Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a single New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council within the Department of Health, replacing two existing councils (youth and elderly-focused) to streamline suicide prevention efforts. The council will examine prevention needs, make recommendations to relevant entities, and coordinate data collection across state agencies. The bill also requires school staff to complete suicide prevention training, creates a confidential reporting system for suicide attempts and deaths (with legal protections for reporters), and mandates annual reports on suicide data to guide prevention strategies. These changes aim to improve coordination, training, and data collection for suicide prevention across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryAJR 52 designates May of each year as "Law Enforcement and Correctional Police Officer Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with activities honoring these officers' service. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but serves as a symbolic recognition of their roles and sacrifices.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt Purple Heart recipients from paying motor vehicle registration fees, driver's license fees, and identification card fees in New Jersey. It amends New Jersey's motor vehicle and licensing laws (specifically R.S. 39:3-10, P.L.1948, c.28, and P.L.1980, c.47) to explicitly include Purple Heart recipients in the list of veterans eligible for these fee exemptions. The exemption applies to residents of New Jersey who have received the Purple Heart medal or its successor military honor for service in the U.S. Armed Forces. This change would provide immediate financial relief for Purple Heart recipients regarding routine vehicle and identification documentation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Dog Trainer Licensure Board within the Division of Consumer Affairs to regulate professional dog training services. It requires dog trainers who provide training for compensation to obtain a license or provisional permit, with requirements including holding certification from an approved program, being at least 18 years old, and demonstrating good professional character. The board will establish rules for licensing, including requiring compliance with standards that prohibit harsh training methods, and will handle disciplinary actions for violations of the law. Exemptions include military K-9 training, law enforcement K-9 training, and services provided by kennel clubs to members under specific conditions. The board will consist of nine members with specific professional backgrounds and will set fees for licensing and renewal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and nonpublic schools in New Jersey to keep at least one portable, FDA-approved anti-choking device in the cafeteria, school nurse's office, and other similar locations during school hours and events. Devices must be placed in unlocked, easily accessible spots with clear identifying signs. Schools must also train staff - including nurses and employees - in airway management and device use, and develop written policies for emergency response. The state will reimburse schools for the costs of purchasing and implementing these devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to create a statewide database tracking real-time shelter bed availability for homeless individuals, using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). It directly affects homeless shelters (excluding domestic violence shelters) that receive state funding from the Departments of Community Affairs or Human Services, requiring them to update bed availability within one hour of changes. Shelters must cooperate with the database to maintain eligibility for state funding, enabling operators to quickly direct people to available beds in nearby facilities. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2802) requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Human Services to seek federal Medicaid waivers to secure funding for new graduate medical education training spots focused on behavioral health care. If approved, it would create a process for medical training programs to apply for Medicaid funds to add these specialized slots. The bill directly affects graduate medical education programs in New Jersey, enabling them to expand training in behavioral health care through existing Medicaid funding mechanisms. It does not create new state spending but leverages federal Medicaid resources to address a specific training gap.

Maddy summaryMichelle's Law requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider, regardless of the patient's age. This expands current coverage, which only requires mammograms for women 40 and older or younger women with specific risk factors like family history of breast cancer. The bill also mandates coverage for additional testing like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if recommended by a provider. This affects health insurance companies, requiring them to cover these services without prior authorization when recommended by a healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Statewide Farmland Preservation Formula" to determine the value of farmland to be acquired for preservation purposes. The formula requires the committee to conduct appraisals, consider values in neighboring areas, assess agricultural importance, evaluate natural resources, and factor in elements like inflation, soil quality, and land size. Landowners would receive multiple value determinations, with the highest value used as the basis for acquisition negotiations. This applies to farmland preservation efforts using state funds, including the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund. The committee would adopt rules for this formula, which would initially be effective for up to three years before needing formal re-adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Kratom Consumer Protection Act" to regulate kratom products, directly affecting retailers and consumers. It bans sales to anyone under 21 (requiring ID verification via transaction scans), prohibits products with harmful substances or synthetic alkaloids, and limits 7-hydroxymitragynine to under 2% of alkaloid content. Retailers must label products with mitragynine/7-hydroxymitragynine levels and serving directions. Violations incur fines ($500 first offense, $1,000 second) or 3-year sales bans for repeat offenses, with the Department of Health overseeing registration and safety standards.