Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill A3125 bans the sale of menstrual products containing regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals linked to health concerns. It directly affects manufacturers selling products like tampons, pads, cups, or underwear in New Jersey, prohibiting both intentionally added PFAS and PFAS above trace levels. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a testing system using approved labs, with results available for inspection by the Department of Health. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under state law, with penalties up to $20,000 per offense, and takes effect two years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1877) helps New Jersey National Guard members and reserve military personnel who were called to active federal duty before their civil service exam list expired. It ensures they retain eligibility for fire department positions if they met the maximum age requirement at the original exam's closing date. The law allows them to be placed on a new civil service list using their original exam score, without reapplying for age eligibility, and covers both fire department and existing police department positions under similar rules. The policy applies to those returning from military service who qualify as veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It provides a proportional exemption based on disability percentage (up to 100%), covering veterans with conditions like paralysis, amputations, or total blindness, and caps partial exemptions at $10,000. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions. Crucially, the state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions to offset costs. The law amends existing veteran property tax protections under P.L.1948, c.259.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all State employees with "director" status - defined as those with authority to direct other employees or take corrective action - to complete mental health first aid training. The training must cover recognizing early signs of mental health issues, common disorders, and proper intervention and referral strategies. The Civil Service Commission will oversee implementation, working with State employers to identify eligible directors and establish training requirements. It directly affects State directors across all government branches, aiming to improve workplace support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new sentencing consideration in New Jersey for defendants who were victims of abuse. It allows courts to weigh whether a defendant was subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse (including domestic violence) that contributed to their crime, applying to most offenses except murder or certain sex offenses requiring registration. The court must consider evidence of the abuse presented during trial or plea proceedings - even if the defendant didn’t raise it as a defense - and may reduce sentences or order resentencing for eligible individuals. This change aims to account for trauma-driven criminal behavior in sentencing decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers who serve as active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces for the entire taxable year to deduct $250 from their gross income when calculating state income tax. It directly affects military members stationed in New Jersey who maintain full-time active duty status throughout a tax year. The deduction reduces taxable income by a fixed $250 amount for qualifying taxpayers. The law would take effect immediately upon enactment for tax years beginning on or after the following January 1.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 943) requires all health insurance plans sold in New Jersey - including hospital service contracts, medical service corporations, individual policies, group plans, and health maintenance organizations - to cover FDA-approved anti-obesity medications for chronic weight management. It mandates that coverage for these medications be provided "to the same extent as for any other medical condition" under the policy, meaning no additional cost-sharing or restrictions beyond standard medical coverage. The law applies to all plans issued or renewed in New Jersey after its effective date, affecting millions of residents enrolled in private health insurance. It specifically defines covered medications as those approved by the FDA for obesity treatment, not lifestyle products. The bill does not change premiums or create new funding mechanisms - it simply requires existing insurance plans to include these medications in standard coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 962) was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it duplicated provisions already enacted in P.L.2025, c.179. The text describes standard adult guardianship procedures, including temporary guardianship appointments for incapacitated adults, bond requirements, and court oversight. It does not address filing guardianship complaints for minors six months before age 18, as the title suggests - this appears to be an error in the bill's description. The actual content focuses on court processes for adults needing guardianship services, not minor-related changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $750,000 from the General Fund to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) for a public awareness campaign. The campaign will inform crime victims about their rights under the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights and available VCCO services, including compensation assistance. The funds are a supplemental appropriation added to the existing 2023 budget for the Department of Law and Public Safety. (Procedural bill; no new laws enacted.)