Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey health insurance plans (both hospital and medical service corporations) to cover specific lipedema treatments, directly affecting patients diagnosed with this chronic condition and their insurers. It mandates coverage for compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, medical nutrition therapy, mental health care, and medically necessary lipectomies (including pre- and post-surgery appointments). Insurers must accept physician diagnoses and surgeon documentation (including photos for diagnosis support) but cannot deny coverage based solely on photos, and must cover the full number of lipectomies deemed necessary by the surgeon. The bill also requires prior authorization for lipectomies to remain valid for one year without arbitrary revocation, aligning with existing prior authorization rules.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires scrap metal businesses in New Jersey to verify the identity of sellers and obtain written disclosure about whether scrap metal contains propulsion batteries (like lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles) before purchasing. If a seller states the scrap doesn’t contain such batteries, businesses must inspect it to confirm. Businesses must also maintain 5-year records of all battery disclosures and inspections, and make these records available to law enforcement. The law directly affects scrap metal businesses and sellers of scrap metal containing batteries, aiming to prevent theft and environmental hazards.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules and regulations for small modular nuclear reactors, defined as reactors with up to 300 megawatts of capacity that require U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to incentivize construction and operation of these reactors. The BPU must consider whether proposed reactors will replace capacity lost from retiring coal or natural gas facilities and whether they will create job opportunities for workers displaced by those retirements. The bill also requires reactor owners to meet all federal requirements before storing spent nuclear fuel on-site.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey casino licensees from using non-wagering casino games to solicit future gambling. It specifically bans casino operators from conducting games that offer rewards for participation or encourage future wagering, even if players don't make an initial monetary investment. The bill defines "non-wagering casino game" as any experience equivalent to licensed casino games but without requiring real money to play. This regulation aims to prevent casinos from using free games with fictitious points that might attract underage individuals or entice people to eventually gamble with real money.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A3007) raises the maximum age for residents in New Jersey pediatric long-term care facilities from 19 to 26 years old. It directly affects these facilities and young adults aged 19-26 who currently may not qualify for such care under existing law. The key provision amends licensing requirements to allow facilities to admit and provide services to residents age 26 or younger. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules, and the change takes effect immediately. (Based on bill text, current law limits pediatric care to under age 19.)
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students who meet income, asset, and residency requirements and are enrolled full-time in good academic standing at a public or private college or university. Currently, the program covers only full-time undergraduate students pursuing associate's or bachelor's degrees. The state must update its eligibility rules and seek federal funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant to cover the costs of this expansion. This change directly affects graduate and post-graduate students who are parents and rely on the program for child care support.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords in New Jersey to disclose lead drinking water hazards to tenants before lease agreements, including information about lead service lines, building construction dates (pre-1986 properties may contain lead), and recent lead exceedance notices. Landlords must provide a standardized disclosure statement within 90 days of the bill's effective date, with exemptions for newer buildings (post-1986), lead-safe properties, and seasonal rentals. Tenants can request free lead testing from water systems, which must test annually upon request (or every 60 days if lead levels exceed standards), and landlords cannot obstruct replacement of lead service lines - tenants may terminate leases without penalty if obstruction occurs. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 for repeated non-compliance.
Maddy summaryS 4506 exempts minor league baseball players covered by a union-negotiated agreement between Minor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association from New Jersey's wage and hour laws and recordkeeping requirements. The exemption applies only while the agreement is active and requires the league and union to notify the state labor department within one week of any agreement termination or replacement. This aligns state law with the 2023 agreement, which provides players with salaries, health care, housing, retirement benefits, and other protections that conflict with standard wage laws due to minor league baseball's irregular schedules.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers of first responders (law enforcement officers and paid firefighters) to cover workers' compensation for up to 12 hours of confidential mental health counseling after a "critical incident," such as witnessing violence, serious injury, or trauma during duty. Additional up to 24 hours of counseling may be covered if a mental health professional deems it necessary for the responder's well-being. The law also mandates confidentiality for mental health communications between first responders and peer support teams or resiliency program officers, with limited exceptions if a responder poses a risk to themselves or others. All counseling must be completed within one year of the first session and cannot require use of the responder's accrued paid leave.
Maddy summarySJR 154 directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection's capacity market pricing model to determine if it ensures reliable electricity at the lowest cost, requiring a report within 12 months. It also mandates the state to collaborate with neighboring PJM states to promote affordable energy practices, urge PJM to implement market reforms protecting ratepayers from rising prices, and accelerate reviews of new power generation projects. The resolution addresses concerns about increasing electricity costs for New Jersey customers, linked to PJM's current pricing structure and delays in new energy resources entering the grid. This action aims to align PJM's operations with New Jersey's energy affordability goals under the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act.