Asm. Lou Greenwald

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows plastic recyclable material made from renewable biomass to count toward the state's recycled content requirements for containers and packaging. By amending existing environmental laws, the legislation expands the definition of "postconsumer recycled content" to include these plant-based plastics alongside traditional recycled materials. The rule applies to manufacturers and distributors of rigid plastic containers, glass containers, paper and plastic carryout bags, and plastic trash bags sold in the state. This change aims to provide more flexibility in meeting recycling targets by recognizing newer types of sustainable plastic inputs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties to enhance school safety and student mental health support. The initiative provides $15 million in funding to deliver clinical mental health services, such as counseling and crisis intervention, alongside security upgrades like active shooter training and protective equipment. Implementation requires collaboration between the Department of Education and other state agencies, with district selection based on reported violence and bullying data. At the end of the pilot period, the Commissioner of Education must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits companies from advertising generative artificial intelligence as capable of practicing regulated professions or occupations such as law, medicine, or accounting. The law applies to any person or entity developing or deploying AI systems in the state that generate text, audio, or visual outputs with minimal human oversight. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud offenses, subjecting violators to fines up to $10,000 for first offenses and $20,000 for subsequent ones, along with potential cease and desist orders. The legislation aims to prevent misleading public representations about AI capabilities while maintaining oversight of licensed professions.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3577) requires New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to collect specific data on professional and occupational license applications and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within six months. The report must include details like the number of pending applications, average processing times, common errors in incomplete applications, call volume categories from applicants, and funding for staff and technology. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Attorney General develop profession-specific training for new employees processing license applications and review outsourcing phone call handling. The law directly affects license applicants by requiring the state to track and report on application processing efficiency and support for the licensing division.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that certain volunteer workers - including firefighters, first aid/rescue squad members, emergency management volunteers, health care workers registered with the Emergency Health Care Provider Registry, and park/forest volunteers - receive the maximum workers' compensation benefit for work-related injuries or deaths, regardless of their outside employment. It removes the seven-day waiting period for these workers and bases compensation on the statutory maximum amount, not their actual income from other jobs. The bill clarifies existing law following a 2019 court ruling (Kocanowski v. Twp. of Bridgewater) that required this maximum benefit for volunteers. It directly affects eligible volunteer workers in emergency services, health care, and public land management roles across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to reject the SAVE America Act, a proposed federal law that would require voters to provide specific citizenship documents and photo identification matching their birth records. The bill directly addresses concerns that these new requirements could disproportionately affect women who have changed their names due to marriage or divorce, as well as other groups facing barriers to accessing in-person registration offices. By transmitting this resolution to federal leaders, New Jersey lawmakers are formally expressing their opposition to measures they believe would restrict voting access and undermine historical progress in women's suffrage. The measure serves as a statement of policy rather than a law that changes state statutes, focusing instead on influencing federal legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance carriers and Medicaid programs in New Jersey to pay licensed clinical laboratories for services regardless of whether those labs participate in a managed care plan. It mandates that non-participating labs receive reimbursement at the same rate as participating ones, while still allowing insurers to review services for medical necessity. Additionally, the legislation prohibits state Medicaid officials from forcing labs to join managed care networks as a condition for receiving payment or transitioning from fee-for-service to managed care systems.

Maddy summaryBill A 3571 allows counties, municipalities, and local agencies (like economic development organizations) to form regional partnerships for joint economic planning. These partnerships can include businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other local entities to develop strategies for attracting new businesses, retaining existing ones, redeveloping areas, and sharing project costs. Partnerships may access loans or matching grants for marketing, advertising, and business support programs. The bill also permits local governments to create alternative agreements for economic development, requiring approval from the Local Finance Board. (Bill A 3571, introduced January 13, 2026)

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3929) prohibits businesses from using facial recognition or biometric surveillance systems on customers at their physical locations, except when providing clear notice (like a visible sign) and using the system for a lawful purpose. Businesses must explain decisions to deny access or remove customers based on biometric data, and cannot sell or profit from collected biometric information. Violations carry fines up to $20,000 per offense, with a 30-day window to correct first violations without penalty. The law directly affects businesses operating physical premises and their customers in New Jersey.