Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryS 1965 requires New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes and assisted living residences) to have a consultant pharmacist and either a provider pharmacist or an in-house pharmacy director. It mandates an interdisciplinary pharmacy committee - comprising the facility administrator, nursing staff, and consultant pharmacist - to meet quarterly and maintain records. The bill also prohibits consultant pharmacists from having conflicts of interest with facility pharmacy staff and requires proper Drug Enforcement Administration registration for facilities storing controlled substances. These requirements take effect immediately, with the Health Commissioner authorized to create implementing rules. The bill directly affects all licensed long-term care facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey nursing homes to have a licensed pharmacist serving as either a consultant pharmacist or director of pharmaceutical services, and to establish an interdisciplinary pharmacy committee. The committee, which must include the facility administrator, nursing staff representative, and consultant pharmacist, must meet at least quarterly and maintain detailed records of its work. Nursing homes must also appoint a consultant pharmacist who avoids conflicts of interest with the facility's pharmacy staff, and must ensure proper handling of controlled substances if kept on-site. These requirements apply to all licensed nursing homes in New Jersey, aiming to standardize and oversee medicine management for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A6119) expands New Jersey's list of healthcare projects exempt from the certificate of need (CON) requirement. It specifically exempts hospitals and maternity facilities from needing a CON for two actions: adding baby beds (intermediate/intensive bassinets) or increasing their neonatal care level - regardless of existing neonatal care certification. However, reducing baby beds or decreasing neonatal care levels would still require a CON. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities providing inpatient maternity services seeking to expand neonatal care capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4894) updates New Jersey law to replace all references to the federal "Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices" (ACIP) with references to the New Jersey Department of Health. It affects state agencies that have rules or regulations citing ACIP recommendations for vaccinations or immunizations. The bill requires agencies to revise their rules to use the Department of Health's recommendations instead of ACIP guidance, but does not change existing vaccination requirements or policies. This is a procedural update to align state law with state authority, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryBill A6166 revises New Jersey law to update references from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the New Jersey Department of Health in three specific statutes. This technical correction aligns statutory language with current practice, ensuring state immunization policies cite the New Jersey Department of Health instead of the federal committee. The bill does not alter existing requirements for student meningococcal immunizations, childhood vaccination recommendations, or healthcare facility influenza programs. It simply modernizes legal references without changing policy or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary treatments for perimenopause and menopause to the same extent as coverage for other medical conditions. Covered treatments include hormonal therapies, non-hormonal medications, behavioral health services, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health screenings and treatments, preventative services for related conditions like cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and counseling. The law applies to all health insurance carriers in the state, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, and health maintenance organizations. Insurers must also provide clear information about covered treatments to policyholders. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, repealing the previous "Pet Purchase Protection Act." It establishes a $500 fine for violations and allows pet shops to sell other animals or pet supplies, while enabling collaboration with shelters to showcase adoptable animals without exchanging payment. The bill defines "unfit for purchase" for animals and specifies that an animal's death within 14 days of sale (except by accident) would be considered evidence of being unfit. It also prohibits animal rescue organizations, shelters, and pounds from obtaining animals from breeders or brokers in exchange for compensation. The law does not affect pet dealers (not pet shops) or consumer rights for animals purchased from them.

Maddy summaryThe "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey" requires all voting policies to be interpreted in ways that maximize voting access for all eligible voters, particularly members of racial, color, and language-minority groups. It prohibits voting practices that burden protected class members and mandates language assistance for limited English proficient voters. The bill creates a preclearance process for voting changes in jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations and establishes the New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain public voting data. These provisions aim to ensure equitable access to voting and protect against voter suppression and vote dilution.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4193) requires licensed healthcare providers offering prenatal care in New Jersey to offer and provide, upon request, screening for postpartum depression to pregnant patients with a history of depression. It directly affects pregnant patients who have experienced depression and the healthcare professionals treating them. The key provision adds a new requirement to existing law, mandating that providers screen these specific patients during prenatal visits when requested. This expands current policies that already require education about postpartum depression and postnatal screenings for all new mothers. The law aims to improve early detection and support for at-risk patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "fertility fraud" for health care practitioners who perform assisted reproduction treatments (like IVF or artificial insemination) without a patient's written consent, using either the practitioner's own reproductive material or another person's material. If convicted, the practitioner faces a third-degree crime penalty (up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both) and must have their medical license permanently revoked. The law also extends the statute of limitations to 20 years from the treatment date (or 10 years from when the victim discovers the fraud). It directly affects fertility clinics and health care providers in New Jersey who conduct reproductive treatments.