Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a virtual power plant program by 2027. It directs the BPU to create a system where third-party aggregators coordinate customer-owned energy resources - like home batteries, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle chargers - to reduce peak electricity demand. The program must achieve a 500-megawatt reduction in peak demand by 2030, prioritize participation from low-income households and overburdened communities, and prohibit utilities from directly controlling customer devices. This directly affects electric utilities, customers with eligible energy resources, and grid operators by shifting energy use away from peak times to lower costs and improve grid reliability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living, etc.) in New Jersey to implement specific infection control measures during declared outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics. It mandates weekly rapid testing for all staff and immediate testing for symptomatic staff/residents, with facilities (for larger facilities) or county health boards (for smaller facilities) providing free rapid-result testing access. The bill also limits in-person visits to two pre-designated individuals per resident during outbreaks and requires facilities to isolate infected residents in separate rooms. These provisions directly affect facilities, their staff, residents, and visitors during public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects inmates in New Jersey state correctional facilities who report sexual abuse, harassment, or violence by staff. It requires the Corrections Commissioner to create a confidential, fee-free system for inmates to file complaints anonymously, with language access and clear information about reporting options. The bill prohibits staff from retaliating against reporting inmates through transfers, job changes, or other punitive actions, and mandates victim advocate support. It criminalizes both retaliation against inmates and staff failing to report abuse, punishable as a fourth-degree crime with up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1784) requires owners of certain public spaces - like theaters, libraries, medical waiting areas, banks, restaurants, and grocery checkout zones - to install induction loop listening systems during new construction or substantial renovations costing over $40,000. These systems wirelessly transmit sound to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoil features, reducing background noise for people with hearing loss. Owners must also display permanent signage indicating the system’s availability and submit biennial self-certifications confirming it remains functional. Exceptions apply if a building code agency determines installation would be impractical, based on the owner’s request during permit applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3037) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to adjust routes and hours for its motorbus, paratransit, and rail services - including light rail - within one year to better meet the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. NJT must first seek input from individuals with autism and their advocates before making any changes. The bill also mandates that NJT annually gather this input to assess whether current service adjustments are sufficient or if further changes are needed. It directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder by aiming to improve their access to public transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's definition of "personal data" to explicitly include a person's use of reproductive health care services. It directly affects residents seeking reproductive health care and entities handling their health data, such as providers and pharmacies. The key provision prohibits collecting prescription drug information related to reproductive health services in Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs), preventing this sensitive data from being shared with state drug monitoring systems. This change strengthens privacy protections by ensuring such health data cannot be used for purposes unrelated to patient care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of nine members including trafficking survivors and a law enforcement officer, will evaluate existing laws, review assistance programs, develop public awareness campaigns (including toll-free hotline signage), and submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state's General Fund to fund the council's operations, with the council's work ending upon report submission or one year after the World Cup, whichever occurs later. This directly affects New Jersey's state response to trafficking during the event, focusing on prevention, victim support, and coordination.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specific state facilities (like psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers) in New Jersey. It requires facilities to maintain specific ratios, such as 1 nurse for every 5 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse for every 2 patients in critical care units. The law aims to improve patient safety and reduce errors by ensuring adequate nursing coverage based on patient acuity, while requiring facilities to use acuity-based staffing systems to adjust for changing patient needs. These requirements apply to all direct-care registered nurses providing patient services, not administrative staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2279) requires New Jersey county prosecutors to collect and report data on all firearm-related incidents where no physical harm occurred. Prosecutors must submit specific details - including location, time, charges, and whether the firearm was used lawfully - for every such incident, regardless of case outcome. They would provide this data quarterly for three years to the Attorney General, who would then compile and publish a public report on the Department of Law's website. The law aims to create standardized data on non-injury shootings, which currently lack consistent reporting. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being superseded by P.L.2025, c.365.)

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 50) urges Congress to renew enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025. It does not create new law but asks federal lawmakers to extend financial assistance that helps over 19 million Americans afford health insurance, including more than 500,000 New Jersey residents using Get Covered NJ. The resolution notes that without renewal, average annual insurance costs for affected individuals would rise by $1,260, with seniors facing increases up to $1,860 yearly. It emphasizes the credits' role in keeping premiums low (nearly half of New Jersey enrollees pay $10 or less monthly) and preventing a surge in uninsured residents.