer includes programs for children from pregnancy through age eight, such as preschool education, child care services, home visitation programs, and early intervention services. The bill specifies the structure of the new department, including the role of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, and requires coordination among existing departments for an orderly transition of programs and staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students at New Jersey public and nonpublic schools, colleges, and licensed educational institutions to use their preferred name on diplomas without needing legal documentation proving a name or gender change. Schools may deny a preferred name request only if it misrepresents identity, avoids legal obligations, harms the school's reputation, or is inappropriate. For students who later legally change their name or gender, schools must update records and reissue diplomas/transcripts using the new legal name upon providing acceptable documents like a driver's license, passport, or court order. A nominal fee may be charged for reissuing documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year "Security Deposit Assistance Pilot Program" in eight New Jersey counties (Passaic, Union, Essex, Hudson, Gloucester, Atlantic, Camden, and Mercer) to help low-income renters pay security deposits. It appropriates $400,000 to create a dedicated fund, allowing eligible households (meeting federal "very low income" criteria) to pay one-twelfth of their security deposit monthly over 12 months instead of a full upfront payment. Landlords cannot refuse tenants for participating, and the program reimburses landlords for tenant lease violations (up to the unpaid deposit amount), with tenants later repaying the fund. The program requires a final evaluation report after three years to determine potential expansion.