Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to order wireless phone service providers to transfer billing responsibility and ownership of a phone number to victims of domestic violence or stalking who have obtained a final restraining order. The court issues a separate order to the provider, specifying the victim's details and ensuring their contact information remains confidential from the abuser. After the transfer, the victim assumes all ongoing costs for the phone number and associated devices, though providers may require standard account setup documentation. If a provider cannot complete the transfer due to technical issues, they must notify both the victim and court within 72 hours.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1211) upgrades criminal penalties for stealing payment card data and requires merchants to prevent such theft. It increases penalties for using scanning devices to steal card information: first-time use becomes a third-degree crime (up to 5 years in prison), while repeated offenses causing $50,000+ in theft become a second-degree crime (5-10 years). Merchants must implement reasonable security measures like regular terminal inspections, employee training on scanning devices, security cameras, and encryption software, as defined by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law applies to all businesses accepting payment cards in New Jersey and takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1700) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create a public awareness campaign about perinatal anxiety and develop policies for healthcare providers. It directly affects pregnant and postpartum women (within one year of childbirth), healthcare providers (including doctors and nurse midwives), and birthing facilities. Key provisions mandate that providers screen patients for perinatal anxiety at least once per pregnancy trimester, before discharge after birth, and during early postpartum visits - using either the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also educate patients and family members about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources, with a focus on including partners and caregivers in the support process.

Maddy summaryBill A3598, designated as Claudia's Law, requires healthcare providers to include specific information in patient chest x-ray reports when an abnormality is detected. It mandates that the notification state: "Your chest x-ray shows an abnormality that may be associated with a risk factor for various illnesses" and advises patients to discuss results with their healthcare provider to determine if further screening is needed. This applies directly to patients receiving chest x-ray results with abnormalities, ensuring they receive clear, standardized information. The law aims to increase patient awareness and encourage proactive conversations about personal health risks with their doctors. The Commissioner of Health must adopt implementing rules under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for New Jersey's Department of Human Services to request court-appointed receivers for service providers that fail to meet health, safety, and care standards for individuals with developmental disabilities. The Department must first demonstrate substantial violations of standards or dangerous conditions at a provider's site, giving the provider a reasonable time to remedy issues before seeking court intervention. If approved, a receiver would take control of the provider's operations, manage finances, hire staff, and transition care to new providers approved by the Department. The bill creates specific criteria for receiver appointment, including repeated safety violations, inability to pay staff, or failure to maintain required staffing levels. This gives the Department a direct mechanism to protect vulnerable individuals when providers fail to maintain safe, adequate services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system for approved agencies to facilitate temporary placements of vulnerable individuals (infants, children under 18, parents under 21 with infants, or pregnant women under 21) in volunteers' homes during crisis situations like homelessness, domestic violence, or lack of safe housing. Approved agencies must conduct home studies that include child abuse registry checks and state/federal criminal history checks for prospective volunteers and all household members 18 or older, with costs paid by the prospective volunteer. Agencies must provide weekly oversight, assist parents in restoring stability, and maintain records of all background checks and home study determinations before placements occur. The Department of Children and Families must review and approve all home studies prior to placement. This bill amends existing confidentiality laws to permit disclosure of child abuse registry information to prospective volunteers for these temporary placements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes governance and financial standards for developmental disability service providers in New Jersey that bill over $250,000 annually in state-funded services. It requires these "covered provider agencies" to have independent boards of directors (with at least 5 members, majority independent), post audited financial statements online, and limit non-client spending to 15% of program revenue. The bill also mandates policies against conflicts of interest and retaliation, requires full-time site managers for larger facilities, and prohibits loans to staff or board members. The $300,000 appropriation funds additional staff to monitor compliance with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1825) establishes guidelines for health insurance plans regarding "step therapy" protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications before coverage is provided for a preferred medication selected by their doctor. It requires insurers to base these protocols on clinical guidelines developed by expert panels with conflict-of-interest safeguards, and creates a clear process for patients to request exceptions when step therapy would be harmful or ineffective. Insurers must grant or deny exception requests within 72 hours (24 hours in emergencies), and must report on exception requests and outcomes to the state insurance commissioner. This affects all health insurance carriers in New Jersey, including those offering SHBP, SEHBP, and Medicaid plans, as well as the patients and healthcare providers who use these plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to transfer Schedule II prescriptions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications between pharmacies, directly affecting patients who need these medications. Currently, patients must obtain a new prescription from their doctor if a pharmacy cannot fill an ADHD prescription; this bill enables direct pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfers instead. The transfer must comply with federal regulations and applies only to ADHD prescriptions for Schedule II drugs (stronger medications like Adderall), not all Schedule II substances. This change aims to improve access during medication shortages and reduce patient wait times.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require courts to order counseling for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence in their household when appropriate. It establishes a legal presumption that custody of children should be awarded to the non-abusive parent upon entry of a final restraining order in domestic violence cases. The bill permits courts to order the abusive parent to pay for the child's counseling services and requires documentation of payment. It also mandates that victim and child whereabouts be kept confidential in subsequent child support proceedings. The bill aims to provide additional protections for children affected by domestic violence while prioritizing the safety of domestic violence victims.