Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3566) creates a process for nursing homes, assisted living residences, and other licensed health care facilities to challenge inspection findings they disagree with. If a facility objects to a deficiency cited during a health inspection, it can request an independent third-party panel (three unbiased experts with no ties to the facility or Department of Health) to review the issue. The panel will decide whether to uphold, remove, or modify the deficiency and report its findings to the facility and the Department of Health; the Commissioner can then approve, reject, or adjust the panel’s decision. Funding for this process will come from the Department of Health’s budget, and the bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's certificate of need (CON) exemptions for healthcare facilities, specifically affecting hospitals providing inpatient maternity services. It exempts a 25% increase in intermediate/intensive bassinets (baby beds) and an upgrade in neonatal care level (e.g., from Level II to Level III), unless the facility is a designated regional perinatal center or reducing beds. The Department of Health must revise its CON process for neonatal expansions within 180 days to better align with parent needs and reduce patient transfers between hospitals. The exemption applies only to expansions, not reductions or changes at regional perinatal centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's nursing home assessment system to align with federal limits. It changes the current 6% cap on assessments (based on nursing home revenues) to allow either 6% or the maximum percentage permitted under federal law. The assessment applies only to non-Medicare patient days and excludes Medicare revenues. Nursing homes must pay the assessment only after federal approval of both the assessment rate and how funds will be distributed.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3527 reduces the tax rate on surplus lines insurance premiums from 5% to 3% for both policies purchased directly by insureds and those handled through surplus lines agents. This directly affects insurance agents, brokers, and policyholders who use non-admitted insurers for commercial coverage, such as property or casualty insurance. The bill amends existing tax provisions to lower the rate while maintaining that 3% of fire insurance tax revenue goes to New Jersey firemen's relief associations and the remaining 2% to the state. It excludes government coverage, life insurance, and disability insurance from this tax change and takes effect January 1, 2013.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3584) allows staff attorneys at New Jersey's Government Records Council to directly decide routine complaints about denied public records access, rather than requiring the full council to handle every case. It specifically authorizes these staff attorneys to receive, review, and issue decisions on complaints filed by individuals who were denied access to government records by a records custodian. For complex or novel cases, the full council would still convene after staff attorneys complete an initial review. This change streamlines the process for everyday complaints while preserving the council's role for more complicated disputes. The bill affects anyone seeking public records (e.g., citizens, journalists) and government agencies that deny access.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3552 prohibits selling, distributing, or importing products with deceptive "recyclable" claims (like the chasing arrows symbol) unless the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirms they are actually recyclable in the state. It requires the DEP to conduct a material characterization study by 2024 to define which products/packaging are recyclable based on two criteria: 60% of NJ households collect them curbside, and 60% of recycling facilities process them into new materials. The law directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling products with recycling claims in New Jersey. It is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and not yet law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3537) requires high school students to receive instruction on tuition assistance programs and student loan debt as part of their financial literacy graduation requirement, starting with the 2018-2019 ninth grade class. It mandates that students meet with a guidance counselor during 10th or 11th grade to discuss available grants, scholarships, loans, and dual enrollment options that can reduce college costs. The law specifies that instruction must cover student loan repayment requirements and consequences of default. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey high school students and school districts, aiming to improve informed decision-making about post-high school education financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey voters to approve any dedicated revenue source before the state or transportation authorities can issue bonds for transportation projects. It would apply specifically to funding for roads, bridges, transit systems, and related infrastructure (planning, construction, repair, etc.). The state would need to identify a specific revenue source (like a tax or fee) and secure voter approval at a general election prior to borrowing. This requirement would not apply to refinancing existing debt or emergencies, but would affect all future transportation bond issuances.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3536) would bar individuals who fail to report a lost or stolen handgun from purchasing a new handgun for 180 days. It directly affects gun owners who do not report a lost or stolen firearm to authorities within the required timeframe. The key mechanism requires prompt reporting of lost or stolen handguns; failure to do so triggers an automatic 180-day purchase prohibition under New Jersey's existing handgun permit rules. This change aims to enhance accountability for firearm loss while maintaining existing permit eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers to pay claims within 30 days for electronic submissions and 40 days for paper submissions if the claim is complete and meets coverage criteria. If a claim is incomplete (e.g., missing documentation or coding errors), carriers must notify healthcare providers within the same deadlines about what is needed. The bill also mandates standardized electronic claim forms, requires acknowledgment of electronic claim receipts within two business days, and prohibits carriers from delaying payment due to pending coordination of benefits information. These provisions directly affect insurers, healthcare providers, and patients by reducing claim processing delays.