Asm. Balvir Singh

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new entities in New Jersey: the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health) and the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission. It requires hospitals, health insurers, and other healthcare providers to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care, emergency visits, and physician services. The Commission will set annual benchmarks for healthcare cost growth and hospital pricing, monitor entities exceeding these benchmarks, and may impose public transparency requirements or civil penalties for noncompliance. These provisions directly affect all New Jersey hospitals, health insurers, and healthcare providers by mandating transparency in pricing and cost reporting to promote affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that when a vaccine is administered in New Jersey, the recipient is automatically enrolled in the state's Immunization Information System (NJIIS) unless they or their parent/guardian (for minors) provide a written opt-out request. It applies to all individuals not already enrolled, including adults and children, with newborns (born on or after January 1, 1998) automatically enrolled at birth under existing rules. The system stores vaccination records to help healthcare providers and schools ensure timely immunizations, improve vaccination rates, and respond to disease outbreaks. Individuals can request to view, correct, or remove their records from the system at any time.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3128 requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations with no out-of-pocket costs to patients. It applies to group and individual health insurance contracts, mandating that insurers pay for these exams without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found during screenings or detected another way, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality is present. The law aligns with National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines and applies to all plans except those specifically structured as medical savings accounts under federal law. This directly affects all New Jersey residents with health insurance who may need these breast exams.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts, receiving schools, and nonpublic schools to train all employees - including substitutes - on school safety protocols, including how to report threats. It mandates that school employees immediately notify principals about threats involving potential death or serious injury, prompting principals to alert law enforcement. If law enforcement confirms a credible threat, principals must notify students, parents, staff, and place the individual on a restricted access list shared with all schools in the district and neighboring districts. The training must address accessibility needs for students with disabilities and align with state safety guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The packets must include the NJ Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Guide, the VA’s "Federal Benefits for Veterans" booklet, and resources for finding additional benefits. Information must be available in both physical copies at MVC offices and online. The law applies to initial licenses, renewals, probationary licenses, and veteran-designated ID cards. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A2564 requires all teaching certification candidates - both new graduates from approved educator programs and out-of-state teachers - to complete youth mental health education training by the 2027-2028 school year. This includes either a course or a state-developed online module covering youth mental health risks, creating safe classroom environments, and cultural competence. Approved educator programs must update their curricula to include this requirement and submit revisions to the Department of Education. Candidates with comparable training completed within the past five years may apply for an exemption. The bill applies directly to educators seeking or holding teaching certifications in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires workers' compensation, personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance, and health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medical cannabis costs for qualifying patients under existing law (P.L.2009, c.307). It directly affects workers with job-related injuries, auto accident victims, and health plan enrollees diagnosed with qualifying conditions like chronic pain or cancer. Key provisions mandate insurers to pay dispensaries directly or reimburse patients upon proof of payment, while allowing federal intervention under the Controlled Substances Act to override coverage. The bill does not require coverage for recreational use or affect federal drug laws beyond the specified exception.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a background check reveals someone is prohibited from buying firearms or ammunition. Specifically, if a background check shows a person has a criminal record, domestic violence conviction, or other disqualifying history (as defined in N.J.S. 2C:39-7), the State Police must inform the local chief law enforcement officer. Retail gun dealers must run these background checks and submit results to the State Police, who then trigger the local notification. The law applies to all firearm and ammunition purchases requiring a background check, directly affecting dealers, State Police, and local police departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to reward employees who report tax law violations by employers in New Jersey's construction industry. Whistleblowers who provide specific, credible information leading to an administrative or judicial action against an employer can receive 15% to 30% of recovered taxes, penalties, and interest, or up to 10% if the tip came from media or government sources. It excludes employees who obtained information through their official duties or planned the violations themselves, and includes protections against retaliation under New Jersey's Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The program applies specifically to employers engaged in building, construction, repair, or maintenance work as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide free, periodic cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters, starting three years after they begin service. It covers 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and applies to all volunteer firefighters serving in fire districts, departments, or companies across the state. Physicians in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) must offer these screenings with no cost to firefighters, and the state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years. The bill extends existing paid firefighter benefits to unpaid volunteers, eliminating co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for screenings.